This KET-produced series features Appalachian, African-American, and Native American stories told by master storytellers.
Grade Levels: Primary-8
Resource Type: Videos, PDFs
Hardy Hard Head
A “Jack tale” in which Jack bets with a witch, told by Appalachian storyteller Anndrena Belcher.
The Two Gals
A story about a good sister and a bad sister, told by Appalachian storyteller Anndrena Belcher.
The Buzzard and the Monkey
An African-American tale, told by John O’Neal, in which the buzzard learns a lesson.
The Possum and the Snake
A traditional African-American story about character and deception, told by John O’Neal.
Jack and the Giants
A “Jack tale” which pits Jack against four giants, told by Appalachian storytellers Rich Kirby and Tom Bledsoe.
Soap/Cat and Rat
The tale of a forgetful little boy and how forgetfulness gets him into trouble and a story of how the rat lost his tail and got it back again, both told by Appalachian storytellers Tom Bledsoe and Rich Kirby.
Little Deer and Mother Earth
A Cherokee tale with an environmental message, told by Marilou Awiakta.
Rising Fawn and the Fire Mystery
A tale about cultural identity from Choctaw history, told by Native American storyteller Marilou Awiakta.
The Parable of the Eagle
A version of the African fable about how the eagle learned to fly told by Mama Yaa (Louisville storyteller Gloria Bivens).
Anansi's Rescue from the River
A story about Anansi, the trickster hero of Ashanti Land on the west coast of Africa, told by Mama Yaa (Louisville storyteller Gloria Bivens).
Wicked John
The story of a really mean man, told by Appalachian storytellers and musicians Tom Bledsoe, Rich Kirby, and Joy D’Elia.
Jack and the Magic Mill
A cautionary tale about greed, told by Appalachian storytellers and musicians Tom Bledsoe, Rich Kirby, and Joy D’Elia.
Ashpet
A mountain version of the Cinderella story, told by Appalachian storyteller Anndrena Belcher.
Mutsmag
The story of a humble gift and a brave little girl, told by Appalachian storyteller Anndrena Belcher.
Balaam Foster's Fiddle/The Banjo and the Loom
A tale about a pact with the devil, plus a poem, told by Appalachian storyteller Anndrena Belcher.
Passing It On
A documentary about the storytelling tradition with Appalachian folklorist Anndrena Belcher.