introduces the origin of these tales, emphasizing their cultural variety and the art of storytelling. The first tale, "Donkey Skin," narrates the story of a beloved king who, after the loss of his wife, is compelled to marry again, but only if he finds a woman more beautiful than her. His adopted daughter, fearful of marrying him, seeks the help of her fairy godmother, leading to a series of magical and clever challenges including dresses made of sky, moonbeams, and sunshine. The narrative explores themes of identity, the struggle against unwanted fate, and the ingenuity of the protagonist, setting the tone for the whimsical and moralistic adventures that follow in subsequent tales of the collection. (This is an automatically generated summary.)