Have you ever stopped to really look at a spider’s web? If it’s only meant to catch flies, why does it shimmer with such delicate, beautiful patterns? Have you ever wondered what makes thunder rumble, why the ocean tastes salty, or how tigers came to wear their bold stripes? This collection gathers delightful “why” stories from many cultures and time periods—tales that imagine how animals, plants, and natural wonders came to look or behave the way they do.

In Go To Sleep, Gecko!: A Balinese Folktale, a grumpy gecko complains to the village chief because fireflies are keeping him awake at night. As the wise Elephant investigates, Gecko discovers a hilarious chain of events showing how every animal and even the rain play a vital role in the jungle.