Elder Tales: Stories of Wisdom and Courage from Around the World

by Dan Keding

Traditional folktales from around the world celebrate the wisdom, courage, and even the follies of elders, presenting them as crones, wise men, sages, magic helpers, and fools. Arranged by story type, these are tales that can be used in the classroom and library, as a springboard for cultural comparisons and discussion of how wisdom is shared between generations, and how elders contribute to and are perceived by various societies. It is also a fine resource for storytellers performing in senior centers, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes.

Think folk and fairy tales are all about mischievous animals, beautiful princesses, and handsome princes? Think again. One of the most prominent themes in folklore is that of the strength and role of the elders, a theme that deserves revisiting today. This collection gathers traditional folktales from around the world to celebrate the wisdom, courage, and even the follies of elders.

Arranged by story type, these are tales that can be used in the classroom and library, as a springboard for cultural comparisons and discussion of how wisdom is shared between generations, and how elders contribute to and are perceived by various societies.

204 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2007

Reviews

[Aylin Youlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Имаше интересни приказки,които не бях чела. Обожавам приказки и има много мъдрост в тях.Смятам,че не е много коректно да събереш приказки познати вече в света и да ги издадеш в книга. Струва ми се лесен начин да печелиш пари,освен ако не се казваш Грим или Андерсън.

[Jeff Bobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting look at stories from around the world on the passing of wisdom from one generation to the next.

Some will make you smile, some cry and maybe angry. All will make you think.

[Mila Encheva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Безкрайно много вдъхновяващи истории събрани на едно място! Препоръчвам на всеки да я прочете, за да се върне в детските си години, когато четяхме повече приказки и света беше по-простичък. :)

[ren !! · Rating 2 out of 5]

Скучно. Много насилие на животни и малка доза сексизъм. Повечето истории бяха скучни, на някои дори не им схванах смисъла.

Браво, че са включили България!!

Много голям брой правописни и граматични грешки. Срам. Уш имало редактор!

Демек, не си струва.

[Harvey Heilbrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of stories. I like the way he grouped the stories by theme and also gave a source for each story. Well done.

[Цветомира Филипова · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely like Geries Awwad's selection of stories more.

[Kaloyan Plashilski · Rating 3 out of 5]

not bad, not great

[Теодора Докова · Rating 5 out of 5]

Класически приказки от различни народи, включително и няколко български.
Много добра селекция. Единственото лошо нещо е, че има страшно много правописни грешки, разменени букви и тн.

[Wren · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a gerontologist with other degrees in English lit and literature, this book fits the intersection of my two areas of expertise. Dan Keding collects an array of tales that feature mature protagonists.

A handful of the tales show the older adult going through a period of internal growth towards wisdom. Many of them say more about the class of the original creators of the tales: agrarian people live on the edge of survival and fantasize about escaping poverty.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed finding some tales that encourage humility, compassion, and other traits that older adults can adopt to become sages and wisdom keepers for their communities.

[Merin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great collection of stories that are not only suitable for telling aloud but also for sharing with students or your own children. I particularly appreciated the author's little notes at the end of each story which summed up his thoughts on each tale, and also how well he cited the culture/country the story came from, and gave credit if he took them from another teller. I liked many of them quite a lot, but it would be too tedious to list them all by title. If you want a great collection of tales that really appreciate age and the wisdom that comes with getting older, this is a good book for you to pick up.

[AnnaBnana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a lovely collection of tales from around the world. I'm biased of course because I am in a class with Dan Keding, but I do really enjoy his ability to put a tale to paper in an immediately tell-able way. He gives the origins to all the tales as well as a little bit of back story regarding his selections at the end of most of the stories. I have been reading TONS of anthologies for class and I can say with certainty this has been a favorite. The stories are organized into different topics and I have found lots that I would really like to tell along the way.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of tales of wisdom. These aren't just tales for older people there are many great tales that can be used with kids.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

great collection of tales.

[Pepi Spanova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Четенето на приказките от книгата „И това ще мине” – на самите себе си или на нашите деца, ни връща към корените ни. Тези простички истории ни напомнят, че много други хора преди нас са изпитвали същите чувства, смеели са се, отглеждали са потомците си и са мечтаели за по-добър живот. Те ни помагат да не забравяме откъде сме тръгнали, но и са мост към нашето бъдеще, защото споделяйки ги с децата си, ние съхраняваме потока на мъдростта, така че той да не спира да тече.