A poisonous snake is biting the village children as they take their cows to pasture. A holy man decides to intervene. Will the snake pay attention and change its ways? Listen to talented storyteller and musician Tuup tell this thought-provoking story from India and find out.

Stories are often worth more than gold. Listen to this bonus story for Saint Patrick's day told by Irish storyteller Kate Corkery and discover what happened to the boy who didn't have a story. It's a scary one - be afraid - be very afraid.

If you had to leave your family and move in with a group of animals, which animal group would you choose? Listen to Kim telling this Native American story and see how this young boy fares living with bears. (Warning this story is a little bit scary.)

What would you do if you were confronted by a stupendously mean and strong troll. Jason Buck tells this traditional Norwegian tale with amazing skill and certainly brings the troll to life. Have a listen. It is a bit scary. Eek!

When spiders unite, they can tie up a lion.' Or so the Ethiopian proverb tells us. But what can a squirrel do when confronted by a hungry lion? Listen to Baden Prince tell this delightfully funny tale from Southern Africa and find out.

One stormy day, a flying elephant crash-lands into the King's secret garden. A young gardener stumbles across this enormous creature. What will happen? To find out, listen to storyteller Kate Corkery tell this wise Indian tale.

A young boy living on an island, heads out with his brothers across a frozen sea on a quest to find fire. He has to be very brave in the face of great danger. Listen to storyteller Shane Ibbs tell this moving story from Iceland, and found out what happens when boy meets bear.

A hat seller heads out to market carring a sack full of hats for sale. He settles down under a tree for a little nap in the heat of the day, and when he awakes, the sack is empty. The tree above him is full of monkeys wearing his hats. What can he do? What would you do? Listen to Baden Prince telling this popular story told in India and Africa and many other countries - to find out what happens.

There are many versions of Rapunzel - the story of the girl locked in a tower whose hair is climbed by a witch. Today, storyteller Sef Townsend tells a Persian version of the story. Have a listen, and see if you can spot the difference between Sef's story and the one told by The Brothers Grimm. Warning it has a scary witch, so if you don't like the Baba Yaga stories, you might want to avoid this one. Of course, like most fairytales it has a happy ending.

Storyteller Jason Buck uses extraordinary sound effects and great characterisation to retell this funny English classic. Will the old woman succeed in persuading her pig to jump over the style? It’s a chain story so it would be a good one to have a go at telling yourself.

A girl is sent into the snowy woods by her step-mum, and step-sisters to find strawberries in mid-winter. It seems impossible, but she’s helped by a group of 12 mysterious people. Who are they and why are they helping her? Listen to storyteller Rachel Murray tell this popular Russian Fairy tale to find out.

Ha! Storyteller and comedian Tiernan Douieb finds humour in everything. Have a listen to this classic Italian Fairytale about a rather well-dressed trickster cat - to see how he outwits an ogre and charms his young owner.

If you take one good girl, one not-so-good girl, a terrifying Sicilian ogress and a handful of toads, and spiders – then you have the ingredients for a cracking fairytale. Add in a talented singer/ storyteller Emily Hanna-Grazebrook, and you have a gripping listen. Warning: the ogress is a tad terrifying, but she’s only a story ogress so worth being brave.

It's amazing what can happen on a magical Christmas night. An old traveller walks through the village cold and hungry. Will he be greeted with the kindness of strangers, or will the door be slammed in his face? Listen to storyteller Amy Douglas sharing this heart-warming story with a humorous twist in the tale and find out.

It's Christmas Eve, bitterly cold and the animals are hungry...but they all work toegther to help an old lady who is unwell. This delightful tale of transformation and friendship comes from Scotland and was shared by the late travellerand storyteller Duncan Williamson. Kate Corkery weaves her magic and leaves us spellbound.

Our second pre-Christmas story this week is a little bit scary, so if you don't like scary stories perhaps listen to story 130 The Scarecrow and the Hare instead or story 75 Father Frost and Star Child. This magical and scary fairytale from Norway tells of 3 brothers who go to the forest to find a Christmas tree on Chistmas Eve. But a grumpy troll is not at all pleased to have someone trying to steal a tree out of his forest. The youngest son challenges him to an unusual completion, Who will win the and claim the tree? Listen to Emily Hennessey telling this compelling story and find out.

This is the first of two stories this week. One gentle story, and one a bit more scary. This magical fairytale from the late Scottish Traveller: Duncan Williamson, is a gentle story about a scarecrow whose dreams come true on Christmas Eve. It’ll make you believe in magic. Beautifully told by Storyteller Shane Ibbs.

The King of Norway asks his friend Halvor to take a Christmas Present to the King of Denmark. A nice idea, but there are two problems: the present is a White Bear; and it's nearly Christmas Eve when trolls and goblins come out to make mischief. Will Halvor complete the challenge and make his way through the spirited woods with a bear in tow? Listen to Storyteller Chris Bostock telling this magical tale and find out.

The Golden Eagle is lonely high on this mountain ledge and looking for a new queen. Will the wise old owl living in the woods be the right match for him? Listen to storyteller and musician Nick Hennessey tell this beautiful tale and find out.

A little bird isn’t able to fly with his family to the warm countries as winter approaches, will he find a tree to shelter him from the cold north wind? Listen to storyteller Chris Bostock with this lively retelling of a beautiful North American tale and find out.