The Trickster Tortoise and the Rainmaker
How a cunning tortoise tried to seize the skies, only to learn that nature has its own justice
Top Courage Stories on GatherTales
Tales of courage celebrate the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. They showcase characters who overcome fear, stand up for what they believe in, and make difficult choices for the greater good. These stories inspire readers to be brave and face their own challenges with determination.
The Two Sisters and the Giant Hyena
Two Courageous Sisters Outsmart a Fearsome Hyena in an Ethiopian Highlands Folktale
The Midnight Masquerade of Dennery
A haunting Saint Lucian folktale of ghostly masqueraders dancing through Dennery’s streets until dawn
The Pirate’s Cave Legend
A Gulf Coast Tale of Hidden Treasure and Seafaring Rogues
The Haunted Deluna House
A spectral legacy stirs in the moonlit halls of Pensacola’s oldest abode
The Legend of Saint George and the Dragon
A chivalric tale of Saint George confronting a fearsome dragon to rescue a princess and restore peace.
Gordias and the Gordian Knot: Legend of Bold Resolution in Phrygia
A myth of Gordias’s clever ascent to Phrygian throne and Alexander’s daring solution that changed Anatolian lore forever.
Coward Man and His Enemy – Somali Folktale of Igal Shidad
A witty Somali folktale of Igal Shidad who outwits fear and foes on the desert sands.
The Lute Player's Journey Through Shadows and Light
A stirring tale of war, captivity, and the healing power of music in medieval Russia.
Casey Jones: The Timeless Rails of Destiny
A larger-than-life journey of one railroad engineer's heroic ride against fate.
Miss Sally Ann and the Panther: A Tale of Courage and Unlikely Friendship
A heartwarming story of a brave woman whose bond with a mysterious panther challenges norms and celebrates true friendship.
The Black Prince: An Egyptian Legend of Courage and Destiny
An ancient Egyptian warrior embarks on a journey testing honor, fate, and the power of redemption.
Bellerophon and the Soaring Spirit of Pegasus
A timeless myth of a hero, a winged steed, and the journey toward destiny.
The Ghoul of the Olive Groves
A young boy’s courageous journey to dispel ancient fears and challenge deep-seated bias.
The Mighty Exploits of Alfred Bulltop Stormalong
A rollicking tall tale of grit, adventure, and larger-than-life wonder across 19th-century America.
Heracles' Triumph: The Nemean Lion Conquest
A hero's struggle against fate and nature in ancient Greece.
The Enchanted Journey of Lakan and the Moonlit Bamboo
An ancient Filipino adventure of courage, magic, and the whispers of ancestral wisdom.
Calamity Jane: A Trail of Courage and Destiny
A raw, rousing portrayal of the untamed spirit of the American frontier.
Six Crimson Cranes: The Jade Princess's Quest
A princess, six cursed brothers, and a hidden conspiracy beneath the golden skies of ancient China.
Davy Crockett and the Great Mississippi Snag: A Frontier Legend
An epic frontier adventure of courage and nature’s mystery on the mighty Mississippi.
The Ayar Brothers: Foundations of the Inca Empire
A legendary journey of brothers that birthed the mighty Inca civilization.
La Lucha: The Owl of Agave Ridge
A tale of wisdom and courage beneath the agave skies.
María Leonza
A tale of unity and transformation guided by the goddess María Leonza in Venezuela.
Skinwalkers of Joshua Tree
An Indigenous heroine's journey to preserve her sacred land with the help of legendary shape-shifting guardians.