Short children's stories about animals. Folk tales about animals: list and names. Russian folk tales about animals. What do fairy tales teach?
Fairy tales about animals for children tell children, in a form they understand, about the habits, characteristics and life of our little friends. These can be fairy tales in verse or prose. More realistic ones for older children or simply involving animals for kids. Today I will show you the best examples of both.
Hello, dear readers. We read fairy tales to even the youngest children, trying to instill a love of books and knowledge of the world. Most books for children contain pictures of animals. Mom, dad or grandmother, reading them, draw the baby’s attention to the picture. They ask if he recognizes the character and say what sounds he makes in real life. This is how the baby’s journey into the world of wildlife begins. The child grows and learns everything more facts about animals, insects, birds.
I would say that the peak of interest in all living things is between 2 and 6 years. You shouldn’t waste this time, be afraid that your child won’t understand or that he won’t be interested in school. By giving knowledge gradually, you will enrich him inner world, lay love for all living things. A child of this age receives basic information, of course, from fairy tales, so we’ll talk about them today.
Book in the Labyrinth
It is difficult to find a parent who does not know these works by Samuil Marshak. And yet I cannot leave this book without attention, in addition, I will put it in first place for little ones and not only.
All 172 pages are divided into sections. The first contains short poems about animals. The second contains poems for children 3-7 years old. Next come fairy tales in verse about a stupid and smart mouse - this is an ideal combination of fairy tales so that the child understands not only what not to do, but also receives an example of correct behavior.
This beautiful collection has poems about each month, color and letter. But main reason, for which I included it in the article - almost all works are about animals. Little listeners will learn what animals and birds look like. The illustrations here are bright, there are many of them.
Book in the Labyrinth
If you are looking for fairy tales about animals for children 2.5-5 years old, then this book by Tamara Kryukova is ideal. It's about a small, inquisitive hedgehog who left home without permission.
In his walk through the forest he learned a lot of interesting things. Where does a squirrel live and why does it need a fluffy tail, why does a hare need long ears, where does a mole live and why does it have such big paws, why does a frog need bulging eyes and who do foxes hunt. In the second fairy tale, the Hedgehog met domestic animals and learned about the characteristics of each of them. And the third fairy tale will tell children about how a squirrel, a hamster, a bunny prepare for winter, wild ducks, a bear and a hedgehog himself. Good quality book thick paper offset, stitched and glued pages, hard cover, A4 format.
Book in the Labyrinth
This paperback book has been reprinted for the 10th time! I bought the 3rd edition when Alexander was 2 years old. The soft cover at this age was a plus, since there are two fairy tales on the spread, and the baby is not able to concentrate on one page when there are equally bright pictures on the other. Therefore, I simply folded the book like a magazine and the issue was resolved by itself. The tales collected here will help the parent decide on the topics that the child should master before entering school.
At first I did just that - I read fairy tales on 1 theme, then we played it out. For example, about animals it is collected here: where do pets come from, why does a bear sleep in winter, why do animals need warm fur coats, what does a cow give us, how do animals sleep, how do they escape from predators, what are tails for, what relatives do cats have, who what is a whale like, why is a pig lying in a puddle, why is a wolf needed in the forest. More more fairy tales here about birds and insects. I think now you understand why this encyclopedia is described by me in this article. By the way, after each fairy tale, next to the picture, basic information about what was read is given, which is why the book is called an Encyclopedia.
Book in Ozone
I think that the works of Sergei Kozlov do not need any introduction. This book attracted my attention while collecting the collection “Golden Fairy Tales in Illustrations by the Best Artists.” Each spread of the book looks like a separate oil painting. Every stroke of the artist, who is Evgeny Antonenkov, is visible. Azbuka Publishing House made a book big size 31cm by 25cm, which makes it possible to see the illustrations even better. The paper is thick, matte, coated. The font is clear and of excellent size. In a word – the quality of the publication is a solid 5.
Opening the book, you get the feeling that you are entering fairy tales about the seasons: “ Winter's Tale”, about New Year, “Spring Tale”, “Unusual Spring”, “Hedgehog and the Sea”. Of course, this includes the work “Shake!” Hello!”, familiar to all of us from childhood. In total, the book contains 10 fairy tales, each of which guides the friends Hedgehog and Little Bear through the seasons - starting with winter and ending with autumn. I agree with the publisher who recommends the book for children 6+. I agree that at 3 years old a child will not appreciate these illustrations, he will not be captivated by Kozlov’s writing language. This book went well with us at the age of 5.
The publication is almost square in size 21 cm by 22 cm, coated pages, completely filled with illustrations on which the text is located. The book is stitched and glued, with a varnished flower on the cover.
Book in the Labyrinth
This is one of my favorite books in the children's library. I am very glad that the Dobraya Kniga publishing house has republished it. I am sure that many more children and their parents will fall in love with this beautiful bear. This tale is about polar animals: polar bear, reindeer or caribou, seal, blue whale. As the name suggests, the little bear goes looking for the sun. Along the way he admires polar night and the northern lights, and also meets other residents of those places. As a result, he returns to his beloved mother at the moment when the sun again came to the land of eternal snow.
Cute, life-like illustrations in purple, blue and pink tones. Matte coated paper. The edition is well stitched and has a hard cover. Suitable for children from 2 to 6 years old. At the end of the book, encyclopedic information is given in accessible language. It is intended for parents who are bombarded with little why questions.
Book in the Labyrinth
Another book by Tamara Kryukova, which will tell children about where mammoths went, where the woodpecker got its red cap, why the ostrich can’t fly, why bat He sleeps upside down and like a fox taught a flea a lesson. Here it is necessary to take into account important point. The book is suitable for children over 4 years old, when basic information on these issues has already been discussed and the child’s imagination is developed. That is, these fairy tales should be read by children who understand that a mammoth figuratively took off its skin for washing. There are many topics here to discuss fairy tales. After reading each of them with Alexander, we first discussed what we read, correlated the information with real life animals and only after that proceeded to the next fairy tale.
At the end of the book there is a rather long but easily readable poem about natural signs in nature. “Forest Calendar” tells a child about a fox who decided to learn about all the signs of the seasons. These signs relate to forest animals and birds. We liked this part of the book the most.
Book in the Labyrinth
I think that everyone is familiar with the works of Vitaly Bianchi. Therefore, I’ll just write that despite the fact that this is Machaon, the collection is successful. It includes 9 tales about forest animals, birds and insects. Lovers of the animal world are guaranteed to enjoy reading and looking at the illustrations. This collection can be recommended for children aged 4 years and above; the fairy tale “How an ant hurried home” will already be understandable to them. But the entire book will be understandable from the age of 5. The publisher itself recommends the book for middle school age.
The illustrations are not flashy, but large and clear. There are many of them and they clearly correspond to what is written. The book format is 29 cm by 21 cm, offset paper, the pages are quite thick. The font is large, suitable for children to read independently.
Our responsibility as parents is to teach our children to love living beings, to instill in them the understanding that everything that exists in nature has the right to do so. Fairy tales about animals for children are the starting point in this difficult task. That’s all for today, dear readers, in the following articles I will introduce you to stories and encyclopedias about animals. To avoid missing new articles, subscribe to the newsletter in the right panel.
1 - About the little bus who was afraid of the dark
Donald Bisset 
A fairy tale about how mother bus taught her little bus not to be afraid of the dark... About the little bus who was afraid of the dark read Once upon a time there was a little bus in the world. He was bright red and lived with his dad and mom in the garage. Every morning …
2 - Three kittens
Suteev V.G. 
A short fairy tale for the little ones about three fidgety kittens and their funny adventures. Little kids love it short stories with pictures, that’s why Suteev’s fairy tales are so popular and loved! Three kittens read Three kittens - black, gray and...
3 - Hedgehog in the fog
Kozlov S.G. 
A fairy tale about a Hedgehog, how he was walking at night and got lost in the fog. He fell into the river, but someone carried him to the shore. It was a magical night! Hedgehog in the fog read Thirty mosquitoes ran out into the clearing and began to play...
4 - About the mouse from the book
Gianni Rodari 
A short story about a mouse who lived in a book and decided to jump out of it into Big world. Only he did not know how to speak the language of mice, but knew only a strange book language... Read about a mouse from a book...
5 - Apple
Suteev V.G. 
A fairy tale about a hedgehog, a hare and a crow who could not divide the last apple among themselves. Everyone wanted to take it for themselves. But the fair bear judged their dispute, and each got a piece of the treat... Apple read It was late...
6 - Black Pool
Kozlov S.G. 
A fairy tale about a cowardly Hare who was afraid of everyone in the forest. And he was so tired of his fear that he decided to drown himself in the Black Pool. But he taught the Hare to live and not be afraid! Black Whirlpool read Once upon a time there was a Hare...
7 - About the Hippopotamus, who was afraid of vaccinations
Suteev V.G. 
A fairy tale about a cowardly hippopotamus who ran away from the clinic because he was afraid of vaccinations. And he fell ill with jaundice. Luckily, he was taken to the hospital and treated. And the hippopotamus became very ashamed of his behavior... About the Hippopotamus, who was afraid...
8 - Mom for Baby Mammoth
Nepomnyashchaya D. 
A fairy tale about a baby mammoth that melted out of the ice and went to look for its mother. But all the mammoths have long since died out, and the wise Uncle Walrus advised him to sail to Africa, where elephants live, which are very similar to mammoths. Mom for...
Russian folk tale "Teremok"
A mouse runs across the field. He sees that there is a tower:
No one answered. The mouse opened the door, entered and began to live.
The frog is jumping. He sees a teremok:
- Who lives in a little house, who lives in a low one?
- I, little mouse, and who are you?
- I'm a frog frog. Let me in.
And the two of them began to live together.
A bunny is running. He sees a teremok:
- Who lives in a little house, who lives in a low one?
- I, little mouse.
- I, frog-frog, and who are you?
“I’m a runaway bunny, my ears are long, my legs are short.” Let me go.
- OK Go!
The three of them began to live together.
A little fox runs and asks:
- Who lives in a little house, who lives in a low one?
- I, the mouse-norunzha.
- I, frog-frog.
- I, a running bunny, have long ears, short legs, and who are you?
- I am a fox-sister, Lizaveta-beautiful, fluffy tail. Let me go.
- Go, little fox.
The four of them began to live together.
A wolf is running across the field. He sees a teremok and asks:
- Who lives in a little house, who lives in a low one?
- I, little mouse.
- I, frog-frog.
- I, little fox-sister, Lizaveta-beauty, fluffy tail, and who are you?
- I am a wolf-wolf, a big mouth. Let me go.
- Okay, go, just live peacefully. The five of them began to live together.
A bear wanders, a clubfoot wanders. I saw the little mansion and roared:
- Who lives in a little house, who lives in a low one?
- I, little mouse.
- I, frog-frog.
- I, a running bunny, have long ears and short legs.
- I, little fox-sister, Lizaveta-beautiful, fluffy tail.
- I, a wolf-wolf, a big mouth, and who are you?
- I'm a bear, a little blooper!
And he didn’t ask to go into the mansion. He couldn’t get through the door, so he climbed up.
It swayed, crackled, and the tower fell apart. They barely had time to run out - a little mouse, a croaking frog, a running bunny, long ears, short legs, a little fox-sister, Lizaveta the beauty, a fluffy tail, a wolf-wolf, a big mouth.
And the bear, the little frog, went into the forest.
Fairy tale "Ryaba Hen"
There lived a grandfather and a woman,
And they had a chicken, Ryaba.
The hen laid an egg:
The egg is not simple, Golden.
Grandfather beat and beat, but did not break;
The woman beat and beat, but did not break.
The mouse ran
She waved her tail:
The egg fell
And it crashed.
Grandfather and grandmother are crying!
The hen clucks:
- Don't cry, grandfather, don't cry, woman.
I'll lay another egg for you,
Not golden - simple.
Fairy tale "Turnip"
Grandfather planted a turnip and the turnip grew big and big.
The grandfather began to pull the turnip out of the ground.
He pulls and pulls, but he can’t pull it out.
The grandfather called the grandmother for help.
Grandma for grandfather, grandfather for turnip.
The grandmother called her granddaughter.
Granddaughter for grandmother, grandmother for grandfather, grandfather for turnip.
They pull and pull, but they can’t pull it out.
The granddaughter called to Zhuchka.
A bug for a granddaughter, a granddaughter for a grandmother, a grandmother for a grandfather, a grandfather for a turnip.
They pull and pull, but they can’t pull it out.
The bug called the cat Masha.
Masha for the bug, Zhuchka for the granddaughter, granddaughter for the grandmother, grandmother for the grandfather, grandfather for the turnip.
They pull and pull, but they can’t pull it out.
The cat Masha clicked the mouse.
A mouse for Masha, Masha for a Bug, a Bug for a granddaughter, a granddaughter for a grandmother, a grandmother for a grandfather, a grandfather for a turnip.
Pull and pull -
pulled out
Fairy tale "Kolobok"
Once upon a time there lived an old man and an old woman.
So the old man asks:
- Bake me a bun for me, old lady.
- What should I bake it from? There is no flour.
- Eh, old woman. Mark the barn, scratch the branches - and you'll get it.
The old woman did just that: she swept, scraped together two handfuls of flour, kneaded the dough with sour cream, rolled it into a bun, fried it in oil and laid it on the window to dry.
The little bun got tired of lying - he rolled from the window to the bench, from the bench to the floor - and to the door, jumping over the threshold, into the entryway, from the entryway to the porch, from the porch to the yard, and then beyond the gate, further and further.
The bun is rolling along the road, and a hare meets it:
- No, don’t eat me, scythe, but rather listen to what song I’ll sing for you.
The hare raised his ears, and the bun sang:
- I am a bun, a bun,
Swept across the barn,
Scraped by the bones,
Mixed with sour cream,
Put in the oven,
It's cold at the window.
I left my grandfather
I left my grandmother
From you, hare,
It's not smart to leave.
A bun rolls along a path in the forest, and a gray wolf meets him:
- Kolobok, Kolobok! I will eat you!
“Don’t eat me, gray wolf: I’ll sing you a song.” And the bun sang:
- I am a bun, a bun,
Swept across the barn,
Scraped by the bones,
Mixed with sour cream,
Put in the oven,
It's cold at the window.
I left my grandfather
I left my grandmother
I left the hare
From you, wolf,
It's not smart to leave.
The bun is rolling through the forest, and a bear comes towards it, breaking brushwood, bending bushes to the ground.
- Kolobok, Kolobok, I will eat you!
- Well, where can you, clubfoot, eat me! Better listen to my song.
The gingerbread man began to sing, and Misha’s ears went wild:
- I am a bun, a bun,
Swept across the barn,
Scraped by the bones,
Mixed with sour cream,
Put in the oven,
It's cold at the window.
I left my grandfather
I left my grandmother
I left the hare
I left the wolf
From you, bear,
Half-heartedly to leave.
And the bun rolled - the bear just looked after it.
The bun is rolling, and the fox meets it: “Hello, bun!” How handsome and rosy you are!
Kolobok is glad that he was praised, and began to sing his song, and the fox listens and creeps closer and closer:
- I am a bun, a bun,
Swept across the barn,
Scraped by the bones,
Mixed with sour cream,
Put in the oven,
It's cold at the window.
I left my grandfather
I left my grandmother
I left the hare
I left the wolf
Left the bear
From you, fox,
It's not smart to leave.
- Nice song! - said the fox. “The trouble is, my dear, that I’ve become old—I can’t hear well.” Sit on my face and sing it one more time.
Kolobok was delighted that his song was praised, jumped on the fox’s face and sang:
- I am a bun, a bun...
And his fox is a racket! - and ate it.
Fairy tale "The Cockerel and the Bean Seed."
Once upon a time there lived a cockerel and a hen.
The cockerel was in a hurry, still in a hurry, and the hen kept saying to herself:
- Petya, don’t rush. Petya, take your time.
Once a cockerel was pecking bean grains, but in a hurry he choked. He's choked, can't breathe, can't hear, as if he's lying dead.
The chicken got scared, rushed to the owner, shouting:
- Oh, mistress! Let the butter quickly lubricate the cockerel's neck: the cockerel choked on a bean grain.
The hostess says:
- Run quickly to the cow, ask her for milk, and I’ll already harvest the butter.
The chicken rushed to the cow:
- Little cow, my dear, give me some milk quickly. The hostess will whip butter out of the milk and lubricate the cockerel's neck with butter: the cockerel choked on a bean grain.
“Go quickly to the owner, let him bring me some fresh grass.”
The chicken runs to its owner:
- Master, master! Quickly give the cow some fresh grass, the cow will give milk, the hostess will make butter from the milk, I will lubricate the cockerel’s neck with butter: the cockerel choked on a bean grain.
- Run quickly to the blacksmith for a scythe.
The chicken ran as fast as she could to the blacksmith:
- Blacksmith, blacksmith, quickly give the owner a good scythe. The owner will give the cow grass, the cow will give milk, the hostess will give me butter, I will lubricate the cockerel’s neck, the cockerel choked on a bean grain.
The blacksmith gave the owner a new scythe, the owner gave the cow fresh grass, the cow gave milk, the hostess churned butter, and gave butter to the chicken.
The chicken greased the neck of the cockerel. The bean seed slipped through. The cockerel jumped up and shouted at the top of his lungs: “Ku-ka-re-ku!”
Fairy tale “About a fox with a rolling pin”
Once a fox picked up a rolling pin on the road. She came with her to the village and knocked on the last hut:
- Here, here!
- Who's there?
- It's me, fox! Let me spend the night good people!
- It’s already crowded here.
- Yes, I won’t take up any space. I’ll lie down on the bench, tail under the bench, rolling pin under the stove.
- Well, if so, come in.
The fox went to bed, and in the morning she got up earlier than everyone else, burned the rolling pin in the stove and woke up the owners:
- Where did my rolling pin go? Now give me the chicken for it!
What to do - the owner gave her a chicken.
Here comes a little fox along the road and sings:
The fox found a rolling pin,
I took her a chicken instead.
In the evening I came to another village and again to the first hut:
- Let me in, good people, to spend the night!
“We don’t have enough space ourselves.”
“But I don’t even need a place: I’ll lie down under the window, cover myself with my tail, and put the chicken in the corner.”
They let her in. And in the morning, before dawn, the fox got up, quickly ate the chicken and started screaming:
- Who ate my chicken? I won't take less than a duck for her.
They gave her the duck. And again she goes and sings:
The fox found a rolling pin,
I took her a chicken instead.
A fox came with a chicken,
The little fox and the duck left.
And in the third village there is a knock in the evening.
- Knock Knock! Let me spend the night!
— We already have seven shops.
- So I won’t embarrass you. She herself is near the wall, her tail under her head, her duck behind the stove.
- Okay, get settled.
The fox settled down. Again, in the morning, she jumped up, ate the duck, burned the feathers in the stove and cried out:
- Where is my favorite duck? Give me at least one girl for her.
And even though the man has many children, it’s a pity for him to give away a girl to a stray fox. Then he put the dog in the bag.
- Get the best girl, redhead!
The fox pulled the bag onto the road and said:
- Come on, girl, sing a song!
He hears someone grumbling in the bag. She was surprised and untied the bag. And as soon as the dog jumps out - well, wag it!
The cheat began to run, and the dog followed her. And she drove the redhead away from the village.
Fairy tale "Masha and the Bear"
Once upon a time there lived a grandfather and a woman, and they had a granddaughter, Masha. The friends have gathered to pick berries and invite Masha with them.
“Go,” said the grandfather and grandmother, “and look, don’t lag behind, where everyone is, there you will be.”
Masha went.
Suddenly, out of nowhere - a bear. Masha got scared and cried. The bear grabbed her and carried her away.
And the girlfriends came running to the village and said that they had lost Masha.
Grandfather and grandmother searched and searched for her, but they didn’t find her, they began to cry, they began to grieve.
And the bear brought Masha to his home and said:
- Don't cry, I won't eat you! I'm bored alone, stay with me.
Tears won’t help my grief, Masha began to think about how to get away from the bear. She lives with a bear. The bear brought her honey, berries, peas - everything. Masha is not happy.
- Why aren’t you happy about anything? - asks the bear.
- Why should I be happy? How can I not grieve! Grandpa and Grandma think you ate me. Bring them a gift from me - a box of pies. Let them know that I'm alive.
The bear brought flour, Masha baked pies - a large dish. The bear found a box to put the pies in.
Masha said to the bear:
- You'll carry it, dear, don't eat. I’ll look from the hill and I’ll see it.
While the bear was getting ready, Masha took the time, climbed into the back and covered herself with a dish of pies.
The bear took the body, put it on his back and carried it.
He walks along paths past fir trees and birches, where he descends into a ravine and rises up. Tired - he says: - What a heavy body!
I'll sit on a tree stump
I'll eat the pie.
Masha heard and screamed:
- See see!
Not far from grandfather's yard.
The bear growled:
- Look, she’s so big-eyed!
Sits high
He looks far away.
He walks and walks and says again:
- I’ll sit on a tree stump,
I'll eat the pie.
And Masha screamed again:
- See see!
Don't sit on the stump, don't eat the pie -
Very close to grandfather's yard!
The bear did not sit on the tree stump, did not eat the pie, and moved on. I reached the village and found Mashin’s house. Knock-knock at the gate! The dog barked. And others came running from everywhere. There was such a barking!
As soon as grandfather and grandmother opened the gate, the bear threw the body off his back and ran away. And the dogs follow him, catch up, bite him. Barely escaped.
Grandfather and grandmother saw the body, came closer, and their granddaughter climbed out of it, alive and well. Grandfather and grandmother cannot believe their eyes. They hug her and kiss her. And what can I say about Masha! I was so glad!
Grandfather, grandmother and Masha began to live in the old way, gain good things and forget the bad.
Fairy tale "Goat-dereza"
Once upon a time there lived a grandfather, a woman and a granddaughter Masha. They had neither a cow, nor a pig, nor any cattle - just a goat. Goat, black eyes, crooked leg, sharp horns. Grandfather loved this goat very much. Once the grandfather sent the grandmother to graze the goat. She grazed and grazed and drove home. And the grandfather sat down at the gate and asked:
“I didn’t eat, I didn’t drink, my grandmother didn’t tend to me.” As I ran across the bridge, I grabbed a maple leaf - that’s all my food.
The grandfather got angry with the grandmother, shouted and sent his granddaughter to graze the goat. She grazed and grazed and drove her home. And the grandfather sat down at the gate and asked:
- My goat, goat, black eyes, crooked leg, sharp horns, what did you eat, what did you drink?
And the goat responded:
“I didn’t eat, I didn’t drink, my granddaughter didn’t tend to me.” As I ran across the bridge, I grabbed a maple leaf - that’s all my food.
The grandfather got angry with his granddaughter, shouted, and went to graze the goat himself. Passed, passed, fed him enough and drove him home. And he ran forward, sat down at the gate and asked:
- My goat, goat, black eyes, crooked leg, sharp horns, did she eat well, did she drink well?
And the goat says:
“I didn’t eat or drink, but as I ran across the bridge, I grabbed a maple leaf—that’s all my food!”
The grandfather got angry with the liar, grabbed the belt, and let’s hit her on the sides. The goat barely escaped and ran into the forest.
She ran into the forest and climbed into the bunny’s hut, locked the doors, and climbed onto the stove. And the bunny was eating cabbage in the garden. The bunny came home - the door was locked. The bunny knocked and said:
- Who, who is occupying my hut, who won’t let me into the house?
- I am a goat-dereza, black eyes, crooked leg, sharp horns! I will stomp and stomp my feet, I will stab you with my horns, I will sweep you with my tail!
The bunny got scared and started running. He sits under a bush, cries, wipes away his tears with his paw.
A gray wolf with a tattered side walks past.
- What are you crying about, little bunny, what are you shedding tears about?
- How can I, a little bunny, not cry, how can I, a gray one, not grieve: I built myself a hut on the edge of the forest, and a goat climbed into it and won’t let me go home.
The gray wolf approached the hut and shouted:
“Get off the stove, goat, and free the bunny’s hut!”
And the goat answered him:
- As soon as I jump out, as I jump out, as I kick with my feet, stab with my horns - the pieces will go down the back streets!
The wolf got scared and ran away!
A bunny is sitting under a bush, crying, wiping away her tears with her paw. A bear is coming, a thick leg.
- What are you crying about, little bunny, what are you shedding tears about, little gray one?
- How can I, a little bunny, not cry, how can I, a gray one, not grieve: I built myself a hut on the edge of the forest, but a dereza goat climbed in and won’t let me go home.
- Don’t worry, little bunny, I’ll kick her out.
The bear went to the hut and let’s roar:
“Get off the stove, goat, free the bunny’s hut!”
And the goat answered him:
- As soon as I jump out, as soon as I jump out, as I kick with my feet, stab with my horns - the pieces will go down the back streets!
The bear got scared and ran away!
A bunny is sitting under a bush, crying, wiping away her tears with her paw.
There's a cockerel walking, a red comb, spurs on his legs.
- Why are you crying, little bunny, why are you shedding tears?
- How can I not cry, how can I not grieve: I built a hut, but a dereza goat climbed into it and won’t let me go home.
- Don’t worry, little bunny, I’ll kick her out.
“I drove him but didn’t drive him out, the wolf chased him but didn’t drive him out, the bear chased him but didn’t drive him out, where should you drive him out, Petya?”
- Well, let's see!
Petya came to the hut and shouted:
“I’m coming, I’m coming quickly, I have spurs on my feet, I’m carrying a sharp scythe, I’ll cut off the goat’s head!” Ku-ka-re-ku!
The goat was scared and would fall off the stove! From the stove to the table, from the table to the floor, and out the door, and run into the forest! They only saw her.
And the bunny lives in his hut again, chews carrots, bows to you.
Russian folk tale "Sister Fox and the Wolf"
There lived a grandfather and a woman. Grandfather says to grandma:
“You, woman, bake the pies, and I’ll harness the sleigh and go after the fish.”
He caught fish and is taking a whole load home. So he drives and sees: a fox curled up and lying on the road. Grandfather got off the cart, went up to the fox, but she didn’t stir, she lay there as if dead.
- This will be a gift for my wife! - said the grandfather, took the fox and put it on the cart, and he himself walked ahead.
And the little fox took advantage of the time and began to lightly throw everything out of the cart, one fish after another, one fish after another. She threw out all the fish and left.
“Well, old woman,” says the grandfather, “what a collar I brought for your fur coat!”
“There, on the cart, is a fish and a collar.” A woman approached the cart: no collar, no fish, and began to scold her husband:
- Oh, you, so and so! You still decided to deceive!
Then the grandfather realized that the fox was not dead. I grieved and grieved, but there was nothing to do.
And the fox collected all the scattered fish into a pile, sat down on the road and eats for itself. The gray wolf comes:
- Hello, sister!
- Hello, brother!
- Give me the fish!
- Catch it yourself and eat it.
- I can't.
- Hey, I caught it! You, brother, go to the river, lower your tail into the hole, sit and say: “Catch, little fish, both small and great! Catch, little fish, both small and great! The fish will attach itself to your tail. Make sure you sit there longer, otherwise you won’t catch anything!
The wolf went to the river, lowered his tail into the hole and began to say:
Caught a fish,
both small and large!
Caught a fish,
both small and large!
Following him the fox appeared; walks around the wolf and laments:
Make it clear, make the stars in the sky clear,
Freeze, freeze,
wolf tail!
- What are you saying, little fox-sister?
- Then I’ll help you.
And the cheat herself keeps repeating:
Freeze, freeze,
wolf tail!
The wolf sat for a long, long time at the ice hole, did not move from his spot the whole night, and his tail froze; I tried to get up, but it didn’t work!
“Wow, so many fish have fallen in and you can’t get them out!” - he thinks.
He looks, and the women go for water and shout, seeing the gray one:
- Wolf, wolf! Hit him, hit him!
They came running and started beating the wolf - some with a yoke, some with a bucket, some with anything. The wolf jumped and jumped, tore off his tail and started running without looking back.
“Okay,” he thinks, “I’ll repay you, sister!”
Meanwhile, while the wolf was puffing away on his sides, the little fox-sister wanted to try: would it be possible to pull off something else? She climbed into one of the huts where women were baking pancakes, but her head fell into a tub of dough, she got dirty and ran.
And the wolf meets her:
- Is this how you teach? I was beaten all over!
- Oh, brother wolf! - says the little fox-sister. “At least you’re bleeding, but I have a brain, they beat me harder than you: I’m struggling.”
“And that’s true,” says the wolf, “where should you go, sister, sit on me, I’ll take you.”
The little fox sat on his back, and he took her away.
Here the little fox-sister sits and quietly sings:
The beaten one brings the unbeaten one,
The beaten one brings the unbeaten!
- What are you saying, sister?
- I, brother, say: “The beaten one brings the beaten one.”
- Yes, sister, yes!
For children, a fairy tale is amazing, but fictional story about magical objects, monsters and heroes. However, if you look deeper, it becomes clear that a fairy tale is a unique encyclopedia that reflects the life and moral principles of any people.
Over the course of several hundred years, people have come up with a huge number of fairy tales. Our ancestors passed them on from mouth to mouth. They changed, disappeared and came back again. Moreover, there can be completely different characters. Most often, the heroes of Russian folk tales are animals, and in European literature the main characters are often princesses and children.
Fairy tale and its meaning for the people
A fairy tale is a narrative story about fictional events that did not occur in reality with the participation of fictional heroes and magical characters. Fairy tales, composed by the people and being the creation of folklore traditions, exist in every country. Residents of Russia are closer to Russians folk tales about animals, kings and Ivan the Fool, the inhabitants of England - about leprechauns, gnomes, cats, etc.
Fairy tales have a powerful educational power. A child from the cradle listens to fairy tales, associates himself with the characters, puts himself in their place. Thanks to this, he develops a certain model of behavior. Folk tales about animals teach careful attitude to our smaller brothers.
It is also worth noting that Russian fairy tales of an everyday nature include words such as “master”, “man”. This awakens curiosity in the child. With the help of fairy tales, you can interest your child in history.
Everything that is invested in a child in childhood remains with him forever. A child properly raised on fairy tales will grow up to be a decent and sympathetic person.
Composition
Most fairy tales are written according to one system. It represents the following diagram:
1) Initiation. This describes the place where the events will take place. If it’s about animals, then the description will begin with the forest. Here the reader or listener gets acquainted with the main characters.
2) The beginning. At this stage of the tale, the main intrigue occurs, which turns into the beginning of the plot. Let's say the hero has a problem and he must solve it.
3) Climax. It is also called the pinnacle of a fairy tale. Most often this is the middle of the work. The situation is heating up, the most responsible actions are taking place.
4) Denouement. At this point main character solves his problem. All characters live happily ever after (as a rule, folk tales have a good, kind ending).
Most fairy tales are built according to this scheme. It can also be found in original works, only with significant additions.
Russian folk tales
They represent a huge block of folklore works. Russian fairy tales are varied. Their plots, actions and characters are somewhat similar, but, nevertheless, each is unique in its own way. Sometimes you come across the same folk tales about animals, but their names are different.
All Russian folk tales can be classified as follows:
1) Folk tales about animals, plants and inanimate nature(“Terem-Teremok”, “Rock-Rock Hen”, etc.)
2) Magical (“Self-assembled tablecloth”, “Flying ship”).
3) "Vanya rode on a horse...")
4) ("About white bull", "The priest had a dog").
5) Household (“The Master and the Dog”, “Good Priest”, “Good and Bad”, “Pot”).
There are quite a lot of classifications, but we looked at the one proposed by V. Ya. Propp, one of the outstanding researchers of Russian fairy tales.
Animal images
Every person who grew up in Russia can list the main animals that are characters in Russian fairy tales. Bear, wolf, fox, hare - these are the heroes of Russian fairy tales. Animals live in the forest. Each of them has its own image, which in literary criticism is called an allegory. For example, the wolf we meet in Russian fairy tales is always hungry and angry. It is always because of his anger or greed that he often gets into trouble.
The bear is the owner of the forest, the king. He is usually portrayed in fairy tales as a fair and wise ruler.
The fox is an allegory of cunning. If this animal is present in a fairy tale, then one of the other heroes will definitely be deceived. The hare is an image of cowardice. He is usually the eternal victim of the fox and wolf who intend to eat him.
So, these are the heroes that Russian folk tales about animals present to us. Let's see how they behave.
Examples
Let's look at some folk tales about animals. The list is huge, we will try to analyze only a few. For example, let's take the fairy tale "The Fox and the Crane". It tells the story of the Fox, who called the Crane to her place for dinner. She prepared some porridge and spread it on a plate. But Crane is uncomfortable eating, so he didn’t get any porridge. Such was the cunning of the thrifty Fox. The Crane invited the Fox to lunch, made okroshka and offered to eat from a high-necked jug. But Lisa never got to the okroshka. Moral of the story: whatever comes around, unfortunately, comes around.
An interesting tale about Kotofey Ivanovich. One man brought a cat to the forest and left it there. A fox found him and married him. She began to tell all the animals how strong and angry he was. The wolf and the bear decided to come and look at him. The fox warned them that it was better for them to hide. They climbed a tree, and laid the bull's meat under it. A cat and a fox came, the cat pounced on the meat and began saying: “Meow, meow...”. And the wolf and the bear think: “Not enough! Not enough!” They marveled and wanted to take a closer look at Kotofey Ivanovich. The leaves rustled, and the cat thought it was a mouse and grabbed their faces with its claws. The wolf and fox ran away.
These are Russian folk tales about animals. As you can see, the fox is fooling everyone.
Animals in English fairy tales
Positive characters in English fairy tales are a hen and a rooster, a cat and a cat, and a bear. The fox and the wolf are always negative characters. It is noteworthy that, according to research by philologists, the cat in English fairy tales has never been a negative character.
Like Russian, English folk tales about animals divide characters into good and evil. Good always triumphs over evil. Also, the works have a didactic purpose, that is, at the end there are always moral conclusions for readers.
Examples of English fairy tales about animals
The work "The Cat King" is interesting. It tells the story of two brothers who lived in the forest with a dog and a black cat. One brother was once delayed while hunting. Upon his return, he began to tell miracles. He says he saw the funeral. Many cats carried a coffin with a depicted crown and scepter. Suddenly the black cat lying at his feet raised his head and screamed: “Old Peter is dead! I am the cat king!” After that he jumped into the fireplace. Nobody saw him again.
Let's take the comical fairy tale "Willy and the Little Pig" as an example. One owner entrusted his stupid servant to take a pig to his friend. However, Willie's friends persuaded him to go to the tavern, and while he was drinking, they jokingly replaced the pig with a dog. Willie thought it was the devil's joke.
Animals in other genres of literature (fables)
It is worth noting that Russian literature includes not only Russian folk tales about animals. It is also rich in fables. Animals in these works have such human qualities as cowardice, kindness, stupidity, and envy. I. A. Krylov especially liked to use animals as characters. His fables “The Crow and the Fox” and “The Monkey and the Glasses” are known to everyone.
Thus, we can conclude that the use of animals in fairy tales and fables gives literature a special charm and style. Moreover, in English and Russian literature the heroes are the same animals. Only their stories and characteristics are completely different.
Elena Mikhalenko
Tales about animals. Chick
Once upon a time there was a little yellow one in the world fluffy chicken. He was very lovingknowledgeable, he was interested in everythingBut. The chicken dreamed of seeing a forest, a river, a field and many other things I heard about from elders. But his mother always told him: “Be carefulwives, don’t leave the yard. A cunning woman lives in the forest a fox who really likes to eat little chicksflies, and high behind the clouds lives an evil kite,who can grab you with sharp claws and carry it away." One day the chicken still couldn't stopI huddled and went for a walk far from home. Kawho is huge and amazing world he opened! How interesting it was! And that's when the chicken was already walking on the way home, he suddenly saw above a huge black shadow.
Baby right up I guessed that this was the terrible kite. TroubleThe little chicken started to run as fast as he could, butThe kite was quickly approaching. It felt like a spaThere is no seniya. Suddenly the chicken saw a biga clearing where yellow dandelions grew.
“These flowers are as yellow and fluffy as I am. And I won’t be seen among them,” I thought chicken and quickly darted into the thicket. Oh, how his little heart was beating! When he I caught my breath and realized that the danger had passed, then I thought: “What wonderful flowers these are! They look like little suns and the same lass forged."
Meanwhile, the evil kite was flying over the clearing and thought: “Where did that chicken go? After all, he could not run far. There are only demons aroundsmart dandelions. Soon they will turn into fluff, and the wind will carry them away.”
And the golden dandelions swayed quietly heads and thought: “We will soon become pushinkami and fly away to who knows where. But still we don't we lived in vain in the world - we saved this life cute little chick."
Good tales about animals. Hedgehog
Once upon a time there was a hedgehog. Common: smallsmall, gray, prickly. And he also was sad because he lived as an owlseven one. The hedgehog had no relatives or friendsZey. He was raised by his old hedgehog grandfather, who ordered his grandson to firmly remember several greatpitchfork First: you need to take care of yourself and don't count on anyone. Second: you can’t trawasting time. And third: to no one are youry and prickly - not needed.
It was by these rules that the hedgehog lived. He didn't playwith other animals and did not go to visit. From a neighborI only talked about business. And just through the forestI didn’t walk like that - after all, I had to take care of myselfXia. The hedgehog knew that after warm summer and godthat cold snowy autumn will come with the fruits of autumnwinter. And in winter the worst thing is to be left withoutfood. That's why everything free time he spent onto make more reserves. Hedgehog onlearned better than anyone else in the forest to pick mushrooms and berriesyes, finding them even in the most secluded corners.
At home he dried them on a string and folded themon the shelves. Sometimes he brought wild apples out of a hundredfrom the garden, wheat grains from the field. Reservesincreased every day. And then one dayThe hedgehog was surprised to discover that his treasurethe way is full. “Now I won’t disappear in winter,”he thought. But just in case I decided to do itThere are also supplies in the room. It took a little bittime and it soon became clear - nothing moreThere is no need to stock up, and there is nowhere to store it.
“What to do now?” - thoughthedgehog. He began to sort through his wealth andread them, but soon he became terribly boredBut. And then the hedgehog went for a walk.
It was very strange to walk through the forest withoutany business. Look at the hedgehog with interesttree of bright flowers, colorful butterflies and variousfigurative bugs, listened to birdsong and strgrasshopper cat. “Well, taking a walk, it turns out,nice,” he thought, walking further and further alongpath. And suddenly the hedgehog saw an old squirrel,sitting on a branch of a huge spruce.
“Good afternoon,” the hedgehog greeted politely.
Is he kind? - asked sadly squirrel.
Did something happen to you?
It happened? I think no. I just came old age.
This is bad? - asked the hedgehog.
Good is not enough. I can't jump anymorebranches, collecting nuts. Yes, and gnawing them is already difficultBut. Picking mushrooms is also hard, because I’m badI see. So I think that winter will come soon, and,Apparently I'll have to starve.
The hedgehog was amazed, he never thoughtI think that it might be hard for someone because helal without any effort.
You don't have to be so sad, I'll try for youhelp,” he told the squirrel.
The hedgehog ran home, took the basket and left.climbed into the spruce forest. He knew that it was always possible therefind strong boletus. And indeed, toin the evening the basket was full. On the way backThe hedgehog picked some more ripe blueberries.
The old squirrel was still sitting sadly on in its place.
“Here, this is for you,” said the hedgehog.
To me? - the squirrel was surprised. - But this is not poor wealth!
Come on, it’s just a basket of mushrooms, - the hedgehog smiled.
No, baby. For me it's not just corea bunch of mushrooms. You saved me from hunger and sadnessthoughts that no one needs old people us.
And the hedgehog saw the whites falling from his eyes tears flowed.
I don't want you to cryKali,” he said. - Behindtomorrow I will come again to you.
Come. I will be waiting for you very much.
The hedgehog was walking along the path, he was very excited.For the first time in his life he found out that I maybe someone needs it and is waiting for him. It wasso unexpected and so joyful! When the hedgehog is alreadyapproached the house, he saw a hare neighbor.
She was very worried about something.
“Good evening,” the hedgehog greeted, “did something happen to you?
Yes, yesterday I saw a wolf nearby, and theynow I'm afraid to go far and leave the bunniesalone. But they want to eat, and I have absolutely nothing to eat feed them.
Nothing to feed? - the hedgehog was amazed. - UDon't you have any supplies at home?
What supplies are there! When there's so muchthere are little children, no time to walkthrough the forest, I have difficulty finding foodevery day to feed them!
The hedgehog ran home and brought it to the harea basket of berries and a few ripe apples, whichThey easily fit on his back.
Here, take it and feed the bunnies. Nowit's too late to go to the forest. And tomorrow I canbring you more.
Do you just want to give it to us? -the bunny was surprised.
She's used to seeing the hedgehog always like thisserious and uncommunicative. The animals evenMaybe he's stingy.
Of course, it’s not at all difficult for me to createpick berries, mushrooms and other tasty things.
“Come and visit us,” the hare invited.
The hedgehog entered a small house. There were sixTero tiny bunnies - cute, fluffy, up togullible. At first they were a little scared of himprickly needles, but then quickly got used to it.The evening flew by unnoticed, as it was veryfunny. Especially the hedgehog, because it was his first time in visiting friends!
The next morning the hedgehog, as usual, went with theZinka into the forest. Now he worked harderthan always. It turned out that caring for someoneVery nice. When he brought mushrooms to the old womanthe squirrel was already waiting for him. She prepared dooshitty Herb tea. The squirrel lived for a long time in the worldshe knew many amazing stories.The hedgehog was so interested in listening to them! Afterhe went to the garden to get apples for the hares, and theythey played happily all evening again.
Now the hedgehog's life has completely changed.He made friends, he was happy tocould them. And they also tried to pleasehis prickly friend. Squirrel storiestold him fairy tales, taught him to distinguish forestmeta. She really fell in love with the little hedgehog!The hare tried to prepare for his arrivaldelicious lunch, but the bunnies came up with everything but new games.
Soon the hedgehog met a magpie, whoher wing was wounded, and he began to bring hergrains of bread. There was a lot of life in the forestbodies who needed help. And nowthe hedgehog had so much to do that sometimes he didn't even have tothere was enough time. But he was never boredand was not sad, the hedgehog discovered many new importantrules He realized that when you only care aboutyourself, it doesn’t bring you joy. The hedgehog also found outthat doing good is very pleasant, and most importantly - everythe home needs so much to be loved.
Good tales about animals. Piglet
In an ordinary village courtyard livedNot an ordinary pig at all. In appearancehe was like everyone else: small, pink, withcheerfully curled ponytail and cute fiveby wheelbarrow. But it was a very neat little pignok. His fur was pink and clean,because he washed his face every day. Eatthe little pig knew how to do it without spilling a dropwhether or not 
when I went for a walk, I walked around all the puddles,so as not to get dirty. But no one will notice thischal, because everyone is used to thinking that piglets -dirty. Every now and then he heard the dogtold her puppy: “You eat like a pig!I turned the bowl over again!” And the chicken screamed atchickens: “Don’t get into the puddle, otherwise you’ll be dirty.”We’re like piglets!” And what’s most offensive: so doall the inhabitants of the yard were unhappy.
But one day the owner brought a new cow.She was very important and respectable. Cowslowly walked around the entire yard, looking at it
residents. Everyone wanted her to pay attentionthem attention. When the cow approachedlittle rose, she suddenly stopped and lookedstared at him with her big surpriseseyes: “Moo-oo, so clean and tidypiglet. I've never met anyone like that. Posput me and your mom together, m-m-maybe we let's make friends..."
The little pig was stupefied by the surprise.tee. He saw that everyone was looking at him in surprise.him. The piglet got embarrassed and ran into the barn.
He sat there and thought about what had happened whenYes, I heard the dog sternly say to the puppy:“You are so dirty that it’s a shame to go out with you
outside. That's when you learn to eat carefullybut, like our little pig, then we’ll go for a walk!”
And here little pig I realized that it was timethe happiest day of his life.
Good tales about animals. Duckling
In a swampy pond there lived a duck withwith your ducklings. And nearby on the aspen treenest sparrow family. Mother duck andmother sparrow spent all day working onto feed your chicks and teach everything,what is needed in life.
The children grew up quickly. The sparrows are already onWe began to fly a little. And more ducklingsthey loved to swim. They did it very wellGreat. And only one duckling
I didn't want to take a plunge. Honestlysaying he was just afraid dive into the cold new water. At first the mother duck tried to persuade himtry, and then I started getting angry. "You'reyou're shining a light on our family, all the normal ducks arethey swim red,” she said. And the brothers andhis sisters teased him about being a coward. It was so insulting!
And yet the duckling could not overcome his fear.
One day, when he was sitting on a hummock and warming himself onsun, a little sparrow got out ofnests and began to fly andjump from bump to bump. But his wings
were still very weak. Sparrow won't stopsqueezed and fell into the water. He began to choke anddrown. And then the duckling jumped up and jumpedinto the water and quickly swam towards the sparrow. Hegrabbed the poor chick by the feathers with his beak andpulled him onto a hummock, and fell next to him, gasping for breathfrom fatigue. When the little sparrow recovered fromfear, he said:
How brave you are, duckling. I didn't even know thatYou can swim so well!
“I didn’t know myself,” answered the duckling and smiled nulsya.
Good tales about animals. Little Frog
Frogs lived in a water swamp. All of themthey were green, big-eyed and loud.
Three little las grew up among themgushonka. The two older ones were terribly lazy andcareless. They slept all day, warming themselves on thesunshine. These little frogs were lazy evenchase mosquitoes and midges, because I eat themstrength mom. The old frogs often scolded them:
Shame on you, lazy people, isn't it mom?should I feed such big children?! You are soso lazy that you can’t even escape from a heron!
In response, the carefree frogs only laughedand shouted: “Kwa-ha-ha, kwa-ha-ha, this is just Pooh!”
But the third, smallest frog,was fast, inquisitive and dexterous. Hehave already managed to recognize every corner of my bolothose who knew how to get their own food and also knew 
manyyour useful things.
One day, returning from a walk, he sawbusiness that a huge long-legged heron approachedvery close to their home. The frog is veryI was afraid for my brothers. He quickly galloped towardshome and shouted: “Hurry, hurry! Save yourself!
The lazy frogs didn’t even have time to understand thathappens - so quickly they hid underhuge leaves of water lilies. Only nowthe little lazy people realized the dangerthreatened them. Several hours passed. frogthey calmed down and got hungry. Home cartit was dangerous to spin. Little frog said:
Mom won't find us here. You'll have tohunt for mosquitoes yourself.
“We don’t know how,” the brothers answered embarrassedly.
But it's quite simple! Look, skathe kid sat down and began to teach them how to jump andcatch mosquitoes.
Of course, at first nothing worked. I'll lie downthe hats jumped awkwardly and splashed funnybellies back into the swamp. But graduallythey learned to catch mosquitoes. They even like itI wanted to hunt.
When everyone was full, the lazy frogswhether to thank and praise your little one brother
You saved us from death! You are the smartest andthe bravest frog in the world, they said They.
The little frog felt so embarrassed thathis green cheeks turned red. He's embarrassedsmiled and croaked cheerfully:
Kwa-ha-ha, qua-ha-ha, this is just nonsense!
