Rocking Chair

May 30, 2011 8:53 AM

Leslie Slape has been a professional storyteller for more than 20 years. This column will feature some of her favorite short folktales from around the world. Come on, snuggle up in the rocking chair, and get ready for a story.

Some highlights from The Rocking Chair (there doesn't seem to be an easy to browse archive):

The Origin of the coconut - A tale from New Guinea
The Tsar's Daughter's Ring - A Ukrainian fairy tale
Looking for Luck - An Armenian folktale
Why the vulture is bald - A tale from Burma

posted by infini (8 comments total)

I am disappointed because these are text. Where can we hear her telling the stories?
posted by SLC Mom at 9:31 AM on May 30, 2011

Ditto SLC--listening might be great, reading them is dull.
posted by Ideefixe at 9:51 AM on May 30, 2011

Here (Beeping Sleauty - A French fairy tale)

Like I said, its badly archived and you have to poke around a bit
posted by infini at 9:52 AM on May 30, 2011

She does have a YouTube channel.
posted by wreckingball at 10:06 AM on May 30, 2011

What a great voice she has! These cry out for animation, though.
posted by Ideefixe at 10:56 AM on May 30, 2011

The story of the Hen and Jackal has many times changed, but used in many old films, "look that guy is going to shoot you"! After looking behind our Hero jumps the other guy and wins the fight.
Hooray for Hollywood!
posted by taxpayer at 11:27 AM on May 30, 2011

I love this! Thank you so much for posting this link, infini.
posted by Pallas Athena at 2:13 PM on May 30, 2011

Thanks for posting this. I'll definitely check out the youtube channel later. I remember when I was young seeing a storyteller on PBS, telling the story of the little mermaid. I fervently hoped that someday, I could have that kind of job, telling stories at libraries and schools, but, well, it didn't work out that way.
posted by Ghidorah at 5:24 PM on May 30, 2011