Part I: the art of the story-teller. The difficulties of the story -- The essentials of the story -- The artifices of the story -- Elements to avoid in the selection of material -- Elements to seek in choice of material -- How to obtain and maintain the effect of the story -- Questions asked by teachers -- Part II: the stories. Sturla, the historian -- A saga -- The legend of St. Christopher -- Arthur in the cave -- Hafiz, the stone cutter -- To your good health (from the Russian) -- The proud cock -- Snegourka -- The water nixie -- The blue rose -- The two frogs -- The wise old shepherd -- The folly of panic -- The true spirit of a festival day -- Filial piety -- Three stories from Hans Christian Andersen -- Part III: list of stories.