Stories of Hope and Spirit: Folktales from Eastern Europe

Throughout history, Eastern Europe has been a battlefield, a crossroads, a place of conflict, and a place of resolution. The folk stories in this collection reflect the region’s diversity. Each presents a challenge and models the strength, wit, hope, and courage necessary to overcome them. They include: The Three Brothers and the Pot of Gold from Moldavia when the brothers discover something more precious than treasure; Nail Soup from Croatia shows how a small contribution from each community member can blend to create a masterpiece; and in Strawberries in Winter from Slovakia, the seasons of the year come to the rescue of an eastern European Cinderella mistreated by her stepmother. These stories are of Slavic origin, from the Baltic to the Balkans. In today’s time of global unease and anxiety, these ancient tales of hope and spirit in times of occupation and uncertainty resonate strongly.