FOLK TALES FOR READING AND TELLING

Now this is the tale of a fox and all the things that went into his bag. It comes from England, and this is the way I tell it. Italics ours. And this is the introduction to Mr. Fox, one of the eighteen stories adapted and retold with abundant use of the devices--rhythmic repetition of words and phrases, cumulative iteration of detail, asides to the audience--that make for lively listening. Most of the stories are readily available elsewhere -- The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Hobyahs, The Story of the Man Who Wanted to Do Housework, Anansi and Uncle Bouqui-- but these easy-to-tell versions may be useful for the beginning storyteller (and the beginning parent).