What are some familiar stories from around the world?

Well, 'Alice in Wonderland' is a very famous story. It tells of a girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a strange world full of odd creatures and situations. Then there's 'Hansel and Gretel'. These two children are abandoned in the forest but manage to outwit the wicked witch. Also, 'The Little Mermaid' is famous. A mermaid gives up her voice to be with a human prince.

The Scottish Kelpie is another spooky folklore story. Kelpies are shape - shifting water spirits that usually take the form of a horse. They lurk in lochs and rivers. If a person gets too close and tries to ride the Kelpie, thinking it's a normal horse, the Kelpie will drag them into the water and drown them. It was a story told to keep children away from dangerous water bodies.

The Loch Ness Monster is a well - known real unexplained story. There have been numerous sightings of a large, unknown creature in Loch Ness in Scotland. While some believe it could be a prehistoric survivor like a plesiosaur, others think it might be just misidentifications of known animals or even a hoax, but the mystery endures.

One good folktale is 'Cinderella'. It's known in many cultures. The story of a mistreated girl who gets a chance at a better life through magic and kindness is very appealing. Another is 'The Tortoise and the Hare', which teaches the lesson that slow and steady wins the race. And 'Little Red Riding Hood' is also great. It warns about the dangers of talking to strangers in a very engaging way.

There are numerous famous legends and stories. For example, the legend of Robin Hood in English folklore. He was a heroic outlaw who stole from the rich and gave to the poor. In Hindu mythology, the Ramayana is a well - known story. It's about Prince Rama's journey to rescue his wife Sita. Also, the Native American legend of the Trickster Coyote, which has many humorous and moral - laden tales.

In Australia, there's a beach where seagulls learned to steal people's reusable straws. People would be sipping their drinks through the straws and the seagulls would swoop in and snatch them. It was hilarious yet also made people think about how much these birds were attracted to human items.

In Africa, there's a charity that distributes mosquito nets to prevent malaria. It has saved countless lives. Simple as it may seem, this small act of charity has a huge impact on public health in areas where malaria is rampant.

In Greek folklore, the stories of the gods and heroes are really captivating. For instance, the story of Hercules and his twelve labors shows his great strength and determination. In Chinese folklore, the Monkey King is a well - known character. He has superhuman powers and rebels against the heavens. He is a symbol of mischief and heroism. Also, in Arabian folklore, the tales from 'One Thousand and One Nights' are full of magic, adventure, and love stories. Sinbad the Sailor's adventures are just one part of this rich collection of stories.

There is a story from South Korea. A group of local citizens were preparing for a patriotic festival. They were painting murals on the walls to show national pride. One person accidentally painted a character's face green instead of the traditional colors. Instead of being upset, they all decided to incorporate it into the design, creating a really unique and funny mural that still conveyed their patriotic feelings.

The folktale 'The Little Red Riding Hood' is very popular. It tells the story of a young girl who is on her way to visit her grandmother when she encounters a wolf. This story has been adapted in many ways and has important lessons about not talking to strangers. In Arabian folktales, 'Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp' is a classic. Aladdin finds a magic lamp with a genie inside that can grant wishes. And from Chinese folktales, 'The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl' is a beautiful love story between a mortal cowherd and a celestial weaver girl.