In the Brazilian fairytale of 'Why the Lamb is Meek' we get the answer to why people say "as meek as a lamb". We also get to meet a very, very mean toad.
All in Folklore
Ep. 857 - King Bean - An Italian Fairytale
'King Bean' is an Italian love story of sorts, but it also includes some witches, murder and a transforming King. A little something for everyone.
Ep. 856 - Zelinda and the Monster - An Italian Fairytale
'Zelinda and the Monster' is an Italian version of 'Beauty and the Beast' where the beast is much, much less charming and much, much more realistic.
Ep. 855 - The King of Love - An Italian Fairytale
'The King of Love' is the first story in Thomas Crane's "Italian Popular Tales" and has so many pieces of other tale hidden inside it almost became a challenge to find them all!
Ep. 854 - Jorinda and Jorindel - A Brothers Grimm Fairytale
'Jorinda and Jorindel' is one of those fairytales that I'm quite honestly surprised that I haven't read before. True love, a wicked fairy and a magic flower - what's not to love?
Ep. 853 - Hans in Luck - A Brothers Grimm Fairytale
One of my favorite fairytales (and one of the very first I read way back in 2016) 'Hans in Luck' is the story of a man who gradually loses everything, but still praises his "good luck".
Ep. 852 - The Golden Bird - A Brothers Grimm Fairytale
'The Golden Bird' is a classic tale from the Brothers Grimm about a boy who just won't listen to the good advice from an enchanted fox, until he really has no choice.
Ep. 851 - The Quarrel of the Monkey and the Crab - A Japanese Folktale
'The Quarrel of the Monkey and the Crab' is a story of betrayal and revenge, all over a persimmon.
Ep. 850 - The Sagacious Monkey and the Boar - A Japanese Folktale
'The Sagacious Monkey and the Boar' is a story in the tradition of 'Old Sultan', one of my favorite pieces of folklore.