A collection of timeless fiction from the literary greats.
Sounds,·100 episodes
The Emperor's New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of a proud Emperor and a couple of wiley weavers.
The Children's Joke by Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott’s comedy about children swapping places with their parents for a day.
The Baba Yaga by Katharine Pyle
Katharine Pyle's fearsome tale of the wild witch from Russian folklore.
Too Clever By Half by E. Nesbit
E Nesbit’s story about a cat who decides she could learn a thing or two from humans.
The Raspberry Worm by Zacharias Topelius
A cheerful Scandinavian children’s story about helping others in need.
The Tongue Cut Sparrow by Yei Theodora Ozaki
A Japanese fable about a kind old man and his magical pet sparrow.
Finn and the Scottish Giant by Harold F Hughes
The classic Irish legend about how the Giant’s Causeway came to be.
Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
Beatrix Potter’s much-loved tale about a curious little rabbit.
Tom Thumb by The Brothers Grimm
The Brother's Grimm story of the courageous adventures of a very small young man.
The Magic Bed by Hartwell James
A fantastical East-Indian fairy tale of Ant-Kings, magic bowls, and a beautiful Princess.
The Ants and the Treasure by MI Ogumefu
West African parable about a group of altruistic ants helping an animal-loving poor man.
The Tortoise and the Rain by MI Ogumefu
A Yoruba folktale about an enterprising tortoise who can control the weather.
The Elephant's Child by Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling’s story of how a young elephant, full of “curtiosityâ€, got a long nose.
How the Camel Got His Hump by Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Story about a workshy, humphing camel.
How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin by Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Story about a smooth rhino having a skinful of cake.
A Country Cottage by Anton Chekhov
Chekhov's story of a newlywed couple whose harmony is broken by an arrival off the train.
The Flower Gatherer by Edward Thomas
Edward Thomas’s story of a child exalting in the joy of summer, with a sting in its tail.
The New Dress by Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf’s sharply observed tale of a young woman’s fashion faux pas.
One Crowded Hour by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s tale of a highwayman taking to the Sussex roads.
Second Best by DH Lawrence
DH Lawrence’s powerful story about growing up and coming to terms with life’s realities.
The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield
Katherine Mansfield’s acclaimed story of a family are preparing for a lavish celebration.
Rats by MR James
MR James’ spine-tingling story about a young writer sojourn in a remote Suffolk inn.
Three Questions by Leo Tolstoy
Tolstoy’s timeless parable of a king seeking answers to life’s most important questions.
Wailing Well by MR James
MR James’ story of summer scout trip takes a sinister turn when Stanley breaks the rules.
The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky by Stephen Crane
Stephen Crane’s humorous story of a newlywed woman arriving in a raucous Texan town.
After the Race by James Joyce
James Joyce’s youthful vignette about a jubilant, heady summer evening spent in Dublin.
A Haunted House by Virginia Woolf
Woolf’s strangely romantic sketch of a ghostly couple watching over their old home.
The Postmaster by Rabindranath Tagore
Tagore’s tale of a postman leaving his job and the poor girl he's been looking after.
Holiday Group by EM Delafield
EM Delafield’s subtle and satirical story of a family's summer trip to the coast.
A Respectable Woman by Kate Chopin
Kate Chopin’s cleverly observed story about a woman’s ambivalence towards a guest.
