Wind of a Thousand Tales, Folk Tales From Faraway Places, may be performed as a musical or non-musical.

Kimberly-Kay doesn't believe in make-believe—she's a no-nonsense kid, too grown up to listen to fairy tales, too sophisticated to have a happy childhood. When her mother comes to tuck her in and tell her a bedtime story, Kimberly-Kay scoffs, turns over, and goes to sleep. That's when the Wind of a Thousand Tales (played by an Ensemble of 8 to 34 or more actors) decides it's time to blow in and take charge. Breezes take her to Mexico for a tale about Carlos, a handsome young man who has eyes for beautiful young women only, and Corazòn, who loves him but realizes she is far too unattractive ever to win his love. (We'll let you in on a secret: Corazòn does win his love, but you'll have to read or see the play to find out how.) The Breezes also show K-K a happy/sad Japanese folk tale and a funny, funny story that takes place in Central Europe. By the time she has heard the three tales, Kimberly-Kay understands a deeper sense of truth than she had found in a world without make-believe.

Wind of a Thousand Tales received its world premiere at the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, California, followed by productions by ChildsPlay in Tempe, Arizona; the California Theatre Center in Sunnyvale, and Vines High School in Plano, Texas. It is recommended for audiences of children from kindergarten through high school, but is enjoyable by adults, too. Playing time is 60-90 minutes, depending on whether or not music is used.

One act; Bare stage; Black unit costumes with accessories to indiate various characters.

"Playable by adults or children...The original production effectively used only a bare stage with a few props...Costumes were suggested rather than realistically detailed...Intended audience: Ages 6-14; adults also enjoyed the show...The show is both simple and highly theatrical, encouraging the imaginative collaboration of its audiences to create the different worlds of the play...The play has important messages for children, but avoids teaching or preaching. It's a lot of fun."—ASSITEJ/USA "Best Available Plays" Project.

"These excellent multicultural stories will intrigue viewers."—Plays for Children and Young Adults. "A well written script...The added bonus is a good dose of world culture—a good enough reason to engage the whole family."—Irvine, Calif., World News. "A clever and absorbing story...The place was packed with youngsters from 4 and 5 on up."—Long Beach News. "The magic of make-believe...Kimberly-Kay objects that a story isn't true. One of the winds replies, 'If it makes you feel something, then it has truth.' This production makes itself felt." —Los Angeles Times. "Our audiences, comprised of all ages from grandparents to very young children, were mesmerized by the story as well as the characters."—Carla Ford, director, Vines High School, Plano, Texas.

Also by Glore: Folktales, Too (a sequel to Wind of a Thousand Tales) and Rhubarb Jam