Fabulous Folktales: English Stories & Translations

Nov 3, 2025 by Admin 51 views

Hey folks, ever been captivated by a story that's been passed down through generations? You know, those amazing tales that feel like they've got a life of their own? That's the magic of folklore, my friends! Today, we're diving deep into some seriously cool English folktales, complete with translations to help you fully immerse yourself in the storytelling. Get ready for a journey filled with adventure, magic, and life lessons, all wrapped up in some seriously compelling narratives. This article will break down several key stories to help you gain a better understanding of the English language and its folk tales!

Unveiling the World of Folktales: What Makes Them Special?

So, what exactly is folklore, anyway? Simply put, it's the traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed down orally or by example. These stories aren't just for entertainment; they're like little windows into the past, offering insights into a culture's values, fears, and hopes. Each tale acts as a time capsule, preserving the essence of a society's experiences and perspectives. They often feature common themes like the triumph of good over evil, the importance of honesty, and the consequences of greed. Think of it like a cultural fingerprint, unique to each region and community.

Folktales come in all shapes and sizes, from epic adventures to simple moral fables. They can feature humans, animals, mythical creatures, or a mix of everything! The beauty of folklore lies in its adaptability. Over time, stories evolve, morphing and changing as they're retold by different people in different places. This constant evolution is what keeps these tales alive and relevant, ensuring they resonate with new generations. The original creators are often unknown, adding an air of mystery and lending them a timeless quality. This anonymity allows the stories to feel universal, speaking to the shared human experience. These stories also provide a glimpse into the history of how cultures have been shaped over time. They help us remember the past. They're a reminder that we are all connected through the power of stories. These elements, combined, create a rich and diverse tapestry of human experience, which is what makes folklore so captivating.

The Three Little Pigs: A Classic Tale of Building and Perseverance

Alright, let's kick things off with a classic: The Three Little Pigs. This is one of the most famous folktales out there, and for good reason. It's got everything: suspense, drama, and a valuable life lesson. It's a great tale to practice the English language and is one of the most well-known. Here's the gist, guys: there were three little piggies who decided to build their own houses. The first pig, being a bit of a slacker, built his house of straw. It was quick and easy, but not exactly sturdy. The second pig went for a house of sticks, which was a bit more effort, but still not super solid. Finally, the third pig, the smart one, built his house of bricks. Now, along comes the Big Bad Wolf, huffing and puffing, trying to blow the houses down. He easily destroys the houses of straw and sticks, but the brick house? Nope! The third pig's house stands strong, teaching us the importance of hard work, planning, and perseverance. It's a simple story, but it packs a punch, folks!

Here's the English version:

Once upon a time, there were three little pigs who went out into the world to seek their fortunes.
The first little pig met a man with a bundle of straw and said, "Please, sir, will you give me that straw to build a house?"
The man gave him the straw, and the little pig built a house of straw.
The second little pig met a man with a bundle of sticks and said, "Please, sir, will you give me those sticks to build a house?"
The man gave him the sticks, and the little pig built a house of sticks.
The third little pig met a man with a load of bricks and said, "Please, sir, will you give me those bricks to build a house?"
The man gave him the bricks, and the little pig built a house of bricks.
Now, the big bad wolf came to the first little pig’s house and said, "Little pig, little pig, let me in."
The little pig said, "Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin."
The wolf said, "Then I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll blow your house down."
And he huffed and he puffed and he blew the house down.
The wolf ate the first little pig.
The big bad wolf went to the second little pig’s house and said, "Little pig, little pig, let me in."
The little pig said, "Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin."
The wolf said, "Then I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll blow your house down."
And he huffed and he puffed and he blew the house down.
The wolf ate the second little pig.
The big bad wolf went to the third little pig’s house and said, "Little pig, little pig, let me in."
The little pig said, "Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin."
The wolf said, "Then I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll blow your house down."
But he huffed and he puffed, and he couldn’t blow the house down.
The little pig had built the house of bricks, and it was strong.
The wolf gave up and went away.
The third little pig lived happily ever after.

The translation of the Three Little Pigs

Dahulu kala, ada tiga ekor babi kecil yang pergi ke dunia untuk mencari peruntungan mereka.
Babi kecil pertama bertemu dengan seorang pria dengan seikat jerami dan berkata, "Tolong, tuan, maukah Anda memberi saya jerami itu untuk membangun rumah?"
Pria itu memberinya jerami, dan babi kecil itu membangun rumah jerami.
Babi kecil kedua bertemu dengan seorang pria dengan seikat tongkat dan berkata, "Tolong, tuan, maukah Anda memberi saya tongkat-tongkat itu untuk membangun rumah?"
Pria itu memberinya tongkat, dan babi kecil itu membangun rumah dari tongkat.
Babi kecil ketiga bertemu dengan seorang pria dengan setumpuk batu bata dan berkata, "Tolong, tuan, maukah Anda memberi saya batu bata itu untuk membangun rumah?"
Pria itu memberinya batu bata, dan babi kecil itu membangun rumah dari batu bata.
Sekarang, serigala jahat datang ke rumah babi kecil pertama dan berkata, "Babi kecil, babi kecil, biarkan aku masuk."
Babi kecil itu berkata, "Tidak, dengan rambut daguku yang kecil."
Serigala berkata, "Kalau begitu aku akan mengembus, dan aku akan mengembus, dan aku akan meniup rumahmu."
Dan dia mengembus dan dia mengembus dan dia meniup rumah itu.
Serigala memakan babi kecil pertama.
Serigala jahat pergi ke rumah babi kecil kedua dan berkata, "Babi kecil, babi kecil, biarkan aku masuk."
Babi kecil itu berkata, "Tidak, dengan rambut daguku yang kecil."
Serigala berkata, "Kalau begitu aku akan mengembus, dan aku akan mengembus, dan aku akan meniup rumahmu."
Dan dia mengembus dan dia mengembus dan dia meniup rumah itu.
Serigala memakan babi kecil kedua.
Serigala jahat pergi ke rumah babi kecil ketiga dan berkata, "Babi kecil, babi kecil, biarkan aku masuk."
Babi kecil itu berkata, "Tidak, dengan rambut daguku yang kecil."
Serigala berkata, "Kalau begitu aku akan mengembus, dan aku akan mengembus, dan aku akan meniup rumahmu."
Tapi dia mengembus dan dia mengembus, dan dia tidak bisa meniup rumah itu.
Babi kecil itu telah membangun rumah dari batu bata, dan itu kuat.
Serigala menyerah dan pergi.
Babi kecil ketiga hidup bahagia selamanya.

Hansel and Gretel: A Dark Tale of Bravery and Resourcefulness

Next up, we have Hansel and Gretel, a tale that's a bit more on the darker side, but still incredibly popular. This story is packed with suspense and serves as a cautionary tale of the importance of trusting yourself, and being brave in times of crisis! Two young siblings, Hansel and Gretel, are abandoned in the forest by their parents, who can't afford to feed them. Lost and alone, they stumble upon a gingerbread house, which looks like a sweet treat. The catch? It belongs to a wicked witch who wants to fatten them up and eat them!

The siblings show amazing resourcefulness, outsmarting the witch and eventually escaping her clutches. It's a testament to the power of sibling love and cleverness. The story has many English and translated versions available online and is one of the most translated fairytales in the world. The story also helps to provide an understanding of family values and the importance of resourcefulness in challenging situations. The ability of Hansel and Gretel to outsmart the witch is a demonstration of how important quick thinking can be in a survival situation. The tale carries a powerful message about not losing hope, even when facing incredible danger. Their ability to work together is a core part of their success. It teaches children about the need to rely on their support system. These are all lessons that resonate with audiences of all ages, which helps explain the lasting popularity of the story!

Here's the English version:

Once upon a time, there lived near a large wood a poor woodcutter who had two children, a boy named Hansel and a girl named Gretel.
He had little to eat, and once, when a great famine came to the land, he could no longer provide them with their daily bread.
One night he tossed and turned in his bed, worrying and sighing, and said to his wife, "What shall become of us? How are we to feed our poor children, as we have nothing left for ourselves?"
"I'll tell you what, husband," answered the wife. "Early tomorrow morning, we will take the children out into the wood to the thickest part; there we will make a fire for them, and give each of them a piece of bread, and then we will go away and leave them alone, and we shall be rid of them."
"No, wife," said the man; "I will not do that; how could I bear to leave my children alone in the wood? The wild animals would soon come and tear them to pieces."
"Then we must all four die of hunger," said the wife, and she would not listen to anything he said, but scolded him and abused him.
He did not dare to do it, but the children had been awake and heard the whole conversation.
Gretel wept bitterly and said to Hansel, "What shall we do?"
"Be quiet, Gretel," said Hansel; "do not cry; I will find a way to help us."
And as soon as their stepmother had fallen asleep, he got up, put on his coat, opened the door, and slipped out.
The moon shone brightly, and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house glittered like silver coins.
Hansel stooped down and filled the pockets of his coat with as many of them as he could.
Then he went back to the house, said, "Be of good cheer, Gretel, and sleep in peace; I will not forsake you," and went to sleep again.
At break of day, even before the sun had risen, the wife came and awoke the children, and said, "Get up, you lazy things; we are going into the wood."
Then she gave them each a piece of bread, and said, "Here is something for you to eat; but do not eat it before dinner, for you will get nothing else."
Gretel took the bread and put it under her apron, for Hansel had the pebbles in his pockets.
Then they all set out on their way to the wood.
When they had gone a little way, Hansel stood still and peeped back at the house, and did so again and again.
His father said, "Hansel, what are you stopping to look at, and why are you always lagging behind? Take care and pay attention."
"Ah, father," said Hansel, "I am looking at my white kitten, who is sitting on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me."
The man said, "You are not fooling me, you're looking for your kitten."
The wife said, "You are not to look back, and you are not to lag behind."
Hansel, however, only put his hand into his pocket, took out a pebble, and dropped it on the ground.
When they were in the middle of the wood, the wife made a fire and said, "Now, you children, sit down, and rest, and we will go and cut wood."
Hansel and Gretel sat by the fire, and when noon came, they each ate their little piece of bread.
They heard the strokes of the axe, and they thought their father was near.
But it was not the axe; it was a bough which the man had fastened to a dead tree, and which the wind was blowing.
When they had stayed a long time, their eyes closed with weariness, and they fell fast asleep.
When they awoke, it was dark night, and Gretel began to cry and said, "How are we to get out of the wood?"
Hansel comforted her and said, "Wait a little while until the moon rises, and then we will find the way."
And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took his little sister by the hand, and followed the pebbles, which shone like newly-minted silver coins, and showed them the way.
They walked the whole night long, and as day broke, they came to their father's house.
They knocked at the door, and when the wife opened it and saw Hansel and Gretel, she said, "You naughty children, why have you slept so long in the wood?"
Then Hansel and Gretel went into the house and kissed their father, who had not ceased to mourn for them.
The stepmother, however, was dead.
Hansel and Gretel lived happily ever after.

The translation of Hansel and Gretel

Suatu ketika, di dekat hutan besar, hiduplah seorang penebang kayu miskin yang memiliki dua anak, seorang anak laki-laki bernama Hansel dan seorang gadis bernama Gretel.
Ia hanya punya sedikit makanan, dan suatu ketika, ketika kelaparan melanda negeri itu, ia tidak lagi dapat memberi mereka roti sehari-hari mereka.
Suatu malam ia berguling dan berbalik di tempat tidurnya, khawatir dan menghela nafas, dan berkata kepada istrinya, "Apa yang akan terjadi pada kita? Bagaimana kita memberi makan anak-anak kita yang malang, karena kita tidak punya apa-apa lagi untuk diri kita sendiri?"
"Akan kuberitahu, suamiku," jawab sang istri. "Besok pagi, kita akan membawa anak-anak itu ke hutan ke bagian yang paling tebal; di sana kita akan membuat api untuk mereka, dan memberi mereka masing-masing sepotong roti, dan kemudian kita akan pergi dan meninggalkan mereka sendirian, dan kita akan menyingkirkannya."
"Tidak, istriku," kata lelaki itu; "Aku tidak akan melakukan itu; bagaimana aku bisa membiarkan anak-anakku sendirian di hutan? Hewan liar akan segera datang dan merobek mereka menjadi berkeping-keping."
"Kalau begitu kita berempat harus mati kelaparan," kata istrinya, dan dia tidak mau mendengarkan apa pun yang dia katakan, tetapi memarahinya dan menyalahkannya.
Ia tidak berani melakukannya, tetapi anak-anak itu telah bangun dan mendengar seluruh percakapan.
Gretel menangis tersedu-sedu dan berkata kepada Hansel, "Apa yang harus kita lakukan?"
"Tenang, Gretel," kata Hansel; "Jangan menangis; Aku akan menemukan cara untuk membantu kita."
Dan segera setelah ibu tiri mereka tertidur, ia bangun, mengenakan mantelnya, membuka pintu, dan menyelinap keluar.
Bulan bersinar terang, dan kerikil putih yang terletak di depan rumah berkilauan seperti koin perak.
Hansel membungkuk dan mengisi saku mantelnya dengan sebanyak yang ia bisa.
Kemudian ia kembali ke rumah, berkata, "Bergembiralah, Gretel, dan tidurlah dengan tenang; Aku tidak akan meninggalkanmu," dan kembali tidur.
Saat fajar, bahkan sebelum matahari terbit, sang istri datang dan membangunkan anak-anak, dan berkata, "Bangun, kalian pemalas; kita akan pergi ke hutan."
Kemudian dia memberi mereka masing-masing sepotong roti, dan berkata, "Ini sesuatu untuk kamu makan; tetapi jangan memakannya sebelum makan malam, karena kamu tidak akan mendapatkan apa pun lagi."
Gretel mengambil roti itu dan meletakkannya di bawah celemeknya, karena Hansel memiliki kerikil di sakunya.
Kemudian mereka semua berangkat menuju hutan.
Ketika mereka telah pergi sedikit, Hansel berdiri diam dan mengintip kembali ke rumah, dan melakukannya lagi dan lagi.
Ayahnya berkata, "Hansel, apa yang sedang kamu hentikan untuk dilihat, dan mengapa kamu selalu tertinggal? Berhati-hatilah dan perhatikan."
"Ah, ayah," kata Hansel, "Aku sedang melihat kucing putihku, yang sedang duduk di atap, dan ingin mengucapkan selamat tinggal kepadaku."
Lelaki itu berkata, "Kamu tidak membodohiku, kamu sedang mencari kucingmu."
Sang istri berkata, "Kamu tidak boleh melihat ke belakang, dan kamu tidak boleh tertinggal."
Hansel, bagaimanapun, hanya memasukkan tangannya ke dalam sakunya, mengeluarkan sebuah kerikil, dan menjatuhkannya ke tanah.
Ketika mereka berada di tengah hutan, sang istri membuat api dan berkata, "Sekarang, anak-anak, duduklah, dan beristirahat, dan kami akan pergi memotong kayu."
Hansel dan Gretel duduk di dekat api, dan ketika tengah hari tiba, mereka masing-masing memakan sedikit roti mereka.
Mereka mendengar pukulan kapak, dan mereka mengira ayah mereka sudah dekat.
Tetapi itu bukan kapak; itu adalah dahan yang telah diikatkan lelaki itu pada pohon mati, dan yang ditiup angin.
Ketika mereka telah tinggal lama, mata mereka tertutup karena kelelahan, dan mereka tertidur lelap.
Ketika mereka bangun, malam sudah gelap, dan Gretel mulai menangis dan berkata, "Bagaimana kita akan keluar dari hutan?"
Hansel menghiburnya dan berkata, "Tunggu sebentar sampai bulan terbit, dan kemudian kita akan menemukan jalannya."
Dan ketika bulan purnama telah terbit, Hansel memegang tangan adik perempuannya, dan mengikuti kerikil, yang bersinar seperti koin perak yang baru dicetak, dan menunjukkan jalannya kepada mereka.
Mereka berjalan sepanjang malam, dan ketika hari mulai, mereka sampai di rumah ayah mereka.
Mereka mengetuk pintu, dan ketika sang istri membukanya dan melihat Hansel dan Gretel, ia berkata, "Kalian anak-anak nakal, mengapa kalian tidur begitu lama di hutan?"
Kemudian Hansel dan Gretel masuk ke dalam rumah dan mencium ayah mereka, yang tidak berhenti meratapi mereka.
Ibu tirinya, bagaimanapun, telah meninggal.
Hansel dan Gretel hidup bahagia selamanya.

Jack and the Beanstalk: A Tale of Adventure and the Consequences of Greed

Last, but not least, we have Jack and the Beanstalk, another classic! This story is a rollercoaster of adventure and teaches us valuable lessons about honesty and greed. The story begins with a poor boy named Jack who sells his family's cow for a handful of magic beans. His mother is furious, but those beans grow into a giant beanstalk, leading Jack to a world above the clouds. He climbs the beanstalk and discovers a giant's castle, where he steals treasures. The beanstalk is one of the most exciting tales in the English language and is one of the best for language learning.

He has an adventure and has to escape the giant, who chases him down the beanstalk. Jack's bravery and resourcefulness are what get him out of the situation. This story is filled with exciting turns and is a great source of language understanding and vocabulary building for any English speaker! It shows that even the smallest person can overcome incredible challenges with the right mindset! Jack's journey is a reminder that bravery can be found in unexpected places. The tale leaves readers with an understanding of how important it is to be aware of the consequences of your actions.

Here's the English version:

Once upon a time, there lived a poor widow and her son Jack. They had a cow, which was their only means of earning a living. One day, the cow gave no milk, so Jack's mother told him to take it to market and sell it.
On his way, Jack met a man who offered him some magic beans in exchange for the cow. Jack, being a simple boy, agreed and took the beans home.
His mother was furious and threw the beans out of the window.
The next morning, Jack woke up to find that a giant beanstalk had grown from the beans, reaching up into the sky.
Jack, curious, decided to climb the beanstalk.
At the top, he found a giant's castle.
He went inside and found a giant and his wife.
When the giant was asleep, Jack stole a bag of gold coins and ran away.
He climbed the beanstalk again, and the giant chased after him.
Jack's mother saw the giant coming and told Jack to chop down the beanstalk.
Jack chopped down the beanstalk, and the giant fell to his death.
Jack and his mother lived happily ever after with the gold coins.

The translation of Jack and the Beanstalk

Suatu ketika, hiduplah seorang janda miskin dan putranya Jack. Mereka memiliki seekor sapi, yang merupakan satu-satunya cara mereka mencari nafkah. Suatu hari, sapi itu tidak mengeluarkan susu, jadi ibu Jack menyuruhnya membawanya ke pasar dan menjualnya.
Dalam perjalanannya, Jack bertemu dengan seorang pria yang menawarinya beberapa kacang ajaib dengan imbalan sapi itu. Jack, yang seorang anak sederhana, setuju dan membawa kacang-kacangan itu pulang.
Ibunya sangat marah dan membuang kacang-kacangan itu keluar jendela.
Keesokan paginya, Jack bangun dan mendapati bahwa pohon kacang raksasa telah tumbuh dari kacang-kacangan itu, menjulang ke langit.
Jack, karena penasaran, memutuskan untuk memanjat pohon kacang itu.
Di atas, ia menemukan istana raksasa.
Dia masuk dan menemukan raksasa dan istrinya.
Ketika raksasa itu sedang tidur, Jack mencuri sekantong koin emas dan melarikan diri.
Dia memanjat pohon kacang itu lagi, dan raksasa itu mengejarnya.
Ibu Jack melihat raksasa itu datang dan menyuruh Jack menebang pohon kacang itu.
Jack menebang pohon kacang itu, dan raksasa itu jatuh dan mati.
Jack dan ibunya hidup bahagia selamanya dengan koin emas.

Conclusion: The Enduring Power of Folktales

So there you have it, folks! A glimpse into the wonderful world of English folktales. These stories offer more than just entertainment; they're valuable tools for learning about culture, morality, and the human condition. They're also fantastic for improving your English skills! The ability to understand these stories also helps you learn about sentence structure, along with increasing your vocabulary! Whether you're a seasoned reader or just starting, dive in and enjoy the adventure. Remember, folks, stories are a gift, and they have the power to transport us, teach us, and connect us across time and cultures.

Keep reading, keep exploring, and keep the magic of storytelling alive!