ALBANIAN FOLKTALES AND LEGENDS

selected and translated from the Albanian byRobert Elsie

Second amended edition

 

For Hillary and Cameron Ward, and Erin and Ross Springinotic on Vancouver Island, and for Lea and Jack Pengally in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, and for all other children and adults who have never heard of AlbaniaFirst Edition: Naim Frashëri Publishing Company, Tirana (Albania) 1994. Second edition:Dukagjini Publishing Company, Peja (Kosova), 2001. Copyright © by Robert Elsie. All rightsreserved.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroductionAlbanian folk tales

 1.The boy and the Earthly Beauty 2.The scurfhead 3.The three friends and the Earthly Beauty 4.The three brothers and the three sisters 5.The youth and the maiden with stars on their foreheads and crescents on their breasts 6.The shoes 7.The girl who became a boy 8.The maiden in the box 9.The tale of the youth who understood the language of the animals10.The Stirrup Moor 11.The king’s daughter and the skull12.The bear and the dervish13.The snake and the king’s daughter 14.Gjizar the nightingale15.Half Rooster 16.The boy with no name17.The barefaced man and the Pasha’s brother 18.The foolish youth and the ring19.The princess of China20.The jealous sisters21.The grateful snake and the magic case22.The maiden who was promised to the sun

Albanian legends

23.Mujo’s strength24.Mujo and the Zanas25.Halil’s marriage26.Mujo and Halil visit the Sultan27.Mujo avenges Halil’s death28.Gjergj Elez Alia29.Aga Ymer of Ulcinj30.Scanderbeg and Ballaban31.Shega and Vllastar 32.Rozafat Castle