Family

A very long time ago, before cities and cars and lights, the night sky was as dark as velvet, and the stars shone like diamonds. High on a mountain in ancient Greece lived seven sisters, known for their beauty, kindness, and sparkling laughter. Their names were Maia, Electra, Taygete, Alcyone, Celaeno, Sterope, and Merope. They were the daughters of a gentle giant named Atlas, who held up the sky on his strong shoulders, and a kind goddess named Pleione, who loved to watch over them. ...

In the highlands of Tonkin in Vietnam there lived two brothers whose mother and father died in quick succession. A funeral was held, and while the younger brother was away burying his parents, the elder stayed at home to settle the inheritance. And he, being very greedy, concealed all that was valuable. When the younger brother returned, he looked at him in surprise. “Tell me, honoured brother,” he asked, “where is our parents’ fortune? I see nothing of it here.” ...

Once upon a time, three naughty little rabbits lived with their mama in a cosy hillside burrow. One day, Mama said, “You’re getting so big! Come and help me make your sleeping corners bigger.” The naughty little rabbits didn’t want to help Mama. “We want to play outside!” they cried. “First, there is work to do,” their mama said. But the naughty little rabbits ignored her and scampered off to the meadow, leaving their poor mama behind. ...