After dinner, especially in the cold winter nights, peasant families used to gather by the fireplace, dancing, singing and telling tales. In the large kitchen of the peasant house tales, rhymes and lullabies intertwined with episodes from real life.

At the end of the 19th century scholars interested in popular traditions went to Tuscany with the purpose of collecting precious material for their anthologies. Recordings and transcriptions prove the strength of oral narrative, which has been passed down from grand-parents to grand-children. Actually only a holiday in a holiday farm in Tuscany allows you to relive its authentic appeal.

• Away from mobiles, computers and TV, before going to bed listen to the old peasants telling their ancient tales by the fireplace in a farmhouse or in a holiday farm in Tuscany.

• Tales are for children... and for adults. Not only do they allow you to fly in the fantasy world, they also describe worlds remote in time. Details referring to characteristics of the region in which they have developed have enriched their timeless plots for centuries, thus telling a story in the story. The social and cultural characteristics of the region emerge from the magical context. Once upon a time...

• If your children cannot fall asleep, learn some lullabies: their meaning is sometimes obscure even for authentic Tuscan people, but their music works very well. The experience of many peasants is the best teacher.