school homework english moral stories

32 Moral Stories in English That Will Touch Your Heart

By Caitriona Maria

October 2, 2022

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There is a reason why moral stories have been around for centuries. They teach us a lot about life and remind us of what is truly important.

Today we will share 32 moral stories in English that will inspire your child to be a better person. These stories will surely warm their hearts and make them think about the world in a new way.

These stories deal with different aspects of life, such as love, family, friendship, and more. We hope you enjoy them!

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Moral Stories in English

1. the lion and the mouse.

Moral:  Kindness is never wasted.

A well-known fable by Aesop is “The Lion and The Mouse.” This story is about a lion who spared the life of a mouse. The mouse then returns the favor by helping the lion when he is in danger. This story shows us that life is full of surprises, and kind deeds get rewarded.

Read the short version.

2. The Ant and the Grasshopper

Moral:  There is a time for work and a time for play.

“The Ant and the Grasshopper” is another popular moral story. This tale is about a grasshopper who spends his days singing and playing instead of preparing for winter. The ant works hard all summer to store up food. When winter comes, the grasshopper has nothing to eat, while the ant is warm and well-fed. This story teaches us the importance of hard work and planning ahead.

3. The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Moral:  Liars aren’t believed even when they tell the truth.

“The Boy Who Cried Wolf” is a classic story that has been around for centuries. This story is about a shepherd boy who tricks the villagers by crying “wolf” when there is no danger. The villagers eventually get tired of his games and don’t believe him when he cries “wolf” for real. This story teaches us the importance of telling the truth.

4. The Hare and the Tortoise

Moral:  You can be more successful by doing things slowly and steadily rather than quickly and carelessly.

The fable is about a hare who mocks a tortoise for being slow. The tortoise then challenges the hare to a race. The hare runs fast at first but then takes a nap in the middle of the race. The tortoise slowly but surely passes the hare and wins the race. Slow and steady wins the race!

5. The Blue Jackal

Moral:  Don’t be too greedy.

“The Blue Jackal” is a moral story about a jackal that jumps into a large pool of blue dye. When he returned to the jungle, all the animals were confused to see such a strange-looking animal. Then he had a clever idea. He pretended that he was sent there by the creator of the universe and announced himself as king. Everyone believed him until they soon later figured out he was just a jackal.

6. The Goose and the Golden Egg

Moral:  Those who have plenty want more and so lose all they have.

In the tale “The Goose and the Golden Egg,” a farmer finds a golden goose. He is so excited about his new discovery that he kills the goose to get all the gold. However, when he opens up the goose, he finds that it is just like any other goose. This story teaches us that greed does not pay off in the end.

7. A Wise Old Owl

Moral:  When you speak less and listen more, you become wiser and smarter

“A Wise Old Owl” teaches us about being wise and the virtue of silence. The story is about an owl who is wise and hears many things. He spoke less and less and heard more and more. This is available as both a nursery rhyme and a moral story.

8. Jack and the Beanstalk

Moral:  Take advantage of the opportunities life provides for you.

“Jack and the Beanstalk” is a classic moral story passed down for generations. In this tale, Jack trades his cow for some magic beans. His mother is very angry with him but decides to plant the beans anyway. The following day, Jack wakes up to find a giant beanstalk growing outside his window. He climbs the beanstalk and finds a giant’s castle in the clouds.

Read it here.

9. The Ugly Duckling

Moral:  Don’t judge a person by outward appearance.

“The Ugly Duckling” is a celebrated Hans Christian Andersen story that teaches us about inner beauty. In this tale, an ugly duckling is born into a family of beautiful ducks. The other ducks make fun of him, and he feels very alone. He eventually grows up to be a beautiful swan. This story teaches us what ‘s on the inside counts and raises questions about bullying and discrimination.

10. The Brahim’s Dream

Moral:  Do not build castles in the air.

In the tale, a man called Brahim receives so much rice and is so happy he can’t keep his eyes off the bowl. That night, he has a dream in which he trades rice for money, and a series of events lead to him becoming a wealthy farmer and having his own wife and son. When he wakes up, he realizes that it is only a dream.

11. The Gingerbread Man

Moral:  Be careful when dealing with strangers.

In the tale, a gingerbread man comes to life and runs away from the people who want to eat him. He meets many animals along the way, but none of them can catch him. Eventually, he meets a fox who tricks him into coming close enough to eat him. This story teaches us to be careful of strangers.

12. The Three Little Pigs

Moral:  Hard work pays off.

“The Three Little Pigs” is a classic moral story that has been told for generations. In this tale, three little pigs build houses out of straw, sticks, and bricks. The big bad wolf comes and blows down the first two houses, but he can’t blow down the third house. This story teaches us the importance of hard work and doing things the right way.

13. The Fox and the Goat

Moral:  Look before you leap.

“The Fox and the Goat” is a tale about a fox who falls into a deep well. A thirsty goat comes by the well. The fox comes up with a plan to get out of the well. He tells the goat that the water is the finest. The goat jumps in, and the fox jumps on its horns to escape. This story teaches us to think before we act.

14. The Camel and the Pig

Moral:  It is always best to be yourself.

“The Camel and the Pig” examines the question: is it better to be short or tall? In this Indian fable, a camel and pig are arguing about which is better. They were both hungry. The camel could reach over a low wall and eat the plants from the garden. The pig could not. They came to another garden, this time with a high wall. The pig could squeeze his short body under the gate. The camel couldn’t.

15. The Emperor’s New Clothes

Moral:  Speak up for the truth and what’s right.

“The Emperor’s New Clothes” is a fun story that teaches us about bravery, vanity, truth, wisdom, and naivety. In this tale, an emperor is tricked by two weavers who say they can make him a magical suit of clothes. The emperor agrees to wear the clothes, but in reality, he is wearing nothing at all. It takes a brave little boy to point out that the emperor is naked, and everyone finally sees the truth.

16. The Midas Touch

Moral:  You should never be greedy in life.

“The Midas Touch” is a moral story that teaches us about being greedy. In this tale, King Midas is granted a wish by a fairy. He wishes that everything he touches turns into gold. At first, he is excited but realizes he can’t even touch his daughter without turning her into gold. This story teaches us that greed is not good.

17. Elephant and Friends

Moral:  Friends come in all shapes and sizes.

“Elephant and Friends” is a moral story that teaches us about being kind. In this tale, an elephant is not accepted because he cannot do anything the other animals can do. One day, a tiger comes to eat the animals, and the elephant helps his friends who are in danger. This story teaches us the importance of being kind to others and that friends come in all shapes and sizes.

18. The Fox and the Stork

Moral:  Don’t play tricks on your neighbor unless you can tolerate the same treatment.

“The Fox and the Stork” teaches us about being kind. In this tale, a fox invites a stork over for dinner . The fox serves soup but only gives the stork a shallow bowl, so he can’t eat any of it. The stork gets revenge by inviting the fox over for dinner and serving him food that he can’t eat.

19. Be Wise While Counting

Moral:  A witty answer will serve its purpose.

“Be Wise While Counting” is about an emperor called Akbar who often asked strange questions and riddles. Once, he asked a question, and his courtiers couldn’t think of the answer. One man named Birbal, who knew the emperor’s nature, gave a witty answer that served its purpose.

20. Three Billy Goats Gruff

Moral:  Don’t be greedy.

“Three Billy Goats Gruff” is a moral story that teaches us about bravery and greed. In this tale, three billy goats must cross a bridge to get to the other side. A troll lives under the bridge and wants to eat them. The first two goats trick the troll into waiting for a bigger meal, and the third goat is brave and charges at the troll. The lesson is not to be greedy for the biggest prize and appreciate what you have.

21. The Dog at the Well

Moral:  Always do what your elders say. Question them, but don’t defy them.

“The Dog at the Well” is about a pup who is told by his mother not to go near the well. One day, the puppy goes to the well and falls in. He barks until the farmer rescues him.

Moral:  Life still moves on after death.

“Bambi” is about a young deer named Bambi who is born in the forest. He makes friends with all the animals and learns important life lessons from them. One day, a hunter kills Bambi’s mother. His father, the old stag, eventually dies, and Bambi becomes the Great Prince of the Forest, and he falls in love with a young doe. This story teaches us how to cope with loss and devastation.

23. The Elves and the Shoemaker

Moral:  Be thankful for the help from others and try to help others when they need it.

“The Elves and the Shoemaker” teaches us the importance of hard work. In this tale, two elves voluntarily come to help a shoemaker make shoes. The elves do all of the work while the shoemaker sleeps. In the morning, the shoemaker wakes up to find that his shoes are finished. This continues every night until the shoemaker is rich. In the end, the shoemaker returns the favor.

24. The Clever Monkey Rides Again

Moral:  Don’t be a bully.

“The Clever Monkey” is a classic story from West Africa about a lion who is a bully to the other animals in the jungle. A clever monkey tricks and ridicules the lion, and he never returns to that part of the jungle again. Readers learn the importance of courage and not bullying others.

25. The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Moral:  God is willing to forgive us for our sins.

“The Parable of the Prodigal Son” is a bible story that teaches us about forgiveness. In this parable, a man has two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance and then leaves home. He squanders all of his money and ends up penniless. He returns home, and his father forgives him. This story teaches us the importance of forgiveness and second chances.

26. The Needle Tree

Moral:  Remember to be thankful and kind, and you will be rewarded.

“The Needle Tree” is a story about a mean boy who mistreats his brother. The mean brother finds a magical tree that produces golden apples. He threatens to cut down the tree if it doesn’t make more golden apples. The tree showered him with needles, and the caring younger sibling of the boy helped him. The boy apologizes for mistreating him, and the tree begins to give them both golden apples again.

27. The Milkmaid and Her Pail

Moral:  Don’t count your chickens before they have hatched.

“The Milkmaid and Her Pail” is about a milkmaid walking to town with a pail of milk. She’s daydreaming about all of the things she’ll buy with the money she gets from selling the milk. She is so caught up in her daydreams that she tosses her head and spills all the milk.

28. The Bear and the Two Friends

Moral:  A friend who does not help his friend in times of need is not a true friend.

In this tale, two friends need to get to the village, but they must cross the forest first. They come across a wild bear. One friend climbed up the tree and refused to help his other friend. The other friend pretended he was dead until the bear went away.

29. Pinocchio 

Moral:  Honesty is the best policy.

“Pinocchio” is a story about a wooden puppet who comes to life. Pinocchio lies, and his nose grows longer each time he tells a lie. In the end, Pinocchio learns that honesty is the best policy.

30. The Frog Prince Story

Moral:  Don’t judge a book by its cover.

“The Frog Prince Story” is about a frog who fetches the princess’s golden ball. The princess agrees to take care of the frog, even though she doesn’t want to. She grew fond of him. One day, the frog turns into a prince. In the end, she learns never to judge by first glance.

Read the extended version.

31. Robin Hood Story

Moral:  It is better to give than to receive.

“Robin Hood Story” is about a man who takes from the rich and gives to the poor. He wants to do the “right thing” and doesn’t want to let the oppressive laws stop him. Many believed he was a thief and a wrongdoer of the law.

32. Peter Pan Story

Moral: Everyone has to grow up and embrace the adventure

“Peter Pan Story” is about a boy who never wants to grow up and is eternally youthful. He lives in a world of make-believe and fantasy. Peter Pan needs to rescue the children from Captain Hook . He takes his friend back to Neverland every year until she grows up and can no longer go with him.

How To Make Reading More Interesting For Kids?

There are many ways to make reading more interesting for kids.

• One way is to read aloud to them with expression. This will help them to understand the emotions behind the story.
• You can let them choose their own books to read . This will help them to find stories that they are interested in.
• Ask them questions about the story as they are reading it. This will help them to think critically about what they are reading.

Using these methods, you can help your child develop a love for reading.

In Conclusion

These are just some of the many moral stories in English that have been passed down for generations. These stories teach us important lessons about life , love, and friendship. What’s your favorite moral story? Share it with us in the comments below!

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Caitriona Maria is an education writer and founder of TPR Teaching, crafting inspiring pieces that promote the importance of developing new skills. For 7 years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.

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25+ Best Moral Stories In English For Kids & Students

Here are 25+ Best Moral Stories In English For Kids & Students. Moral stories have been an integral part of every culture since time immemorial, resonating with people of all ages across generations. Through inspirational narratives, these stories give valuable lessons and principles that shape our character and help us discern right from wrong.

This article aims to compile a collection of heartwarming Moral Stories in English, each weaving its tale of morality and wisdom. Let us dive into the world of these timeless stories and draw insights that can enrich our lives. So, make sure to try all of them.

Moral Stories In English:

Moral stories often contain a message or a moral that imparts valuable lessons about honesty, kindness, perseverance, and other virtues. These stories present scenarios and characters that children and adults can relate to, allowing them to understand and learn from the experiences of others. We have collected more than 25+ Moral Stories In English .

Short Moral Stories In English:

Short moral stories in English are stunning stories that convey a valuable lesson or moral. These stories are powerful tools to teach readers, especially children, essential values and ethics engagingly and entertainingly. They often feature relatable characters and situations that readers can easily connect with. Below there are 10+ examples of Short Moral Stories In English to explore.

1. The Little Ant and the Rubber Tree:

Once, there was a little ant who wanted to climb a tall rubber tree. With determination, the ant kept trying, refusing to give up. Despite challenges and setbacks, it persevered and eventually reached the top. The ant’s never-give-up attitude taught us the importance of resilience and determination in achieving our goals.

2. The Boy and the Starfish:

One day, a boy was walking on the beach when he noticed thousands of starfish stranded on the shore. He began picking them up and throwing them back into the sea, one by one. A stranger passing by asked, “Why waste your time? There are too many. You can’t make a difference.” Smiling, the boy replied, “I made a difference to that one!” This reminds us that even small acts of kindness can significantly impact someone’s life.

3. The Greedy Lion:

In a lush jungle, a proud lion kept all the prey to himself, refusing to share with others. However, as time passed, the lion grew lonely and unhappy. The other animals had left due to his greed. Realizing the consequence of his actions, the lion learned the importance of sharing and friendly coexistence.

4. The Persistent Tortoise:

A racing competition was held between a fast rabbit and a slow tortoise. Many laughed at the tortoise, mocking its chances of winning. The race began, and the rabbit zoomed ahead, confident of victory. Unexpectedly, the rabbit got tired and decided to take a nap. The persistent tortoise kept going, slowly but steadily. When the rabbit woke up, it found the tortoise crossing the finish line.

5. The Greedy Monkey:

In a lush forest, a hungry monkey spotted a bunch of bananas hanging from a tree. Full of greed, it reached for all the bananas, filling its hands. But its hands were now too big to come out of the small gap. The monkey’s greed trapped it, unable to move or eat the bananas.

6. The Generous Gardener:

In a village, a skilled gardener toiled and nurtured beautiful flowers. One day, he decided to share some of his flowers with others. This act of kindness spread happiness throughout the village. People admired the gardener’s humility and the vivid hues of the blossoms. Inspired by his generosity, villagers also started helping each other selflessly. The gardener’s simple act of sharing taught everyone the incredible joy that comes from giving and caring for others.

7. Time is Precious:

In a small village, there lived a hardworking farmer named Raj. One day, he found a magical pocket watch. It could stop time at his command. Overwhelmed by the possibilities, Raj used it carelessly, wasting precious hours. Realizing his mistake, he decided to use the watch wisely. He started helping others, using his extra time for good deeds. Raj learned that time is invaluable and should always be well-spent.

8. The Honest Woodcutter:

Deep in the forest, an honest woodcutter accidentally dropped his axe into a river. A magical fairy emerged, offering to retrieve his axe or a golden one instead. The woodcutter chose his plain axe. Impressed by his honesty, the fairy rewarded him by retrieving his axe and gifting him the golden one. The woodcutter’s honesty brought him more excellent fortune and happiness, proving that integrity is always rewarded in the long run.

9. The Kind Sparrow:

In a busy city surrounded by tall buildings, a young girl named Lily noticed a wounded sparrow on the sidewalk. She gently placed it in a shoebox and took it home, nursing it back to health. Once recovered, the sparrow flew away, but not for long. Every day, it came back to Lily’s windowsill, chirping joyfully. The little sparrow’s unwavering friendship reminded Lily that acts of compassion and kindness are always reciprocated.

Moral: Kindness Never Goes Unnoticed.

10. The Enchanted Mirror:

Once there was a village where an enchanted mirror possessed the power to reveal the truth. People lined up to see their reflections, hoping only to see what they desired. But those who feared the truth shattered the mirror, never realizing the opportunity for growth and self-improvement.

Moral Stories For Kids In English:

This is the section about Moral Stories For Kids In English . Here are 5+ stories to explore.

1. The Lion and the Mouse:

Once, a mighty lion spared the life of a tiny mouse. Later, the mouse came to the lion’s help, biting through the ropes that trapped him. The lion learned that an act of kindness, no matter how small, can be repaid when needed.

2. The Wise Old Owl:

In a forest, a group of birds was mesmerized by the elegant feathers of the peacock. Each bird expressed their admiration, except for the wise owl who said, “Feathers may be beautiful, but it is wisdom that truly matters.”

3. The Clever Fox and the Grapes:

Once, a fox spotted a juicy grapevine hanging from a tree. Determined to enjoy the grapes, he jumped again and again but couldn’t reach them. Exhausted, the fox reluctantly gave up, saying, “Those grapes were probably sour anyway.”

4. The Wise Old Oak:

In a dense forest, a wise old oak tree named Oliver stood tall. Every day, animals gathered around Oliver, seeking advice. One stormy night, a group of frightened animals took shelter under Oliver’s sturdy branches.

5. The Curious Cat:

Once upon a time, there was a curious cat named Whiskers. One sunny day, Whiskers spotted a shiny object by the window. Ignoring their owner’s warnings, they jumped onto the shelf and knocked over a precious vase.

Friendship Moral Stories In English:

These specific section is about Friendship Moral Stories In English . Here are 5 examples to practice.

1. The Loyal Companions:

Once upon a time, in a dense forest, there lived a clever rabbit named Ruby and a wise tortoise named Toby. Despite their differences, they became the best of friends. One day, a colossal storm hit their forest, and Ruby’s burrow was flooded. Sensing danger, Toby carried Ruby on his back and found a new home. They realized that friendship is not about similarities but about supporting and caring for each other.

2. The Bracelet of Unity:

In a small town, three friends, Lily, Emma, and Sarah, found a magical bracelet. It had a secret power: when worn together, it granted extraordinary strength. Tempted by its power, they disagreed on who should possess it. Realizing their bond was more incredible, they decided to share the bracelet. United, they protected their town from evil. They learned that friendship is stronger when shared, and its power lies in sticking together through thick and thin.

3. The Caring Tree:

Once upon a time, in a dense forest, stood a mighty tree. Its branches offered shade and shelter to all the creatures in need. One day, a small bird took refuge in a tree during a storm. Grateful for its help, the bird returned the favor by picking off parasites from the tree’s leaves. Soon, more animals joined them, forming a beautiful friendship. The tree’s kindness created a community filled with joy and harmony.

4. The Ripple Effect of Friendship:

Once, two friends walked by a river. The first friend saw a drowning butterfly and saved it. Grateful, the butterfly granted them both a wish. The first friend wished for riches, while the second friend asked for kindness to spread.

5. Honesty is Essential:

In search of amusement, a mischievous boy repeatedly cried, “Wolf!” to fool the villagers. When a real wolf finally attacked his flock, the boy shouted for help. However, thinking it was another prank, nobody came to his rescue.

Small Moral Stories In English:

This section is for Small Moral Stories In English . Make sure to explore all of them.

1. The Power of Dreams:

A young girl planted magical seeds and watered them with love and hope. The seeds grew into beautiful flowers that spread joy and happiness. She realized that dreams have the power to make the world a better place.

2. The Value of Honesty:

A boy found a key but couldn’t find its owner. He gave it to a friend, claiming he found it. Later, he discovered the key was his father’s. The boy learned honesty is always the best policy.

4. The Beauty of Diversity:

Colors in the rainbow argued over who was the most important. To teach them a lesson, the rainbow disappeared, and the world seemed dull. They learned that each color contributes to the world’s beauty and diversity.

5. Being Content with Who You Are:

A frog saw an ox and wished to be as significant. The magical fairy granted its wish. But when the frog saw its reflection in the pond, it was disappointed. I realized that wanting to be someone else was pointless.

6. The Consequences of Greed:

A squirrel collected more acorns than needed, leaving none for other animals. When winter came, the acorns spoiled, and the squirrel faced starvation. I learned the importance of sharing and not being greedy.

7. The Rainbow Fish:

A beautiful fish had sparkling scales. Other fish admired its beauty but felt left out. The rainbow fish shared its rankings, making everyone happy. I realized that true happiness lies in sharing and caring for others.

The Power of Moral Stories:

• Moral stories have the power to teach important life lessons.
• Moral stories can inspire and motivate.
• They encourage critical thinking and decision-making skills
• Moral stories promote ethical behavior.
• These stories can help individuals process emotions, find hope, and heal emotional wounds.
• By reading or listening to these stories, individuals can develop empathy and a better understanding of different perspectives, cultures, and values.

Overall, the power of moral stories lies in their ability to educate, inspire, and shape individuals’ values and behavior.

Conclusion:

Moral stories in English carry tremendous significance, offering timeless wisdom and valuable life lessons. From character development to teaching important values, these stories continue to play a vital role in molding individuals of all ages. By embracing moral stories and their profound impact, we can nurture compassion, understanding, and moral integrity, ultimately creating a better society for future generations.

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Short English Moral Stories – Free PDF

Reading short English moral stories can help you learn important life lessons while improving your English.

Imagine opening a book or clicking on a story online. But this isn’t just any story – it’s a short English moral story. You might be wondering, “Why bother with these small tales?” Well, in this article, we’ll show you the great benefits of reading them.

You see, these little stories are like tiny treasure chests filled with valuable lessons. They can teach you important things about being a good person and making the right choices. Plus, they can make your English better and even help you feel more for others. I read some of these stories when I was preparing for my exams with examlabs and found them very interesting.

You can also get free 100 short English stories PDF down below.

Story 1 – Don’t Change The World

Once upon a time, there was a king who ruled a prosperous country. One day, he went for a trip to some distant areas of his country. When he was back to his palace, he complained that his feet were very painful, because it was the first time that he went for such a long trip, and the road that he went through was very rough and stony. He then ordered his people to cover every road of the entire country with leather.

Definitely, this would need thousands of cows’ skin, and would cost a huge amount of money. Then one of his wise servants dared himself to tell the king, “Why do you have to spend that unnecessary amount of money? Why don’t you just cut a little piece of leather to cover your feet?”

The king was surprised, but he later agreed to his suggestion, to make a “shoe” for himself.

Lesson : to make this world a happy place to live, you better change yourself – your heart; and not the world.

Story 2 – The Travelers and the Tree

Two men were walking along one summer day. Soon it became too hot to go any further and, seeing a large plane tree nearby, they threw themselves on the ground to rest in its shade.

Gazing up into the branches one man said to the other: “What a useless tree this is. It does not have fruit or nuts that we can eat and we cannot even use its wood for anything.”

“Don’t be so ungrateful,” rustled the tree in reply.

“I am being extremely useful to you at this very moment, shielding you from the hot sun. And you call me a good-for-nothing!”

Lesson : All of God’s creations have a purpose.

Check Also: Free English Story Books (Level 1) PDF English Story Books for Beginners (Level 2-3-4) Simple Past Tense Exercises (Short Story PDF)

Story 3 – The Hare and Tortoise

A tortoise one day met a hare who made fun of her. “My, my, you move so slowly, you will never get far!”

The tortoises, upset by the hare’s manner, said, “Let’s have a race and see who is faster.”

The hare laughed and said, “You must be joking! But all right, we’ll see who reaches the other side of the hill first.” Off he ran, leaving the tortoise far behind.

After a while, the hare stopped to wait for the tortoise to come long. He waited and waited till he felt sleepy. “I might as well take a nap,” he thought. “Even if she catches up with me, I can easily win the race.” So he lay down under a shady tree and closed his eyes.

When the tortoise passed the sleeping hare, she walked on slowly but steadily. By the time the hare woke up, the tortoise was near the finishing line. He ran as fast as he could, but he could not catch up with the tortoise.

Lesson : It doesn’t matter how slowly you go as long as you don’t stop!

Story 4- The Wolf and The Lamb

A lamb was grazing with a flock of sheep one day. She soon found some sweet grass at the edge of the field. Farther and farther she went, away from the others.

She was enjoying herself so much that she did not notice a wolf coming nearer to her. However, when it pounced on her, she was quick to start pleading, “Please, please don’t eat me yet. My stomach is full of grass. If you wait a while, I will taste much better.”

The wolf thought that was a good idea, so he sat down and waited.

After a while, the lamb said, “If you allow me to dance, the grass in my stomach will be digested faster.” Again the wolf agreed.

While the lamb was dancing, she had a new idea. She said, “Please take the bell from around my neck. If you ring it as hard as you can, I will be able to dance even faster.”

The wolf took the bell and rang it as hard as he could. The shepherd heard the bell ringing and quickly sent his dogs to find the missing lamb. The barking dogs frightened the wolf away and saved the lamb’s life.

Lesson: The weak can be cleverer than fierce and strong.

Story 5 – The Thirsty Crow

One hot day, a thirsty crow flew all over the fields looking for water. For a long time, she could not find any. She felt very weak, almost giving up hope.

Suddenly, she saw a water jug below her. She flew straight down to see if there was any water inside. Yes, she could see some water inside the jug!

The crow tried to push her head into the jug. Sadly, she found that the neck of the jug was too narrow. Then she tried to push the jug down for the water to flow out. She found that the jug was too heavy.

The crow thought hard for a while. Then looking around her, she saw some pebbles. She suddenly had a good idea. She started picking up the pebbles one by one, dropping each into the jug. As more and more pebbles filled the jug, the water level kept rising.

Soon it was high enough for the crow to drink. Her plan had worked!

Lesson : If you try hard enough, you may soon find an answer to your problem.

Story 6 – A Pond Full of Milk

Once there was a king who told some of his workers to dig a pond. Once the pond was dug, the king made an announcement to his people saying that one person from each household had to bring a glass of milk during the night and pour it into the pond. So, the pond should be full of milk by the morning.

After receiving the order, everyone went home.

One man prepared to take the milk during the night. He thought that since everyone will bring milk, he could just hide a glass of water and pour it inside the pond. Because it will be dark at night, no one will notice. So he quickly went and poured the water in the pond and came back.

In the morning, the king came to visit the pond and to his surprise the pond was only filled with water!

What has happened is that everyone was thinking like the other man, “I don’t have to put the milk in, someone else will do it.”

Lesson: When everyone expects someone else to take action, nothing gets done, and collective responsibility is essential for achieving a common goal.

Story 7: The Clever Boy

A man with his donkey carrying two sacks of wheat was on his way to the market. After a little while he was tired and they rested under a tree. When he woke up from his nap he could not see the donkey and started searching for the donkey everywhere. On the way he met a boy, he asked the boy, “Have you seen my donkey?” The boy asked, “Is the donkey’s left eye blind, his right foot lame and is he carrying a load of wheat?” The man was happy and said, “Yes, exactly! Where have you seen it?” the boy answered, “I haven’t seen it.” This made the man very angry and he took the boy to the village chief for punishment.

The judge asked, “Dear boy, if you had not seen the donkey, how could you describe it?” The boy answered, “I saw the tracks of a donkey and the right and left tracks were different from this. I understood that the donkey that passed there was limping. And the grass on the right side of the road was eaten but the grass on the left was not. From that I understood that his left eye was blind. There were wheat seeds scattered on the ground and I understood that he must have been carrying a load of wheat. The judge understood the boy’s cleverness and told the man to forgive the boy.

Lesson : This story teaches us that we should not be quick to judge the people.

Story 8: A Merchant and his Donkey

One beautiful spring morning, a merchant loaded his donkey with bags of salt to go to the market in order to sell them. The merchant and his donkey were walking along together. They had not walked far when they reached a river on the road.

Unfortunately, the donkey slipped and fell into the river and noticed that the bags of salt loaded on his back became lighter.

There was nothing the merchant could do, except return home where he loaded his donkey with more bags of salt. As they reached the slippery riverbank, now deliberately, the donkey fell into the river and wasted all the bags of salt on its back again. The merchant quickly discovered the donkey’s trick. He then returned home again but re-loaded his donkey with bags of sponges.

The foolish, tricky donkey again set on its way. On reaching the river he again fell into the water. But instead of the load becoming lighter, it became heavier.

Lesson : Deceitful actions ultimately lead to consequences that are harder to bear, highlighting the importance of honesty and integrity.

Story 9: The Fox Who Got Caught In The Tree Trunk

Once upon a time, there was a hungry fox that was looking for something to ear. He was very hungry. No matter how hard he tried, the fox could not find food. Finally he went to the edge of the forest and searched there for food. Suddenly he caught sight of a big tree with a hole in it.

Inside the hole was a package. The hungry fox immediately thought that there might be food in it, and he became very happy. He jumped into the hole and when he opened the package, he saw there was a lot of food, bread, meat and fruit in it!

An old woodcutter had placed the food in the tree trunk while he cut down trees in the forest. He was going to eat it for his lunch. The fox happily began to eat. After the fox had finished eating, he felt thirsty and decided to leave the trunk and drink some water from a nearby spring. However, no matter how hard he tried, he could not get out of the hole. Do you know why? Yes, the fox had eaten so much food that he became too big to fit through the hole.

The fox was very sad and upset. He told himself, “I wish that I had thought a little before jumping into the hole.”

Lesson : It’s important to think before taking actions.

Story 10: Wealth – Success and Love

A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said “I don’t think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat.”

“Is your husband at home?”, they asked. “No,” she replied. “He’s out.” “Then we cannot come in,” they replied.

In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened.

“Go tell them I am home and invite them in!”

The woman went out and invited the men in.

“We do not go into a House together,” they replied. “Why is that?” she asked.

One of the old men explained: “His name is Wealth,” he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, “He is Success, and I am Love.” Then he added, “Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home.”

The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. “How nice!,” he said. “Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!”

His wife disagreed. “My dear, why don’t we invite Success?”

Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: “Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!”

“Let us heed our daughter-in-law’s advice,” said the husband to his wife.

“Go out and invite Love to be our guest.”

The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, “Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest.”

Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: “I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?”

The old men replied together: “If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would’ve stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever he goes, we go with him.

Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!”

Short English Moral Stories PDF

  English Moral Stories PDF – download

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Very nice stories. Thanks.

8 Standout Short Stories With Moral Lessons

Nov 22, 2023

Sometimes, I want a short story to simply be a moment of escape. I don’t want to experience an important life lesson; I just want to be entertained like in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” or Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Other times, however, I want to soak in short stories with moral ideals!

A moral, or theme, teaches us something about ourselves and others. We get to learn and grow in some tangible way, and stories that provide this offering are necessary in the literary canon.

Keep reading below for 8 Standout Short Stories With Moral Lessons that you can use in ANY secondary classroom!

Need help with Reading Test Prep? Check out this  FREE Pack of 3 Test Prep Activities  to help students achieve success on standardized tests!

Table of Contents

A moral, for all intended purposes, is another word for THEME. A theme is the message of a text. Because it is a message, it MUST be written in a complete sentence and contain a connection to a topic or idea from the text. A simple phrase is not quite enough for a thematic statement .

Developing themes for short stories with moral lessons would be a fantastic focus while reading any of the texts below!

1. “To Build a Fire” by Jack London

I love “To Build a Fire” so much! It mirrors my own life in so many ways, which is why it is one of my favorite short stories with moral lessons!

The protagonist, a man with an overabundance of pride and confidence, ultimately fails in an extreme fight for survival. Like me, he believes he can defy the odds and escape an impossible situation.

Teaching this story with passages from  The Call of the Wild or  White Fang might help in rounding out similar ideas regarding the conflict of Man vs. Nature !

Click below for easy-to-teach activities for To Build a Fire by Jack London!

2.  “The Cactus” by O. Henry

One of my favorite things about this short story by O. Henry is its clever twist ending! Many short stories with moral lessons have similar twist endings, which could be why they make such great additions to thematic units !

O. Henry’s “The Cactus” tells the story of a budding romance. A young man tries to charm a young woman, but his boastful nature leads to an unfortunate misunderstanding.

Personally, I think we have all been there, at least when it comes to boastfulness. We all have something we get a little prideful about, to our own detriment most of the time.

You could teach a simple plot activity or examine how the characters change and/or develop over the course of the story!

Click to get teaching ideas here>>> The Cactus Lesson BUNDLE

3.  “After Twenty Years” by O. Henry

Loyalty is a concept students are extremely focused on in middle and high school, so including short stories with moral ideas connected to loyalty is a great way to encourage students to engage with certain texts!  How can a student even navigate the school hallways without friends to help along the way? Loyalty is vital!

But all friendships change over time as any adult knows. The main characters, an officer and a criminal, experience this situation in the story “After Twenty Years” by O. Henry !

Breaking down this easy-to-read plot through a focus on comparing and contrasting the two main characters will help your students get to the moral (theme) of the story quite easily, as you really feel for both characters (even the criminal one).

Click to buy this BUNDLE to make teaching this short story SIMPLE & EASY!

4.  “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury

The story “The Pedestrian,” like its title, is incredibly unassuming. A man in a not-far-off future walks his neighborhood alone. Unlike others who sit in front of screens day and night, the protagonist chooses to go for a stroll, a seemingly innocuous activity.

While on his walk, he encounters an unmanned, robotic police vehicle. Because of its programming, it cannot understand Leonard’s (protagonist’s) intentions and labels him mentally incapable, carting him off to an asylum.

This dark tale teaches about the dangers of reliance on and addiction to technology, a moral we can all learn from! If you need help teaching characterization and theme for “The Pedestrian,” go here !

Need some ideas for teaching scary short stories? Click below!

5.  “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry

If you are anywhere near the holiday season, “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry is one of the best short stories with moral attributes woven throughout!

This short story depicts a couple lamenting their slightly impoverished state. They want to give each other gifts to celebrate the Christmas season; however, they have limited means, like most people in the world today.

Instead of sitting around moping, they both choose to sacrifice the little they have in an interesting way in order to surprise the other for Christmas. The moral, or theme, involving sacrifice will encourage anyone who reads this short story to think beyond oneself during the holiday season.

Want an easy way to teach characterization, reading comprehension, and visualization for The Gift of the Magi ? Click the image below!

6.  “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst

I don’t know about you, but if you have read “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst , I know you MUST have shed a tear or two. Good short stories with moral elements tend to do so unexpectedly.

Two brothers, one of whom experiences a disability, interact with each other as many siblings do. There is a constant tug of war between brotherly love and annoyance that most people with brothers or sisters can readily understand.

By the end of the story, we cry with the protagonist as he weeps for his brother who dies a tragic death. This story may be difficult to read for some, but it is completely worth it.

We need to be reminded once in a while that life is not just about us and what makes us happy. It also involves investing in the lives of others, especially in the lives of those less fortunate than we are. Ultimately, patience regarding family must take center place in our lives, which the protagonist learns too late. If you need step-by-step activities to teach this classic story, see this link !

7.  “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant

I have yet to teach a student who did not like “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant . And engagement is super important when choosing short stories with moral concepts!

Unlike the female protagonist in “The Gift of the Magi,” Mathilde Loisel in the story “The Necklace” is self-focused. She cannot see the beauty of the comfort and security of her middle-class life.

Instead, she always thinks about the finer things in life she cannot attain. I think we have all been there a time or two. We may not envision the same “finer” things, but we all pretty much want more than we currently have.

When Mathilde Loisel is invited to a party, she borrows her friend’s necklace, a symbol to her of wealth. At some point, she loses the “expensive”  diamond necklace and replaces it without telling her friend about its loss. Now, deep in debt, she and her husband become embittered and worn down through extremely difficult physical work. The resolution of the story involves the revelation that the necklace was, in fact, a cheap fake.

Can you imagine the impact of this knowledge on your psyche? Sometimes, it is simply better to tell the truth, even if it hurts your pride to do so. Clearly, this story shines as a prime example of classic short stories with moral concepts everyone should read!

8.  “Thank You, Ma’am” (also known as “Thank You, M’am”) by Langston Hughes

During or around the week of Thanksgiving, “Thank You, Ma’am” (also known as “Thank You, M’am”) by Langston Hughes is one of THE BEST short stories with moral lessons to teach!

Let me give you a quick recap: A young boy attempts to steal a person from an older woman. Interestingly, she does not call the police and demand immediate punishment but invites the young man into her home, feeds him, and demonstrates love and care towards him.

Everyone could learn a thing or two from the older woman, Mrs. Jones.

Here are some thematic statements/morals one could learn from this story:

• Sometimes it is difficult to fathom someone’s kindness.
• Certain moments in life can change how you see someone.

Why teach short stories with moral lessons?

So often, our English curricula are rife with death, destruction, and despair. Think  Romeo and Juliet, “The Raven,”   or “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.” Don’t get me wrong; I love a good scare or death scene.

Sometimes, however, I want to feel hope in the human experience. We need to read about life, love, freedom, and other ideals that are important to us. Foremost, we must offer more short stories with moral lessons to our students, so they too can experience what can be!

If you want to make teaching short stories with moral lessons or other entertaining tales an EASY feat, get the BUNDLE below!

Need more help with teaching short stories with moral lessons? Check out my store  Kristin Menke-Integrated ELA Test Prep !

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7 Best Short Moral Stories

Short Moral Stories are a great source of entertainment along with their  learning  aspect. Some of the best stories that have been portrayed in movies or books always have a learning or moral element. It becomes extremely crucial to narrate and make your kids familiar with stories with great  morals . Stories can help in developing in kids while embedding essential values in them that they will require in the future to be great individuals and an important asset for society. Therefore, Podium brings you some of the best English short  moral stories  for kids to learn.

Clever Fish

Time is valuable, the gift of honesty, two lazy brothers, too many bananas, no smiles today, the magical cow, frequently asked questions.

A fisherman was heading to the river to catch some fish. He threw his net into the river and he just sat waiting there for fish to come into the net. He was fishing so that he could sell a lot of fish in the market and get some good money out of it. After some  time , the fisherman heard some hustle and bustle in the net. The fisherman thought he must have got a lot of fish in the net, he actually took the net out of  water . The fisherman was very disappointed because he only got a tiny little fish in the net, he was annoyed. He grabbed hold of that fish but  then  suddenly, the fish started talking to him.

Tiny little fish begged the fisherman to leave and let her go. But the fisherman did not pay any attention to the request of the fish. The fish kept on requesting the fisherman, “I can help you a lot if you think fisherman. If you leave me back in the water, I will tell all my friends about you and I will bring them near to the bank of the river. So that, when you come next time, you will have much more fish.” The fisherman thought to himself, “Wow, this is not a bad deal at all.” He was thinking if he let go of one tiny little fish today, tomorrow he will get a lot more fish because this tiny little fish will bring all her friends to me.

The Moral of the Story

The tiny little fish was able to convince the fisherman and he allowed the fish to go back into the river. The tiny little fish was really happy and swam away happily into the river never to come back. Poor fisherman, he came the next day expecting that there will be a lot of fish that this tiny little fish would bring. But that tiny little fish was very clever and because of her cleverness, she saved her life from the fisherman. So children, the moral of this story is you have to be really clever to save your life from such challenging moments.

Arjun was a very lazy boy. He always used to postpone things. He had a bad habit of procrastination. Arjun’s father was fed up with him, and that is why he emphasized the importance of time and  time management  to Arjun. He said that you should never waste time. Arjun promised his father that he would never postpone things from now on. One of Arjun’s teachers called him and told him that he had won the singing competition that was held a month ago, although, he needs to collect the winning prize the next day itself. Although as usual, Arjun didn’t care and went to take the prize the next day. To Arjun’s surprise, the prize was a ticket to the circus that was done yesterday, making the prize worthless. Thus, Arjun learnt a lesson from this incident.

The moral of the story is that time is very valuable. You should always do things on time and never procrastinate.

A long time ago in a village lived a painter named Jack. Jack was known for his honesty and nice behaviour. Although, Jack was a poor guy and he was a painter. His earnings were very less. His life was full of struggles and an entire day of hard work could only provide him two meals a day. He was wished for a bigger project so that he could earn a lot more. Jack was fully committed to small tasks as well.

One day the landlord of the village called Jack and said, “Listen to me Jack, I have called you for a very important job. Do you want to do it?” Jack replied, “Sure sir, I will definitely do it. Tell me what work is it?” The landlord then expressed his requirements and wanted Jack to  paint  his boat near the river bank. He wanted the work to be finished by today itself. Jack replied, “Okay sir, I will finish the work by today only.” Jack was very happy about getting work. Later the landlord asked Jack about his charges for the work, to which Jack replied, “I generally charge 1500 bucks for this job, rest you have to decide.” The landlord agreed to Jack’s charges of 1500 bucks and asked that the work should be good. Jack reassured the landlord and asked him not to worry.

The landlord then took Jack near the river to see his boat. After seeing the boat, Jack asked for some time from the landlord as he went away to bring his materials and stuff. As soon as Jack returned with his material, he started  painting  the boat. As Jack was painting the boat, he noticed a big hole in the boat.

Jack thought if he  paints  the boat without fixing the hole, the boat will sink and decided to first block the hole and then continue with his painting. Jack then blocked the hole and painted the whole boat later. He then went to the landlord and informed him that the work is finished. The landlord agreed and asked Jack to accompany him to the boat. They reached the shore and the landlord said to Jack as he saw the boat, “Wow Jack! You have done commendable work. Do me a favour, visit me tomorrow morning and collect your wages.” Both of them then headed straight to their homes.

The  family  of the landlord went sightseeing a day after in the same boat. Later in the evening, the servant of the landlord, Charlie, returned from vacation and enquired about everyone as he couldn’t spot anyone in the house. The landlord told him everything. On listening to the landlord, Charlie got stressed. The landlord asked Charlie after seeing him stressed, “What happened Charlie? Why do you look so tensed?” Charlie told him about the hole in the boat. The landlord freaked out after hearing this.

Within a few minutes, the family of the landlord returned back home after a day-long journey. The landlord took a sigh of relief after seeing his wife and kids completely fine. The next day, the landlord called Jack and said to him, “Here Jack, take your pay. You have done a great job. I am very happy with your work quality.” After counting the money, Jack got massively surprised. The amount was more than what he was hired for. Jack said to the landlord, “Sir, you have given me more amount by mistake.” “No Jack, I haven’t paid you any extra amount. Take it, you deserve this money, it is all yours” the landlord added. Jack questioned again, “But sir we agreed for only 1500 bucks. These are 6000 bucks. How come it is the right time.”

The landlord later explained to Jack that the increase in money is because Jack has done great work. Jack got confused. The landlord then continued, “You blocked the hole in the boat about which I was totally unaware of. If you wanted, you could have left the hole as it was or could have asked for more money but you didn’t either of them. Because of you blocking the hole, my family was able to travel safely in the boat. Had not you blocked the hole, my family could have drowned. Because of you only they are safe. This is why this money is for you, your hard work, and your honesty.”

Jack got very happy for the money and for the landlord’s kindness. Jack then thanked the landlord and happily went back to his home.

Honesty and hard work always pay off in the end.

In a state lived two brothers named Tim and George. They were slackers since childhood. The reason behind them lingering here and there was their lazy attitude. Whenever they were told to work, they used to sleep due to their lazy attitude. Tim and George’s mother was fed up with them. She couldn’t figure out what she must do to make her kids work hard. One day Tim and George were resting under a mango  tree . After some time, a mango fell in between them. Since both of them were feeling extremely lazy, none of them made efforts to pick the mango. They just kept on staring at the mango.

As they were resting, the minister of the state was passing by the same route. On seeing the minister, Tim said to the minister, “Good afternoon Minister. We need a favour from you.” The minister replied, “Are you two being serious?” Tim continued, “If possible, can you please pass me this mango?” The minister found Tim very weird. He said, “the mango is lying in front of you. You can pick it yourself.” Tim replied, “It is not possible for me sir. I will have to work very hard to grab it.” “What sort of hard work is this?” The Minister replied and added, “You can’t lean your body two inches further?” to which Geroge replied, “Yes sir, this is the only problem. Who likes to work? Please give us the mango.”

The minister got angry as he disliked their laidback attitude and went away. Tim and George remained intact in their positions. The minister then went to Tim and George’s place and met their mother. Their mother claimed she doesn’t know how to change them. The minister asked their mother to send them to his palace.

Both Tim and George went to the palace the other day and met the king. The king said to Tim and George, “I have some special work for you two. From tomorrow onwards, you two will guard one end of the palace. Since you both don’t like to do so much work, you will be able to do this task.” The minister asked both of them to be careful as there is a lot of precious material in the area that Tim and George will be guarding and we don’t want any sort of mishappening.

Tim and George then begin to guard the palace. But after some time, they sat down and slept. Due to their carelessness, that end of the palace got robbed. The next morning when they woke up, they found the minister standing in front of them. The minister yells at them and expressed his disappointment. The minister emphasized, “Because of your laziness, the minister has suffered heavy losses last night. You two are punishable for a death penalty now.” As soon as they heard the minister, both Tim and George freaked out. As soon as they are presented in front of  the lion , they bow down to the king and cry for their lives. After hearing their plea, the king forgave Tim and George.

From this story, we learned the lesson that we must never be lazy.

Shringeri Shrinivas was having a very bad day. He asked so many people to take the bananas that he had grown on his farm. “No, thank you,” they all said. “The quality of the bananas are too good, we like them but we have had too many. We cannot eat anymore.” Poor Shringeri Shrinivas! He then got the idea to take assistance from the Farmer’s Centre in Doddooru, a big town near his village. Off he went, carrying the best crop of bananas.

A few days later, Shringeri Shrinivas returned home looking very happy. He started growing bananas on his farm amusingly now. Although this time around, Shringeri did not offer  fruits  to anybody surprisingly. Not to his family, not to his neighbour, not to his friends, not to the traders, and not even to his cows! Everyone became very curious. Where were all the bananas going? Then one-day Shivanna, Shringeri’s neighbour organized a big pooja to please the Gods. The priest of the pooja requested Shivanna to gather 108 ripe bananas as they will be essential to the pooja. Shivanna ran to Shringeri Shrinivas. “I am sorry for saying no to you before but now I need 108 ripe bananas. Can you help me, please?’ Shringeri Shrinivas tapped his chin. “Well, let me see what I can do”

The pooja started. The whole village came to watch. The priest began chanting. Then the priest asked for the bananas to offer them to the gods. Just then, in came Shringeri Shrinivas carrying a big bag. From the bag, he carefully took out 27 packets. On each packet was written- “High-Quality Banana Halwa, S.S. Farms.” Shringeri Shrinivas offered one to the priest. “Each packet contains the pulp of four bananas. There are 27 packets. So here are your 108 ripe bananas!” This later cracked up the entire village and everyone started laughing at Shringeri Shrinivas. This made it clear what Shringeri has been doing with all those bananas now.

Never act too smart and become overconfident.

Shanti and Arun were good friends. Shanti was always cheerful. One day, Shanti walked into the classroom slowly. Her head was bent down. She looked sad. “Did someone scold you?” asked Arun. Shanti shook her head. She sat down and did not lookup. She did not answer ‘Present!’ when Miss Sona called her name. Miss Sona called again, louder this time, “Shanti Kumari!” Shanti raised her hand. “Do you have a sore throat?” her teacher asked. Shanti shook her head. “Are you feeling okay?” Miss Sona asked. Shanti stayed quiet.

Arun wanted to make her smile. He had an idea! He took something out from his bag. When he ran to show it to Shanti, he slipped and the item went flying towards Shanti. Shanti saw it and caught it. It was a big green rubber frog! Shanti’s eyes flew open. She opened her mouth to laugh. That is when Arun and her friends saw why she had not smiled or talked all day! Four of her front teeth were missing!

Always surround yourself with good company and friends and be there for one another in whatever way possible.

A long time ago in a small village lived two farmers named Lewis and Harry. Lewis and Harry were very rich farmers. They had a huge farm and many cows but they were not happy, they wanted more. In their neighbourhood lived another farmer named George. George was a poor farmer. He had only one cow and a small farm. But he was happy with what he had. Every night before sleeping, he used to thank god for what he had. Everything was running smoothly until one day Lewis and Harry came to George’s house to purchase his cow. But George didn’t want to sell his beloved cow, so he clearly said, “I don’t want to sell my cow, please leave my house.” Hearing George’s response, Lewis and Harry got angry. They decided to take revenge and they made a plan.

They burned George’s crop at night. George saw his farm in the morning and he was heartbroken. Even after a week, he could not think of any solution. Also, the poor cow starved as he could not feed her. So he thought it is better to sell the cow as he couldn’t feed her. The next morning, along with the cow, he took whatever little silver coins he had and left for the market. On the way to market, George thought of what if some robbers attack me on the way. Because of that, he hid his silver coins in the pocket of the cow’s jacket. After travelling for a while, he got tired and decided to rest in an inn. He tied the cow outside the inn and went inside.

Just then suddenly, a silver coin rolled out of the cow’s jacket. The owner of the inn saw this and he got amazed thinking this must be a magical cow. The owner got greedy. He approached George and asked him to sell the cow to him for a pouch of silver coins. George knew this is not the actual price but thinking this was God’s wish, George agreed to sell the cow to the inn’s owner. George took the pouch of silver coins and left happily back to his village. On reaching his house, he sat on his bed and begin to count the coins.

Just then Lewis and Harry came to his house to mock him but they found that George is surrounded by many silver coins. They were surprised. They could not believe their eyes. George told them everything and after hearing his story, Lewis and Harry couldn’t believe their plan had failed. They planned so much to take revenge but they ended up with nothing.

From this story, we learned that nothing can be gained by doing harm to another person.

In this article, we learned multiple stories and the morals that they had in them. It is important for kids to read such stories and incorporate the good values shown and portrayed in the stories as it is a major part of their development. However, we should also focus on the evil characters in the stories and learn what to not do in the future and become good human beings. 

You can also check out how to write a short story yourself here!

Question 01: Are moral stories a necessity for a kid’s development?

Answer: Yes. they are, as moral stories teach kids the difference between what is right and what is wrong.

Question 02: Name some short story authors that one should know.

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30 Best Moral stories in English with Good Moral

In the mesmerizing world of storytelling, where every word builds a colourful fabric of lessons and inspiration, we present “30 Engaging Moral Stories in English.” These aren’t simply stories, they’re lights of knowledge, each with a significant lesson at its centre.

These stories provide vital insights into the human experience and the values that define our lives, from the uplifting experiences of loving animals to the journeys of outstanding men. Join us on an unforgettable journey through these engaging stories, each story indicated to leave you with a useful lesson that you may keep with you throughout your life’s chapters.

1. The Kind Elephant

In a lush jungle, there lived a wise and kind elephant named Ellie. Animals from all around sought her advice because she was known for her gentle wisdom.

One day, Leo, a young and boastful lion, challenged Ellie to a strength contest. But Ellie proposed a different challenge: to make the most animals smile in a day.

Leo roared at the animals, trying to make them smile, but they were too scared. Ellie, on the other hand, listened to their problems and shared her wisdom, bringing smiles to their faces. By the end of the day, Ellie had won the contest.

Leo realized that true greatness was not just about strength but also about kindness and wisdom. He asked Ellie to teach him, and from that day on, he became a wiser and kinder king.

Moral: True greatness comes from kindness and wisdom, not just physical strength.

2. The Magical Paintbrush

In a small village, there lived a poor but talented artist named Mia. She dreamed of a magic paintbrush that could bring her paintings to life. One day, an old man gave her a magical paintbrush.

Mia began to create beautiful paintings, and every stroke of the brush made her creations come alive. She used this power to help her village, making food and shelter for those in need.

But word of her magic paintbrush reached a greedy king who demanded it for himself. Mia refused, and the king grew angry. He sent his soldiers to take the brush by force. When they tried, the brush painted a fierce storm, and the soldiers fled.

Mia, realizing the brush’s potential for misuse, decided to hide it where no one could find it. She continued to use her art to bring happiness and prosperity to her village, teaching them that true magic lies in kindness and creativity.

Moral: True magic is found in kindness and creativity, not in material possessions.

3. The Three Seeds of Hope

Once, there was a boy named Sam who found three different seeds. He decided to plant them in his garden.

The first seed grew into a tall, strong tree that bore delicious fruits. Sam shared the fruits with the hungry villagers, and they were grateful.

The second seed grew into a small but sturdy bush covered in colourful flowers. Sam used these flowers to make perfumes and oils, creating a successful business that supported his family.

The third seed, however, yielded only thorns and weeds. Sam considered uprooting it, but he decided to give it another chance. He removed the thorns and took good care of it. Over time, the patch turned into a beautiful garden with fragrant flowers and herbs, becoming a place of peace for the villagers.

Moral: With patience and care, even seemingly unpromising situations can turn into something beautiful.

4. The Kind Swan and the Crow

In a serene pond, there was a beautiful white swan named Sarah. She was known for her grace and kindness to all the creatures in the pond.

One winter, a poor injured crow named Cody asked Sarah for help. Despite their differences, Sarah allowed Cody to share her nest and fed him with her beak. She nursed him back to health.

As Cody regained his strength, he became greedy and wanted Sarah’s nest for himself. He tricked Sarah into leaving by telling her about a supposedly better lake. When she arrived, she found it was polluted and inhospitable.

Sarah returned to her old pond, tired and weak, but the other animals had seen her kindness and Cody’s betrayal. They chased Cody away, and Sarah was welcomed back with open wings.

Moral: Kindness and gratitude are rewarded with true friendship and support.

5. The Boy and the Starfish

On a vast beach, a young boy named Liam spent his days picking up stranded starfish and throwing them back into the ocean. A man passing by asked, “Why bother? You can’t save them all. What difference does it make?”

Liam picked up another starfish, tossed it into the water, and replied, “It made a difference to that one.”

He continued his mission, saving as many starfish as he could, one at a time, while the man watched in silence.

Moral: Small acts of kindness can make a big difference, even if we can’t help everyone.

6. The Greedy Squirrel

In a peaceful forest, there lived a squirrel named Sammy. Sammy was known for being very greedy. He would collect far more acorns than he needed, leaving his fellow animals with fewer to gather.

One day, a wise old owl named Olivia noticed Sammy’s behaviour and decided to teach him a lesson. She offered Sammy a deal. She would give him a magical bag that could hold as many acorns as he wanted, but it came with a catch. For every acorn he put in, he had to give one to his friends.

At first, Sammy grumbled but agreed to the deal. As he began sharing with his friends, he noticed something amazing. The more he gave, the more his friendships grew, and the happier he felt. In the end, he realized that being greedy had never brought him happiness, but sharing and kindness did.

Moral: Sharing and kindness lead to true happiness, while greed leaves you empty.

7. The Caring Sunflower

In a sunny garden, there was a beautiful sunflower named Sunny. She was the tallest and brightest in the garden, and all the other flowers looked up to her.

One day, a tiny daisy named Daisy was struggling to grow because she wasn’t getting enough sunlight. Sunny noticed Daisy’s predicament and leaned her head to provide shade and warmth. Daisy began to thrive with Sunny’s help.

As the days passed, Sunny’s stem grew weaker, and her petals began to droop. She sacrificed her own well-being to help Daisy. When the other flowers saw what Sunny had done, they rallied around her, providing support and nourishment.

Sunny may have lost some of her bright petals, but she gained something more valuable: the love and gratitude of her fellow flowers.

Moral: True beauty lies not in appearances but in the kindness and care we show to others.

8. The Little Engine That Could

In a busy toyland, there was a little blue engine who loved to help others. She wasn’t the biggest or the strongest, but she had a determined spirit. One day, a big toy train needed to be pulled over a high mountain, but the strong engines refused, saying it was too heavy.

The little blue engine stepped forward and said, “I think I can.” With great effort and determination, she started pulling the heavy load up the steep mountain, repeating to herself, “I think I can, I think I can.”

Despite the challenge, the little blue engine persevered and successfully carried the load over the mountain. She had shown that determination and a positive attitude could accomplish great things.

Moral: With determination and a positive attitude, even the smallest can achieve great feats.

9. The Fox and the Crow

In a forest, a clever fox named Felix watched a crow perched on a tree branch with a delicious piece of cheese in its beak. The crow felt proud of its prized possession.

Felix wanted the cheese and hatched a cunning plan. He praised the crow’s beautiful voice, saying, “I’m sure your singing is as lovely as your appearance. Please, sing a song for me.”

Flattered, the crow opened its beak to sing, and the cheese fell to the ground. Felix quickly grabbed it and ran away.

The crow learned a valuable lesson: beware of flattery and vanity, for they can lead to one’s downfall.

Moral: Don’t be easily swayed by flattery and always stay humble.

10. The Ant and the Grasshopper

In a meadow, there were two insects, an ant and a grasshopper. The ant was diligent and spent the summer gathering food, preparing for the coming winter. The grasshopper, however, spent the summer singing and playing, believing there was plenty of time.

When winter arrived, the ant had a cosy burrow filled with food. The grasshopper, on the other hand, had nothing and was cold and hungry.

The ant shared some of its food with the grasshopper, but the grasshopper had learned the importance of preparation the hard way.

Moral: Hard work and preparation pay off in the long run, while procrastination leads to difficulties.

11. The Helpful Firefly

In a dark forest, there was a little firefly named Finn. Finn had a unique gift – he could light up the night with his glowing tail. One day, he noticed a group of lost animals struggling to find their way in the dark.

Finn decided to help them by lighting up their path. He guided them safely back to their homes. Word of Finn’s kindness quickly spread, and soon, animals from all over the forest would seek his assistance.

Finn realized that his gift was meant to be shared with others to make their lives brighter. He spent his nights helping those in need, bringing warmth and comfort to the forest.

Moral: Sharing your unique talents and helping others can brighten not only their lives but also your own.

12. The Lonely Sunflower

In a vast field of wildflowers, there stood a tall and vibrant sunflower named Sam. Sam was so proud of his height that he looked down on the smaller flowers and refused to mingle with them.

As time passed, Sam grew lonely, and his surroundings became dull. The other flowers thrived in the community and enjoyed each other’s company, sharing the beauty of the field.

One day, a little girl visited the field and picked a sunflower to take home. She chose a small, humble flower rather than the tall, proud Sam. Sam realized that it was his arrogance that kept him from being chosen.

Moral: True beauty is not in how tall or big you are but in how you treat others and the community you build.

13. The Brave Little Turtle

In a serene pond, there lived a timid turtle named Timmy. He was always afraid of trying new things and facing challenges. Timmy’s friends often played games and explored the pond, but he hesitated.

One day, the pond experienced a severe drought, and the water level dropped dangerously low. Timmy realized he needed to be brave and find a way to save the pond and his friends.

He set out on a journey, confronting his fears along the way. Timmy met other animals, and together, they dug channels to bring water back to the pond. Timmy had learned that being brave was not about being fearless but about facing your fears when it mattered.

Moral: True bravery is not the absence of fear but the ability to overcome it when needed.

14. The Clever Monkey and the Crocodile

In a lush jungle, a clever monkey named Max and a crocodile named Clyde were best friends. They shared many happy moments together. But one day, Clyde’s wife, Clara, craved a monkey’s heart as a special treat.

Clyde didn’t want to harm his friend, Max, but he was afraid to tell his wife. So he invited Max to visit his home on the other side of the river. Max, being clever, suspected something was amiss and devised a plan.

Max told Clyde he left his heart on the tree. When they reached the middle of the river, Max pointed to the tree and said, “My heart is there, on that branch.” Clyde, wanting to please Clara, swam back to the tree, and Max escaped.

Max learned that cleverness could save him from even the trickiest situations, and Clyde realized the importance of being honest with his loved ones.

Moral: Cleverness, when used wisely, can help you out of challenging situations, but honesty is essential in any friendship.

15. The Two Builders

In a busy town, there were two builders, Rick and Chris. Rick always took shortcuts and used cheap materials to build his houses quickly. Chris, on the other hand, put in time and effort to create sturdy, high-quality homes.

People were initially drawn to Rick’s houses because they were cheaper and built faster. However, over time, the houses began to crumble and needed constant repairs. Chris’s houses, though more expensive, stood strong and lasted for generations.

Chris’s reputation grew, and people realized that quality was more important than speed or cost. Chris taught them that taking the time to do things right was always worth it in the end.

Moral: Quality and craftsmanship should always take precedence over shortcuts and quick fixes.

16. The Grateful Sparrow

Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a kind sparrow named Sally. Sally loved to share her food with other birds and animals in the village. She would pick grains from the fields and drop them near her nest for her friends.

One day, a fierce storm hit the village, and the rain washed away all the grains in the fields. The other birds and animals couldn’t find food, and they were hungry.

Sally decided to help her friends. She flew far and wide, searching for any leftover grains or seeds. She found some and shared them with her friends. They were grateful to Sally for her kindness.

From that day on, the birds and animals in the village always helped each other, remembering how Sally had been there for them in their time of need.

Moral: Helping others in their time of need creates lasting friendships and a sense of togetherness.

17. The Curious Kitten

In a cosy neighbourhood, there was a curious little kitten named Kitty. Kitty loved to explore and discover new things. One sunny day, Kitty noticed a shiny ball of yarn in the corner of the room.

Kitty couldn’t resist the temptation and pounced on the yarn. The more Kitty played, the more tangled the yarn became. No matter how much Kitty tried, the yarn was in a big mess.

Kitty’s owner saw the mess and gently helped untangle the yarn. Then, the owner placed the yarn in a neat basket for Kitty to play with. Kitty learned that curiosity was wonderful, but it was essential to be careful with things that weren’t hers.

Moral: Curiosity is a great trait, but it’s important to handle things with care and respect.

18. The Patient Little Seed

In a vast garden, there was a tiny seed named Sam. Sam was impatient and wanted to grow into a big plant quickly. Sam would push and pull, trying to sprout right away.

But no matter how hard Sam tried, nothing happened. The other seeds around Sam were growing, and it made Sam even more impatient.

One day, Sam noticed a wise old tree in the garden. The tree said, “It takes time to grow. You can’t rush it. Just be patient, and you’ll become a strong plant.”

Sam listened to the tree’s advice and stopped rushing. Over time, Sam grew into a tall and healthy plant. Sam realized that good things come to those who wait.

Moral: Patience is a virtue, and some things take time to grow and develop.

19. The Lost Teddy Bear

In a cheerful neighbourhood, there was a little girl named Lily who had a beloved teddy bear named Teddy. Teddy went everywhere with Lily and was her best friend.

One day, Lily and her family went on a picnic in the park. While they were enjoying their time, Lily left Teddy behind. She didn’t realize it until they returned home.

Lily was heartbroken and cried for her lost friend. Her parents comforted her and promised to help find Teddy. They retraced their steps to the park, and after a thorough search, they found Teddy under a tree.

Lily was overjoyed to have her teddy bear back and learned the importance of taking care of her things. She promised never to leave Teddy behind again.

Moral: Taking care of your belongings is important, and it’s always good to have responsible adults to help when things go wrong.

20. The Grateful Rainbow

In a colourful meadow, there lived a cheerful rainbow named Roy. Roy’s beautiful colours stretched across the sky after the rain, bringing joy to all who saw it.

One day, Roy noticed a group of children playing in the meadow. They laughed and danced under the rainbow’s vibrant colours. Roy was so happy to see their joy and decided to stay longer.

The children, amazed by the extended rainbow, clapped and cheered. Roy realized that making others happy was the most beautiful thing of all.

From that day on, Roy often stayed longer, spreading happiness and making people smile.

Moral: Bringing joy to others is the most beautiful thing you can do.

21. The Helpful Little Bee

In a sunny meadow, there lived a little bee named Benny. Benny loved collecting nectar from flowers and making sweet honey for the hive. Benny was known for being the most helpful bee in the entire colony.

One day, while Benny was collecting nectar, a ladybug named Lucy approached him, asking for help. Lucy was lost and couldn’t find her way back to her family. Benny immediately flew to her rescue, guiding her back to her family.

Lucy was extremely grateful and promised to help Benny whenever he needed it. Benny had learned that being helpful not only made others happy but also earned him wonderful friends.

Moral: Being helpful not only benefits others but also brings you friendship and gratitude.

22. The Joyful Raindrop

Up in the sky, there was a cheerful raindrop named Ricky. Ricky loved to fall from the clouds and bring life to the earth by watering the plants. Ricky had a special ability to make the rainbows appear with vibrant colours after a rain shower.

One day, Ricky noticed a sad little flower named Daisy. Daisy was drooping because she hadn’t received enough rain. Ricky decided to give extra care to Daisy and showered her with gentle rain.

Daisy’s petals perked up, and she started to bloom with bright colours. Ricky’s kindness and care not only made Daisy happy but also brought joy to the entire garden.

Moral: Small acts of kindness can brighten up someone’s day and make the world a more joyful place.

23. The Brave Little Fish

In a clear, sparkling stream, there was a tiny fish named Finn. Finn was always scared and never left his safe hiding spot beneath a rock. He watched the other fish swimming freely in the stream with envy.

One day, a big bird swooped down to catch some fish. Finn’s hiding spot was the only safe place. But when Finn saw his friends in danger, he mustered up the courage to warn them about the bird.

Finn’s bravery saved the other fish from the bird’s clutches. The other fish cheered for Finn and encouraged him to swim freely with them. Finn realized that bravery could overcome fear, and he started exploring the stream with his friends.

Moral: Being brave can lead to great adventures and help you overcome your fears.

24. The Respectful Rabbit

In a peaceful forest, there lived a respectful rabbit named Rosie. Rosie had many friends from different animal families, including squirrels, deer, and birds.

One day, the animals gathered for a big feast to celebrate their friendship. They all contributed to the feast with delicious food. Rosie noticed a young owl named Oliver who was feeling left out.

Rosie approached Oliver and invited him to join the feast. The other animals welcomed Oliver, and they all had a wonderful time together.

Rosie’s respectful and inclusive behaviour not only made Oliver’s day but also strengthened the bond between the animals in the forest.

Moral: Respecting and including others can create stronger friendships and a sense of unity.

25. The Grateful Sun

In a clear blue sky, there was a warm and bright sun named Sunny. Sunny shone every day, providing light and warmth to the world. People and animals loved to bask in Sunny’s rays.

One day, a little girl named Mia was feeling cold and sad. She wished for some sunshine to cheer her up. Sunny heard Mia’s wish and decided to stay a little longer, even though it was getting late.

Mia’s face lit up with joy as she played in the sunshine. Sunny’s kindness brought happiness to Mia and showed her that wishes can come true.

Moral: Acts of kindness can bring happiness to others and make the world a brighter place.

26. The Wise Owl’s Gift

In a peaceful forest, there lived a wise old owl named Oliver. Oliver was known for his wisdom and knowledge, and animals from all around the forest came to seek his advice.

One day, a curious young squirrel named Squeaky approached Oliver. Squeaky admired Oliver’s wisdom and asked him how he had become so wise. Oliver smiled and told Squeaky that his wisdom had come from a special gift – the gift of listening.

Oliver explained that he had spent many years not just speaking but also listening carefully to the stories and experiences of other animals in the forest. He had learned valuable lessons and gained insights by paying attention to others.

Squeaky was inspired by Oliver’s wisdom and decided to follow in his footsteps, learning that sometimes the greatest knowledge comes from being a good listener.

Moral: Listening is a valuable skill that can lead to wisdom and understanding.

27. The Painted Rocks

In a quaint village, there lived a little girl named Emily. Emily loved to paint and would often create colourful paintings on rocks she found by the river. She would then place the painted rocks along the village path for others to see.

One day, a man passing through the village noticed Emily’s painted rocks and was amazed by their beauty. He asked Emily if he could buy them to sell in a far-off city where people would appreciate her talent.

Emily agreed, and her painted rocks soon became famous and sold for a high price. But as she earned money, Emily noticed that her village became dull without her colourful rocks.

She decided to return and continued to paint her rocks, sharing them with the villagers. The joy and smiles they brought to her community were worth more to her than any riches from the city.

Moral: The true value of your talents lies in the joy they bring to your community and the people you love.

28. The Lost Balloon

At a grand carnival, there was a little girl named Lily who clutched a red balloon tightly. She loved her balloon and couldn’t bear to let it go, even when she saw another child looking sad without one.

The wind grew stronger as the day went on, and Lily’s grip on her balloon slipped. She watched in dismay as her beloved balloon soared into the sky and out of her reach.

Seeing the sad child from earlier, Lily decided to share her remaining balloon. The other child’s face lit up with joy. Lily learned that sometimes, sharing and making others happy is even better than holding on to something for yourself.

Moral: Sharing can bring happiness to others and warm your heart.

29. The Generous Baker

In a small town, there was a bakery owned by a kind baker named Mr. Thompson. Mr. Thompson was known for his delicious bread and pastries, but he was even more renowned for his generosity.

Every day, he would set out a tray of fresh, warm bread outside the bakery with a sign that read, “Take what you need, pay what you can.” People who were hungry but couldn’t afford the bread could still enjoy a warm meal.

Mr. Thompson’s act of kindness inspired the whole town, and others started to follow his example, helping those in need.

Moral: Acts of generosity can inspire kindness in others and create a compassionate community.

30. The Lost Treasure Map

In a coastal village, there lived a curious boy named Timmy. One day, while exploring the beach, he found an old, crumpled map. It looked like a treasure map, and he was thrilled at the thought of finding hidden riches.

Timmy followed the map’s clues and markers diligently, digging holes in the sand along the way. He didn’t find any treasure, but he did meet a friendly old sailor named Captain Jack.

Captain Jack explained that the map wasn’t leading to gold but to a hidden message. It was a reminder that the real treasure in life is the people we meet and the adventures we have.

Timmy realized that the treasure was the lessons he had learned and the friendships he had made during his journey.

Moral: The real treasures in life are the experiences, lessons, and friendships we gather along the way.

FAQs on Moral Stories in English

What is a short moral story.

A short moral story is a little storyline that gives a lesson that teaches a valuable life principle.

Which is the best moral story?

“Ant and Grasshopper” is widely regarded as one of the best moral story classics and lasting stories, with a powerful moral lesson about the value of hard work, responsibility, and planning. It’s a well-known narrative that teaches the importance of hard work and saving for the future, making it a popular option for many.

How to write a good story

01-Engaging Beginning: Start with a captivating opening. 02-Well-Developed Characters: Create relatable and interesting characters. 03-Strong Plot Structure: Follow a clear plot structure. 04-Theme and Moral: Convey a meaningful theme or moral.

How to write a love story?

01-Develop believable characters. 02-Create tension and conflict. 03-Show love through actions and emotions. 04-Connect with readers’ emotions.

What is moral of the story

The moral of the story is its essential lesson or message, which is typically provided through the characters’ experiences. It provides direction or knowledge about life, beliefs, and conduct. In brief, it’s the story’s key point or lesson.

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Moral Stories In English

Welcome to Moral Stories in English, where we bring you captivating and meaningful stories for both kids and adults. Our collection includes a wide range of moral tales, including kindness stories, inspirational and motivational anecdotes, as well as heartwarming friendship tales.

Friendship Moral Stories

Experience the bonds of friendship like never before with our captivating range of friendship stories. These tales highlight the beauty of true friendship, teaching important lessons about loyalty, trust, and the joy of companionship. Let your heart be warmed by stories that celebrate the meaningful connections we form in life.

The Tortoise and The Hare

Once upon a time, two animals lived in a big green forest: a fast hare and a slow tortoise. They’re great friends, but they couldn’t

The Lion and the Mouse

Once upon a time, in a big, green jungle, there was a strong lion. He was the king of all the animals, and everyone in

The Three Billy Goats Gruff

Once upon a time, in a lush green valley, there lived three billy goats. They were not very big, but they were very brave. The

The Four Friends

Once upon a time, in a big green forest, there lived four good friends: a deer, a crow, a turtle, and a rat. They were

Kindness Moral Stories

Discover the magic of kindness through our heartwarming collection of stories that emphasize the value of compassion, empathy, and understanding. Delve into tales that showcase acts of kindness and teach valuable lessons about the power of spreading love and positivity.

The Ugly Duckling

Once upon a time, on a peaceful farm, there was a little duckling. This duckling was different from the other ducklings. It was not as

The Ant and the Grasshopper

Once upon a time, in a sunny meadow, there lived an ant and a grasshopper. They were friends, but they were very different. The ant

The Helping Hand

Once upon a time in a small village, there lived a boy named Tim. Tim was known for being very kind and helpful. He loved

The Golden Egg

Once upon a time, in a quiet little village, there lived a farmer named Jack. Jack was known for being very greedy. He had a

Motivational and Inspirational Moral Stories

Need a boost of inspiration and motivation? Our diverse selection of inspirational and motivational stories is here to uplift your spirits, ignite your passion, and empower you to overcome life’s obstacles. Allow these stories to ignite the fire within you and guide you towards success.

The Little Red Hen

Once upon a time, in a cozy little farm, there lived a kind and hardworking little red hen. The little red hen had a small

The Elephant Rope

Once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a baby elephant named Ellie. 

The Farmer and the Well

Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a kind farmer. He had a big farm with lots of animals and plants. The

The Three Little Pigs

Once upon a time, there were three little pigs. They were brothers, but they were very different. The first pig was lazy and didn’t like

Start Your Moral Story Journey Today!

Immerse yourself in our remarkable collection of moral stories and unlock a world of inspiration, wisdom, and entertainment. Whether you’re a kid or an adult, Moral Stories in English promises an enriching reading experience that will leave you with a renewed sense of purpose and a greater understanding of life’s values.

At Moral Stories in English, we believe that storytelling holds immense power to inspire, educate, and instill valuable life lessons. Our team of talented writers and storytellers is passionate about weaving intriguing narratives that entertain and leave a lasting impact on readers of all ages.

Benefits of Moral Stories

Cultivating empathy and compassion.

Through relatable characters and thought-provoking narratives, moral stories open doors for readers to experience different perspectives and emotions. By connecting with the trials and triumphs of characters, individuals develop empathy, fostering a profound understanding of others’ feelings and situations. As a result, compassion blossoms, allowing individuals to engage with the world with kindness and understanding.

Enhancing Decision-Making Skills

Moral stories often present characters faced with difficult choices or moral dilemmas. By engaging with these narratives, readers are exposed to the complexities of decision-making. They learn to discern between right and wrong, understand consequences, and internalize the importance of ethical considerations. This helps individuals build a strong moral compass, guiding them through challenging moments and empowering them to make principled choices.

Building Resilience and Problem-Solving Abilities

In many moral stories, characters encounter obstacles and setbacks, providing readers with opportunities to witness resilience in action. Individuals who engage with these tales learn the value of perseverance, adaptability, and creative problem-solving. They internalize the belief that challenges can be surmounted, instilling a growth mindset that fuels personal and professional success.

Teaching Accountability and Responsibility

Moral stories often highlight the ripple effect of actions, emphasizing accountability and responsibility. Through captivating tales where the consequences of characters’ choices are unveiled, readers are encouraged to reflect on their own behavior. These stories pave the way for acknowledging personal responsibility and cultivating a sense of accountability towards oneself and others.

Moral Stories In English a dedicated storytelling company committed to crafting engaging and meaningful stories for both kids and adults. Our mission is to inspire, educate, and entertain through the art of storytelling.

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Moral Stories – Moral Stories for Kids in English

In this post, we have the 10 best moral stories for kids in English. We also explain why these moral stories are suitable for moral education. Let’s start by explaining what a moral story is. It’s simple: a story that teaches a lesson or conveys a meaningful message to the reader.

Moral stories that teach morals are a great way to teach children valuable life lessons. This helps them respond to all kinds of life situations. E.g., Being kind and handling disappointment.

Research has shown that children learn moral reasoning from what is told to them. As they grow, they will learn to decide what is right and wrong. Reading moral stories or narrating them can help your child become a better person and help with their language development!

These moral stories can be very brief and straightforward. Some stories are so simple they could be found in children’s books. Yet, the message is still powerful.

Table of Contents

These are the 10 Best Short Moral Stories

1) 100 percent love .

A boy and a girl were playing together. The boy had a collection of marbles. The girl has some sweets with her. The boy told the girl that he would give her all his marbles in exchange for the sweets with her. The girl agreed.

The boy kept the most beautiful and the biggest marbles with him and gave her the remaining marbles. The girl gave him all her sweets as she promised. That night the girl slept peacefully. But the boy could not sleep as he kept wondering if the girl has hidden some sweets from him the way he had hidden the best marbles from her.

Moral of the Story :

If you do not give 100 percent in a relationship, you will always kept doubting if the other person has given her / his hundred percent. This is applicable for any relationship like love, employee – employer, friendship, family, countries, etc.

2) The Potato, The Egg, And The Coffee Beans

A boy named John was upset. His father found him crying.

When his father asked John why he was crying, he said that he had a lot of problems in his life.

His father simply smiled and asked him to get a potato, an egg, and some coffee beans. He placed them in three bowls.

He then asked John to feel their texture and then fill each bowl with water.

John did as he had been told. His father then boiled all three bowls.

Once the bowls had cooled down, John’s father asked him to feel the texture of the different food items again.

John noticed that the potato had become soft and its skin was peeling off easily; the egg had become harder and tougher; the coffee beans had completely changed and filled the bowl of water with aroma and flavor.

Moral of the story:

Life will always have problems and pressures, like the boiling water in the story. It’s how you respond and react to these problems that counts the most!

3) Two Frogs With The Same Problem

Once, a group of frogs was roaming around the forest in search of water. Suddenly, two frogs in the group accidentally fell into a deep pit.

The other frogs worried about their friends in the pit.

Seeing how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that there was no way they could escape the deep pit and that there was no point in trying.

They continued to constantly discourage them as the two frogs tried to jump out of the pit. But keep falling back.

Soon, one of the two frogs started to believe the other frogs — that they’ll never be able to escape the pit and eventually died after giving up.

The other frog keeps trying and eventually jumps so high that he escapes the pit. The other frogs were shocked at this and wondered how he did it.

The difference was that the second frog was deaf and couldn’t hear the discouragement of the group. He simply thought they were cheering him on!

People’s opinion of you will affect you, only if you believe it to be so. It’s better to believe in yourself.

4) The Elephant Circus

Once upon a time in a circus, five elephants that performed circus tricks. They were kept tied up with weak rope that they could’ve easily escaped, but did not.

One day, a man visiting the circus asked the ringmaster: “Why haven’t these elephants broken the rope and run away?”

The ringmaster replied: “From when they were young, the elephants were made to believe that they were not strong enough to break the ropes and escape.”

It was because of this belief that they did not even try to break the ropes now.

Don’t give in to the limitations of society. Believe that you can achieve everything you want to!

5) The Boy Who Cried, Wolf

There was a young boy whose father, a farmer, had asked him to take their herd of sheep grazing every day. One day, the boy was extremely bored as he watched over the sheep and so he cried: “Wolf! Wolf!”

On hearing his cries, the villagers rushed to help him chase the wolf away and safe the sheep.

When they saw the grinning boy and realized he had cried wolf for his amusement, they scolded him and told him to not cry wolf!

The next day, the boy cried out that the wolf was there. The villagers came, scolded him again, and left.

Later that same day, a wolf came and terrorized the sheep.

The boy cried, “Wolf! Wolf! Please help me.”

But, the villagers assumed that he was pulling a silly prank again and did not come to his rescue. The sheep ran away and the boy cried.

Don’t lie or engage in foolish pranks, for no one will believe a liar even when he is telling the truth!

6) Buddha and The Angry Man

Do You Still Get Angry? Then you should read this and decide.

One day Buddha was walking through a village. A very angry and rude young man came up and began insulting him, “You have no right teaching, others,’ he shouted. “You are as stupid as everyone else. You are nothing but a fake.”

Buddha was not upset by these insults. Instead he asked the young man “Tell me, if you buy a gift for someone and that person does not take it to whom does the gift belong?”

The man was surprised to be asked such a strange question and answered, “It would belong to me. Because I bought the gift.”

The Buddha smiled and said, “That is correct. And it is exactly the same with your anger. If you become angry with me and I do not get insulted, then the anger falls back on you. You are then the only one who becomes unhappy, not me. All you have done is hurt yourself. If you want to stop hurting yourself, you must get rid of your anger and become loving instead. When you hate others, you yourself become unhappy. But when you love others, everyone is happy.”

“Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” – Buddha quote

7) The Golden Touch Of Midas

A long time ago, there lived a king in Greece named Midas.

He was extremely wealthy and had all the gold he could ever need. He also had a daughter whom he loved very much.

One day, Midas saw a Satyr (an angel) who was stuck and was in trouble. Midas helped the Satyr and asked for his wish to be granted in return.

The Satyr agreed and Midas wished for everything he touched to be turned to gold. His wish was granted.

Extremely excited, Midas went home to his wife and daughter touching pebbles, rocks, and plants on the way, which turned into gold.

As his daughter hugged him, she turned into a golden statue.

Having learnt his lesson, Midas begged the Satyr to reverse the spell who granted that everything would go back to their original state.

Stay content and grateful with what you have. Greed will not get you anywhere.

8) Do not Give Up

One day I decided to quit my job and to end my life. There seemed to be no reason for me to live any longer.

I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality, everything… I wanted to quit my life.

I went to the deep woods to have one last talk with God.

“God,” I asked,

“Can you give me one good reason not to quit?”.

His answer surprised me…

“Look around,” He said. “Do you see the Fern and the bamboo?

“Yes”, I replied.

“When I planted the Fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.

I gave them light. I gave them water. The Fern quickly grew from the earth.

Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year, the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.

And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.

“In year three, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit.” He said.

“Then, in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the Fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant…But just 6 months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.”

He asked me. “Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots”?

“I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.”

“Don’t compare yourself to others.” He said.” The bamboo had a different Purpose than the Fern.

Yet, they both make the forest beautiful. “Your time will come,” God said to me.

“You will rise high.”

“How high should I rise?” I asked.

“How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return.

“As high as it can?” I questioned. “Yes.” He said, “Give Me glory by rising as high as you can.”

I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you…… Never, Never, Never Give up

9) Taking Responsibility

Two families lived nearby. One family was constantly fighting, while the other one lived quietly and friendly. One day, feeling jealous about how nicely the neighboring family got along, the wife told her husband. Go to the neighbors and look to see what they are doing for their well-being.

The husband went, hid, and began watching. He saw a woman who was cleaning the floor. Suddenly something distracted her, and she ran to the kitchen. At that time, her husband rushed into the room. Not noticing the bucket of water, he kicked it and spilled water all over the floor.

His wife came back from the kitchen and said to him. I’m sorry, honey! It’s my fault. I didn’t move the bucket out of the way.

The husband replied…No, I’m sorry, honey! It’s my fault, because I did not notice it.

The man returned home, and his wife asked him if he found out what their secret is.

I think the difference is that we always seek to be right, while they seek to take responsibility for their part.

Having peaceful relationships mean taking personal responsibility for our own part.

Take responsibility for everything in our lives: thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

10) The Meaning of True Wealth

There was a girl whose family was very wealthy. One day her father took her on a trip to the country where he aimed to show his daughter how poor people live. So they arrived at a farm of a very poor family. They spent several days there. On their return, the father asked his daughter, if she liked the trip.

Oh, it was great, dad – the girl replied.

Did you notice how poor people live? – the father asked.

Yeah, I did. – said the girl.

The father asked his daughter to tell in more detail about her impressions from their trip.

Well…we have only one dog, and they have four of them. In our garden, there is a pool, while they have a river that has no end. We’ve got expensive lanterns, but they have stars above their heads at night. We have the patio, and they have the whole horizon….the daughter replied in delight.

She further added…. We have only a small piece of land, while they have endless fields. We buy food, but they grow it. We have a high fence for protecting our property, and they don’t need it, as their friends protect them.

The father was stunned. He could not say a word.

Then the girl added…Thank you, Dad, for letting me see how poor we are.

This story shows that true wealth, as well as happiness, is not measured by material things. Instead, love, friendship, and freedom are far more valuable.

These moral stories are short and interesting, with morals we learned growing up. We hope that you and your child enjoy them!

Leave a comment below to share your favorite moral stories with your kids.

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Great stories. It’s so meaningful.

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30+ Best short stories in English with moral (Valuable lessons for kids)

Looking for short stories in English with moral ? Check out this list of must-read short stories for children with unique moral lessons.

These very short stories with morals in English language teach children about morality and ethics. They also help them develop their critical thinking skills .

These are short learning stories that you can read at bedtime. You will not be disappointed by these classic short moral stories in English and they work like a charm for kids of any age .

✅>>>>Also, if you are tired of bedtime story struggles and want to instill moral values effortlessly, then get this bestselling stories . I personally have found it useful. <<<<

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• The Gita: For Children + The Vedas and Upanishads for Children (Set of 2 books)

Also Read – 10 Lines short stories with Morals

In this page very short stories in English with morals are available both as pictures and in pdf. Just download and read.

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Short story for teenager with moral lesson

A collection of very short moral stories in english for students – see what is inside video.

Click here to Download Moral stories for kids PDF (Absolutely FREE for a limited time)

Click on below pic to download and read these short stories with morals for kids and learn from them

I can never imagine my childhood without stories. It was fascinating. But kids today are lost in a digital world. While we grew up listening to stories or reading good stories books, our kids are hooked on their screens watching cartoons or playing games on their mobiles.

✅ Here is our latest article on>>> How To Inculcate Moral Values in Children. <<<

As if it weren’t enough, the pandemic hit hard their childhood and made them homebound. Even schools are teaching online. Reading books is fast becoming an alien concept to kids. 

But all hope is not lost. Kids have an inherent liking for fantasy and wonderland. They respond well to stories told to them. We as parents should read them stories from a very tender age- a habit they will carry forward into their lives ahead.

Also Read – 20+ Easy & Enchanting Sanskrit Slokas For Kids: Unlock the Wisdom of Ancient India

Classic Moral stories in English

Classic moral stories in English are a great way to teach children about important life lessons. There are many stories moral in English that have been passed down through the generations, and they continue to be popular today. stories morals in English can teach children about right and wrong, responsibility, honesty, and other important life lessons. In addition, short moral stories in English are often entertaining and can help children to develop a love for reading.

Check – 13+ Inspiring Indian Mythological Stories for Kids with Morals

There are many must read moral stories in English for kids to choose from, so finding the right one for your child can be a challenge. However, there are some tips that can help you choose the best short stories with moral lessons for kids in English for your child.

First, consider your child’s age and interests. moral stories for kids that are too difficult or too simple will likely not hold your child’s attention. Second, look for stories that teach important life lessons. Third, choose stories that are entertaining and will help your child to develop a love for reading.

Also Read – How To Teach Moral Values To Kids

5 lines story with moral for nursery class

1. Once upon a time, there was a little girl who was very naughty.

2. She always made trouble for others and never listened to her elders.

3. One day, she ran away from home and got lost in the forest.

4. A kind old lady found her and helped her find her way back home.

5. The little girl learned her lesson and was never naughty again.

Moral of the story: It is always better to be good and obey your elders. Otherwise, you may end up in big trouble.

4 line stories in English ( moral value story in English )

1. Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess who lived in a castle with her loving parents.

2.One day, a wicked witch cast a spell on the princess, turning her into a frog.

3.The only way to break the spell was for a prince to kiss her.

4.Fortunately, a brave prince came along and broke the spell, and they lived happily ever after.

Another story about an ugly duckling

1.Once upon a time, there was an ugly duckling who was rejected by everyone.

2.But one day, he met a kindhearted woman who accepted him for who he was.

3.And she helped him to see that he was really a beautiful swan.

4.They lived happily ever after.

3 line stories in English

Here is another very short story about a poor boy

1.Once upon a time, there was a poor boy who had to work hard every day just to survive.

2.But one day, he met a wealthy man who took him under his wing and taught him the ways of business.

3.The boy became a successful businessman himself, and he never forgot the man who had helped him.

1.Once upon a time, there was a girl who dreamed of becoming a singer.

2.But her parents told her that it was impossible, and she should just be content with her life.

3.However, the girl never gave up on her dream, and she eventually became a famous singer.

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• English story book

10 lines short stories with moral

1. Aesop’s fables are a great example of 10 lines short stories with moral for kids. They teach valuable lessons about life and how to live it in a simple, yet effective way.

2. Another 10 lines short story with moral for kids is “The Ant and the Grasshopper”. This story teaches kids the importance of hard work and how it pays off in the end.

3. “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” is yet another 10 lines short story with moral for kids that teaches an important lesson.

The Illustrated Stories of Akbar and Birbal: Classic Tales From India

The Ant and the Grasshopper story in English in 10 lines ( best English story with moral )

The Ant worked hard all summer long, gathering food for the winter. The Grasshopper laughed and played, doing nothing to prepare for the cold months ahead.

When winter came, the Grasshopper had nothing to eat while the Ant was well-prepared with a cozy home and plenty of food. The Grasshopper begged the Ant for help, but the Ant refused, saying, “You should have worked hard like me when there was food to be had.”

The Grasshopper eventually starved to death, learning too late the importance of hard work and preparation.

Short puppet story with moral lesson

The three little pigs went out into the world to seek their fortunes. The first little pig built himself a straw house, and the second little pig built himself a stick house. But the third little pig built himself a brick house, and it was this house that withstood the big bad wolf’s huffing and puffing.

The moral of this story is that it pays to be prepared. The third little pig had taken the time to build a strong house, and as a result, he was able to withstand the wolf’s attacks. If the other pigs had been as prepared as the third little pig, they would have been able to avoid becoming the wolf’s dinner.

What is puppet story?

A puppet story is a short story that uses puppets as the main characters. Puppet stories are often used to teach children moral lessons or to entertain them. Many popular children’s stories, such as The Three Little Pigs and Pinocchio, began as puppet stories.

Also Read – 10+ Best Moral Stories for Puppet Show

The Boy Who Cried Wolf story in English 10 lines ( 10 lines moral stories )

1. There was a boy who lived in a village near a forest.

2. The boy used to tend to the sheep in the village.

3. One day, the boy saw a wolf in the forest and cried out, “Wolf! Wolf!”

4. The villagers came running, but when they got there, they saw that there was no wolf.

5. The boy laughed and the villagers went back to their homes.

6. The next day, the boy saw the wolf again and cried out, “Wolf! Wolf!”

7. The villagers came running, but when they got there, they saw that there was no wolf.

8. The boy laughed and the villagers went back to their homes.

9. The third day, the boy saw the wolf again and cried out, “Wolf! Wolf!”

10. This time, when the villagers came, they saw that there was a wolf. The boy had lied so many times that they didn’t believe him and the wolf ate the boy.

The moral of the story is that you should never lie, because if you do, people won’t believe you even when you’re telling the truth.

Collection of moral stories in English small

If want to get some good books on moral stories for kids online, check out below:

• 108 Moral Stories (Illustrated) for Children
• 199 Moral Stories – Self Teaching Moral Stories for 3 to 6 Year Old Kids
• Panchatantra Moral Stories (Illustrated) (Set of 10 Books) – Story Books for Kids
• Moral Stories from Aesop Fables (Hindi) Set of 20 books for kids

Benefits of Short Moral stories for kids (in English)

• Narrating stories build strong interpersonal bonds and keep them away from the screen too.
• They boost the child’s fantasy and creativity.
• Stories increase their concentration power.
• The child’s vocabulary is enhanced.
• Kids get exposed to a wider world- a real and practical one.
• Kids learn to be patient while listening to stories.
• Stories are a great way to teach them valuable lessons for their lives ahead.

Check out these 30+ (5 to 10 lines) very short stories in English with moral values

As moms navigating the ever-evolving landscape of parenting, we’re always on the lookout for the perfect stories that strike the balance between entertainment and valuable life lessons. The challenge of finding the best short stories in English with morals can be overwhelming, especially when we desire narratives that leave a lasting impact on our children’s character. Well, fellow moms, I’m here to ease that journey for you.

Join me in discovering a curated collection of the Best Short Stories in English with Moral – each tale carefully chosen to not just engage but to impart invaluable lessons that our little ones will carry into the future.

Let’s turn storytelling into a transformative experience for both us and our children. Ready to dive into a world of captivating narratives and meaningful insights?

Let the storytelling adventure commence!

• The Bird-catcher And The Pigeons – Unity is strength pigeon story with pictures (a small story in English with moral)

The Eagle And The Woodcutter

The foolish lion and the clever rabbit short story pdf, the loyal mongoose, the mice that ate iron, the lion and the mouse, fox and crane story in english pdf, the fox and the grapes short story with moral, the axe and the woodcutter, the greedy lion, the brahmin and the cheats, the greedy hunter and the rabbit, the ant and the elephant, the monkey and the crocodile, short story monkey and cap seller story with pictures pdf, the hare and the tortoise, the daydreamer milkman, the cats and the monkey, greedy dog story in english pdf, the golden geese, a farmer and his four sons, bellingâ  the cat, the boy who cried wolf, the fox and the crow, the pigeon and the ant, three fishes, the talkative tortoise, akbar and birbal, midas and his golden touch, the farmer and the well story in english pdf, a short moral story in english with moral for kids, time is valuable story, liked this list of short english moral stories for kids, the bird-catcher and the pigeons – u nity is strength pigeon story with pictures ( a small story in english with moral ).

Once a flock of pigeons was caught in a bird catcher’s net. They tried to free themselves but couldn’t. So, they all panicked. There was an old pigeon. He calmed them down and said,” We should not panic if we want to escape from here.

The birds calmed down and listened to him. The old pigeon asked them to follow his instructions and said,” We will fly together at the count of three and take this net with us. Just remember to fly together.”

The bird-catcher was coming to take the birds away when the unexpected happened. The birds flapped their wings together and flew away with the net! The bird-catcher could not do anything. He was shocked to see such wisdom and unity in birds.

Moral : You can achieve anything with unity. We should be calm in difficult situations to overcome them.

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Check out this awesome bookset Moral Story Books for Kids (Pack of 10 Books) – This set has books with all time favourite stories for kids.

There lived a kind woodcutter in a village. He once freed an eagle from a trap. One day he went to the hills to cut trees for wood. The hill was steep, so the woodcutter could not come down and needed help.

Upset, he sat down on the rock and waited for some help. Suddenly, an eagle flew down close to him and took away his hat. The woodcutter was angry and he started chasing the bird. After some time, he realized he has found the way down the hill.

It then occurred to him that the bird was the same eagle he had once rescued. He now understood why the eagle flew away with his hat. He thanked the eagle for its brilliant idea and said,”  You took away my hat so that I can follow you and reach here. You are my true friend. Thank you!”

Moral: Kindness is always rewarded. We should always help others selflessly.

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Once, there lived a lion in a jungle. He was very cruel and greedy. He used to hunt and kill other animals even when wasn’t hungry. All the animals were afraid of him.

One day, they gathered together and went to the lion. They said,” Oh king of the jungle, if you hunt at this rate, we all will be killed soon, and you will soon run out of food. Every day, we will send you one animal for food. This way you will have easy food and we will get a chance to survive.

The lion agreed and from that day on he would get an animal as his meal at his home. This continued for several days.

One day, it was the turn of a young hare. He was clever and did not want to be eaten away by the cruel lion. He thought of a plan to get rid of the lion altogether.

The next day he got up late and walked very slowly toward the lion’s den. He even slept on the way. Finally, he reached the lion after sunset. Seeing the hare, the lion roared fiercely as he was very hungry.

The small rabbit was a little food for him. But the rabbit did not get scared. Instead, he told the lion -” Oh mighty king! I was stopped by another lion. He said that he was the new king of the jungle. He even took the other two hares that the animals had sent with me. He wanted to eat me too, but  somehow I escaped and came to you.”

Hearing this the hungry lion got angrier and told the hare to take him to this new lion so that he could kill him. The hare readily agreed and led him to a well and said, “ See, he is here, growling and staring at me.”

The lion looked into the well. He saw his own reflection growling back. Furious, he jumped into the well and died. The clever hare rejoiced and ran away to share this news with the other animals.

Moral: We should keep calm in times of crisis. We should not believe whatever we hear.

Also Read – How To Help Your Child Cope With Anger And Calm Down

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Once there lived a farmer with his wife. They had an infant baby. One day, the farmer found an injured mongoose while returning home from the fields.

He told his wife that he would nurse the mongoose to health and keep it as a pet. The wife didn’t like the idea but agreed reluctantly.  The mongoose recovered soon and played around in the house. The wife kept it away from her infant son.

One day, the wife left the sleeping baby with her husband and went out to fetch some groceries. She told him to keep the mongoose away from the child. Meanwhile, the farmer got an urgent call from the field and he left the son with the mongoose. He trusted the mongoose and was sure that his child was safe with him.

After some time, the farmer’s wife returned with a big grocery basket.  She saw the mongoose standing outside the gate with blood on his mouth and paw. Without a second thought, she yelled and smashed the poor animal with the basket full of groceries. She ran inside crying and wailing but was shocked to see her son sleeping peacefully near a dead snake.

Now, the reality dawned upon her. She understood that a snake must have come to bite her son, but the mongoose killed the snake to save the baby. The bloodstain was that of the snake’s. She rushed out to check on the mongoose. The poor loyal mongoose was dead.

Moral: We should not jump to conclusions. We should not take decisions in a hurry.

Mohan and Sohan were good friends and lived in a city. One day, Mohan decided to visit his family in the village and left a heavy iron chest with Sohan. He said,” Sohan, I would return in a couple of months. Till then take care of my belongings.”

The next day, Mohan went away to his village. Three months later, he returned to the city and went straight to meet Sohan. Sohan welcomed him and served him food. While leaving he told Sohan that he wants to take his iron chest with him. Sohan was greedy, he didn’t want to return the chest to Mohan. The iron box would fetch him good money if he were to sell it in the market.

He said to Mohan that his house has many mice, and they ate away his iron chest and said,” I am sorry my friend.” Mohan immediately understood the dishonest intentions of Sohan. He asked his friend not to be sorry as it was not his fault. And went away. Before leaving he asked Soham to send his son to his house so that he could give him the gifts he had bought. Soham sent his son with Mohan.

Soham thought Mohan had fallen for his lie and was very happy. Mohan locked the child in a room. When the child didn’t return by the evening, the father went to Mohan to enquire about his son.

Mohan casually said that an eagle flew away with his son. He tried to save him but could not. Soham was furious as he knew that it was a lie. Soon both the friends began to quarrel and took the matter to the court. 

The judge asked Mohan to return the child as he was lying. To this, he replied,” If mice can eat iron, then an eagle can carry away a child too.” The judge now asked for the entire matter to be revealed. Mohan told the entire story. Sohan understood he had been caught. He accepted his mistakes and returned the iron chest to Mohan and got back his son.

Moral : Greed has its downfall.

A lion was once sleeping in his den when a mouse started running up and down his body just for fun. This woke up the lion , and he was quite angry.

He was about to eat the mouse when the mouse pleaded with the lion to set him free. “I promise you, I will be of great help to you someday if you save me.” The lion laughed at the mouse’s confidence and let him go.

One day, a few hunters came into the forest and trapped the lion in a net. They tied him up against a tree. The lion started to roar and struggled to free himself.

Soon, the mouse walked past and noticed the lion in trouble. He ran and called his friends for help. Together they gnawed on the ropes to set the lion free. They ran off into the jungle and remain friends thereafter.

Moral : A small act of kindness can go a long way.

Also Read – How to teach kindness to kids

One day, a wicked fox invited a crane for dinner. The crane was very happy with the invitation. She reached the fox’s home on time and knocked at the door with her long beak.  She has been excited the whole day and was extremely hungry.

The fox soon served some soup in shallow bowls for both of them. The crane was surprised and angry too, as she couldn’t have soup at all. Her long beak couldn’t help her drink from the bowl.

But, the fox licked up his soup quickly. Feeling cheated and humiliated, she decided to teach the fox a lesson soon. 

She didn’t show her anger and behaved politely with the fox. Before leaving she invited him for dinner the next day. She made rice porridge for the dinner and served it in two tall narrow vases.

She happily drank her porridge from the vase. The fox tried hard but couldn’t, as the neck of the vessel was narrow.  The fox understood everything. He had learned his lesson and had to go home hungry.

Moral : A selfish act backfires sooner or later.

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Once a fox wandered across the jungle in order to get some food. It was very hot, and the fox was very hungry. He looked everywhere, but couldn’t find anything that he could eat.

His stomach was hurting by now, but he continued his search. Soon, he spotted a vineyard that was laden with big juicy grapes. He looked around and saw no one. He thought to himself that the grapes must be really sweet to eat. So he decided to steal some grapes.

He jumped high, but he couldn’t reach the grapes. He tried again and again, but he could not catch a bunch of grapes. He went back and forth to build up speed but still, the grapes were beyond his reach.

The grapes were too high, but he refused to give up. He tried a few more times, and jumped high in the air but couldn’t reach the grapes.

 It was getting dark and the fox was getting angry.  He finally gave up as his legs started to hurt. Walking away, he said, “I’m sure the grapes are sour. I am wasting my time and energy on them.

Moral : We pretend to hate something when we can’t have them.

Once there lived a woodcutter in a village. He was poor but hard-working. He used to go to the forest to cut down trees for wood. He sold them in the market and earned money for some food.

One day as he was cutting a tree, his axe accidentally fell into the river. The river was deep and was flowing fast. It carried away his axe swiftly. The woodcutter sat at the bank of the river and began to cry.

Suddenly, the Goddess of the river arose and asked him what happened. The woodcutter told her the story. The Goddess of the river offered to help him by looking for his axe.

She disappeared into the river and soon came up with a golden axe. The Goddess asked the woodcutter if it was his axe, but the woodcutter said it was not his.

She disappeared again and this time came back with a silver ax. Again, She asked him if it belongs to him, but the woodcutter said that that was not his either.

The Goddess disappeared into the water again and this time came back with an iron axe. The woodcutter jumped with joy and said it was his. The Goddess was impressed with the woodcutter’s honesty and gifted him both the golden and the silver axes.

Moral : Honesty is the best policy.

On a hot summer day, a lion in the forest started feeling hungry. He went hunting for food. Soon he spotted a rabbit roaming around alone. He thought to himself, “Such a small rabbit as this can’t satisfy my hunger.” 

Instead of catching the rabbit, the lion let it go. Just then, a beautiful deer passed by, and the lion decided to hunt it down.

So, he ran behind the deer. Since he was weak because of the hunger, he could not keep up with the deer’s speed. Soon, he was tired and could no longer chase the deer.

He let go of the deer and went backing looking for the rabbit to fill his stomach for some time. But, the rabbit was gone. The lion was sad and remained hungry for a long time.

Moral :Greed is never a good thing. We should be happy with whatever we get.

There lived a simple brahmin in a village. One day, he went to another village to attend a religious ceremony. As a gift, he received a goat. He put the animal on his shoulder and started walking towards home.

On the way, a group of three cheats spotted him with the goat. They wanted to feast on the goat. They knew the brahmin would not give the goat to them easily, so they decided to trick him. They made a plan and started working on it.

They hid behind a tree in some distance and waited for the brahmin to pass by. As soon he passed by, the first cheat approached him and said in a surprised tone,” Why are you carrying a dog on your shoulder?. You are such a pious man.” The brahmin replied angrily that it was a goat, not a dog. The cheat smiled inwardly and apologized.

The Brahmin walked away cursing the cheat. A few minutes later, the second cheat approached the brahmin and enquired,” Why are you carrying a dead animal on your shoulder. You are a holy man, it doesn’t suit you.”

Now, the brahmin was furious. He shouted back angrily and started cursing the man. He said,” Are you blind? Can’t you see that I am carrying a goat, you blind fool!” The rogue pretended innocence and said,” I say whatever I see in front of me.” The brahmin called him an idiot and began to walk very fast towards his home.

As planned, the third cheat now approached the brahmin. He stopped him and asked,” Why are you carrying a donkey on your shoulder?” The brahmin grew impatient and started abusing the cheat. But the trickster continued with his lies and convinced him that he was indeed carrying a donkey and walked away.

Now, the Brahmin started shaking in fear. The three cheats gathered at a distance and watched everything. Their plan was successful. The brahmin was convinced that he was carrying some evil creature on this shoulder. Every person he met on the way saw a different creature on his shoulder. He started to shake in fear. He threw the goat on the road and ran away hurriedly to his home without looking back.

The cheats laughed heartily. They took the goat home and feasted on it. They enjoyed the fact that they could fool the brahmin easily.

Moral : We should not let go of our common sense. We should not believe whatever anyone says.

A hunter once caught a rabbit. The rabbit was very scared. He then calmed down and thought of a plan to save himself. 

He was a clever rabbit. He said to the hunter,” I know of a place which is full of gold. You can have it all for yourself. You can become so rich that you will not need to work for your living.”

Now, the hunter was greedy. He was easily trapped in the rabbit’s plan. He said,” You take me to that place.”The rabbit said,” First you have to free me, and then follow me to reach that place.”Without a second thought, the hunter placed the rabbit on the ground.

Without wasting another second, the rabbit ran away swiftly. The hunter was left wondering and he regretted his decision. But now, it was too late to do anything. He never got to see any gold and even lost the rabbit he had captured.

Moral : Greed leads to loss. We should be patient in every situation.

There once lived an elephant in a jungle. He was very arrogant and short-tempered. He was very proud of his strength and huge body. The other animals in the jungle feared him a lot. He enjoyed doing things that showed off his strength and always troubled other small animals in the jungle.

In that jungle, there also lived a family of ants in a tiny hole. The ant used to despise the elephant for his haughty nature. One day, when the ants were away to collect food, the elephant stopped them and sprayed a trunk full of water on them.

The ants got angry and said,” You should not trouble others for your pleasure.”The elephant shouted angrily and said,” You tiny creatures, keep quiet, or I will crush you to death.”

Now, the ants decided to reach the arrogant animal a lesson for life. They slowly crept under his trunk and spread to his ears and started biting him. The elephant became restless and started crying for help.

None of the animals came forward to rescue him. They were happy to see him getting punished for his acts. He kept apologizing to the ants, but they continued to bite him.

When they were sure that he has learned his lesson, they let him go and said, “This is how others feel when you hurt them.” The ants marched off leaving a wailing elephant there. Then on, the elephant never troubled anyone in the jungle.

Moral : Pride and arrogance never go unpunished.

Once a monkey and a crocodile were friends. The monkey lived on a jamun tree on the bank of the river where the crocodile lived. The monkey used to feed on the jamuns and share them with the crocodile.

One day, the crocodile took some fruits home for his wife. The wife tasted it and loved the fruit. She asked her husband,” Where did you get these from?” The crocodile then told her about his friend, monkey. The wife expressed her desire to eat the monkey’s heart.

The crocodile refused, but she continued to persuade her husband. Finally, he gave in. He was upset as he loved the monkey much and did not want to see him killed. The next day he lied to the monkey that his wife had invited him (the monkey) for dinner. The monkey gladly accepted the invitation. He jumped on the crocodile’s back and reached the middle of the river. 

The monkey noticed that the crocodile was looking lost. The crocodile could no longer hide anything. He said that his wife would eat his heart. He didn’t want to cheat his friend but was left with no other option.

The monkey was shocked, but he calmed himself and said in a friendly tone,” Why did not tell me earlier? I left my heart on the tree. Let’s swim back to the bank to get it .”The foolish crocodile immediately agreed and quickly swam back to the river bank.

The monkey quickly jumped off the crocodile’s back and climbed up to the topmost branch of the tree. He shouted,” You fool, how can someone live without his heart. You don’t deserve to be my friend. Get lost.”The crocodile was sad to lose his good friend forever.

Moral : Foolishness can make you take wrong decisions.

There was a cap seller . He used to make and sell caps to neighboring villages and markets. One day, he packed all his caps in a basket and set afoot on his journey. It was a hot day. He got tired of walking and decided to rest under a big banyan tree. Since he was very tired, he fell asleep. 

After some time, he woke up. He was shocked to see his basket empty. The caps were missing. He started looking everywhere when he suddenly spotted a monkey wearing a cap. 

He looked up to the tree and saw many monkeys wearing his cap.  He now understood everything.When he was sleeping, several monkeys came down the tree and pulled the cap seller’s basket. They picked up the caps and climbed back up the trees. 

The cap seller became very upset. He shouted at the monkeys on the tree. The monkeys yelled back at him. The cap seller was irritated. He picked up few stones from the ground and threw them at the monkeys to scare them. But the monkeys started pelting stones in return too. 

The cap seller was frustrated now. He started crying. The monkeys started crying too. Now, he realized that the monkeys were imitating him.

He thought of an idea and threw his cap on the ground. Seeing this, all the monkeys copied his action and did exactly the same. The cap seller quickly collected his caps in the basket and ran away.

Moral : Wisdom is powerful than strength.

There once lived a hare in a jungle. He was very proud of himself. In the same jungle lived an old tortoise. The arrogant hare found him funny and always made fun of his slow pace in front of other animals.

The tortoise lost his cool one day and challenged the hare for a race. Everybody was surprised, and the hare was laughing loudly. Nevertheless, he accepted the challenge. The race was to take place the next day. The winner had to reach the bank of the river. They started the running race.

The hare ran very fast. But the tortoise walked very slowly. Within no time, the proud hare was halfway through the distance. He thought to himself that the tortoise with his slow pace can never match him. So, he decided to rest under a tree for some time. But, he soon fell asleep.

On the other hand, the tortoise continued to walk towards the finishing point without pausing for a rest. He passed by the sleeping hare. Soon, it was sunset. There was a loud noise of clapping. 

That day the hare had slept longer than usual. When he woke up, he heard the clapping sound at a distance. He ran fast towards the finishing line. He was shocked to see the old tortoise at the finishing line. All the animals were celebrating his victory. The hare had learned his lesson for life. He never mocked anybody thereafter.

Moral :Slow and steady wins the race.

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Once upon a time, there lived a poor milkman. He was extremely lazy. He did not want to do any hard work. He was, always busy daydreaming about getting rich.

One morning he milked his cows and set out to sell the milk in the market. While walking, he began to dream about becoming rich.

He dreamt: “ I will sell the milk in the market. With the money, I would buy a hen. The hen will lay eggs. Some will be sold in the market. Some will hatch and become chicks. These chicks will become cocks and hens, who, in turn, will lay hundreds of eggs. I would soon have his poultry farm

He kept on imagining:”.Again, I will sell all the hens to buy some bull. And finally, sell the bulls to buy a small house. While thinking about all this, he overlooked a stone on the way.

He fell over it and the milk spilled on the ground. All his dreams were broken in a second, and he realized he was daydreaming.

Moral : Work hard to fulfil your dreams.

Two cats once found a piece of bread. They both were very hungry. They were not willing to share the food with each other. They started fighting for the bread. One cat said, “I found it first it’s mine.” Another cat said, “No I found it first, it’s mine” 

A monkey was seeing this from a distance. He wanted to eat the bread too. He thought of a plan to eat it himself. He approached the cats and asked them why they were quarreling. The cats told him everything. He then offered to solve the matter.  He said,” I will divide the bread into two equal halves and give it to you.”

Both the cats agreed to his proposal and gave him the bread. He cunningly divided the bread into two uneven pieces- one was bigger than the other. He then took a big bite from the bigger part. But this made the other part bigger than the other. He continued doing this until he ate the whole of the bread.

The two cats were too late to realize his cleverness. The monkey fled away after eating their bread right in front of them. They now realized that had they shared the bread with each other, they would not have been left hungry.

Moral : If two people fight, the third one takes an undue advantage.

A greedy dog once found a juicy bone lying near a meat shop. He picked it up and held it tightly in his mouth. He looked here and there, and then, ran away to a lonely place. He stopped at a bridge over the river that ran nearby. 

There he saw his reflection in the water. He thought that there was another dog with a bone  in the water. He got greedier and thought of taking away that bone from the other dog. 

He immediately started barking at his reflection in the water. The moment he opened his mouth, the bone in his mouth fell into the river. The greedy dog did not get any bone and even lost the one he had. He realized his mistake and left the place feeling upset.

Moral : Greed causes pain and brings regret.

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Once a fairy gifted a magical goose to a poor farmer. It laid one golden egg every morning. The farmer made money by selling that golden egg in the market. Slowly, he became rich.

Now, the farmer became greedy. He wanted more wealth. He thought to himself,” This goose gives me just one golden egg a day. What if I cut it open and take out all the golden eggs at once? I will be the wealthiest person in the village.”

Without a second thought, the farmer took a knife and killed the goose. He cut open his belly, but could not find any egg there. He started crying when he realized his mistake. He not only lost the goose but also the golden egg it laid every day.

Moral : Greed causes miseries.

Once there lived an old farmer in a village. He had four sons. They were always quarreling with each other. The farmer tried hard to bring unity among them. He would request them to live with love and peace, but they would never listen to his advice. He was always worried about their future.

One day, he fell sick. He thought that it was his chance to bring harmony among his sons. So, he called his sons and asked each of them to bring a few sticks. They brought the sticks to their father.

The farmer asked one of them to tie the sticks in a bundle. He then asked each of them to try and break the sticks.

One by one, all the four sons tried to break the bundle but failed. Then, the farmer untied the bundle. He gave one stick to each of them and asked them to break it. This time they were able to do it easily.

The farmer said, “I just wanted to show you that if you are united nobody can defeat you. But you keep quarreling among yourself, you will be easily broken by anyone.”The sons learned their lesson and lived happily with their father thereafter.

Moral : Unity is strength.

Once there was a big warehouse full of rice bags.  Many rats lived there and ruined the grains. The owner was tired of finding ways to keep the rats away. So, he bought a cat and left it in the warehouse.

The cat would silently play around and chased the rats away. The rats were terrified and decided to have a meeting. They gathered together one evening at a secluded place and started their discussion. They were very confused and couldn’t think of any solution to stop the cat. 

Suddenly one of the rats said, ” We should tie a bell around the cat’s neck. If we tie a bell around the cat’s neck, we can hear the sound of the bell when the cat comes. This way we would be alerted.” 

The rats found the idea interesting. Then a rat asked, “who will tie the bell around the cat’s neck?” Now, all the rats fell silent as no one was willing to take a risk. They understood that it is easier said than done.

Moral :Most things are easier said than done.             

There was a shepherd boy who had to look after a flock of sheep. He was very lazy and always troubling others. One day,  he took his flock to the hills to graze. He felt bored and decided to play a trick on the villagers for some fun.

He shouted, “Help! Wolf! Wolf!” The villagers who were working on the farm heard his cries. They took some tools and rushed out of the village to help the shepherd boy. On reaching the hills, they were surprised to see that there was no wolf.

The boy laughed loudly, “Ha, Ha, Ha! I fooled you all. I was only playing a trick on you.” The villagers were enraged, and they went back.

A few days later, the boy played this trick again. Again he cried, “Help! Help! Wolf! Wolf!”  This time, too, the villagers rushed up the hills to help him. Again, they found that the boy had tricked them. They were very angry with him for being so naughty and reckless. But, the boy laughed at them.

Then one day, a wolf actually came to the hills where the sheep were grazing. The wolf attacked the sheep one by one. The boy cried out for help. He shouted, “Help! Help! Wolf! Help! Somebody!”

The villagers heard his cries, but they thought the boy was tricking them again. They continued to work ignoring his cries. The boy somehow escaped from there, but his sheep were eaten by the wolf. He now learned his lesson for life. He promised himself to never lie again and trouble others.

Moral : No one trusts a person who lies, even if he is telling the truth.

A  crow once found a big piece of cheese. He held the cheese in his beak and flew away to a nearby tree. A fox was passing by when he saw the crow with the big piece of cheese in his mouth. 

He went to the crow and said ” Good morning, dear crow.  You have a lovely piece of cheese with you. Could you please share a bit with me?”. 

The crow refused and looked away. The fox begged a little, but the crow wouldn’t listen. He just sat there, quietly eating his cheese. 

But the fox didn’t give up. He continued persuading the crow. He called the crow handsome and praised his black feathers. He said,” You have a beautiful voice too. Everyone in the forest is praising your voice. Can you sing a sweet song for me?”. 

The fox saw the crow swelling with pride. The foolish crow believed the cunning fox. He suddenly forgot all about the cheese and began to sing. 

As soon as the crow began to sing, the piece of cheese fell down to the ground. The fox immediately picked it up and ran away. The crow was left crying on the tree all by himself. 

Moral:  Beware Of flatterer.

Long ago, a pigeon flew down to drink water from a river. While drinking, she noticed an ant flowing away with the water. She thought of helping the ant. She looked around and plucked some leaves from the tree.  She then flew over the river and dropped it into the water near the struggling ant. 

The ant quickly climbed over the leaf and reached the shore safely. The ant was grateful to the bird and thanked her. The pigeon smiled and said that it was her duty to help someone in need. She then flew away.

 A few days later,  a hunter came to the jungle. He was aiming at a pigeon that sat on a nearby tree. The ant was walking through the forest when she noticed the hunter with a gun.

She immediately recognized the pigeon who had saved her life. She decided to return the favor by helping the bird. She crept into the hunter’s trousers and bit him hard.

The hunter fired the shot but missed his target because of the ant bite. The pigeon heard the gunshot and was alarmed. She flew away.

The ant, too, quickly jumped off the hunter’s leg and fled into the forest. The hunter sat there upset and saw the pigeon flying away.

Moral : We should always help others selflessly.

Once there lived three fishes in a lake. They were very good friends. They loved playing with the other fishes in the lake. One day, some fisherman came near the lake. They saw many fishes there and decided to come back the next day to catch them all.

One of the three fish heard the fishermen talking. She hurried back to her friends and alerted them. She suggested that they should leave the lake immediately and go to some safer place. To this, the second fish agreed, but the third fish refused to go. 

She said, “ It is not wise to run away from here. If we are destined to die, then we will surely die. Nobody can save us. So, I am not going anywhere.

The first fish said her goodbyes to her friends and immediately left with her family to some other lake. The second fish waited for the morning. When she saw the fishermen, she, too, left the lake with her family.

The fishermen spread their nets and captured all the fish from the lake. The third fish was also captured, and they all died.

Moral : We should act immediately when we see a danger approaching.

Long ago, there lived a tortoise and two swans in a  pond. They were very good friends. The tortoise was very talkative. He used to talk to swans for a very long time. All of them were happy.

Once there was a drought and it lasted for a long time. The water in the pond dried up. There was no water to drink even and it was now impossible to live there. So, the swans decided to fly away to some other place.

The tortoise requested the swans to take him along too. But, since he couldn’t fly, they sat down to think and found a way. The swans suggested an idea according to which the tortoise would have to hold a piece of the stick by its mouth and the swans will hold the ends of that stick.

They warned the tortoise to not talk during their journey. The tortoise promised, and the three friends set out to fly. On their way, they crossed several villages. Many villagers saw the tortoise and made fun of the tortoise. 

This enraged the tortoise and he couldn’t control himself. He opened his mouth to speak. As soon as he did so, he fell down and died. The swans were shocked to see their friend die. The tortoise lost his life because of his foolishness.

Moral : We should listen to our friend’s advice.

Emperor Akbar was famous for asking tricky questions to his courtiers. One day, his question left everyone in the courtroom puzzled. Just then, Birbal walked in and asked what the matter was.

The other courtiers repeated the question to him. The question was, “How many crows are there in the city?”

Birbal thought for a moment and smiled. He replied,” There were ten thousand, six hundred and twenty-nine crows in the city.” When asked how he knew the answer, Birbal replied, “Ask your men to count the number of crows. If there are more, then the relatives of the crows must be visiting them from nearby cities. If there are fewer, then the crows from our city must be visiting their relatives who live outside the city.” 

The courtiers applauded the witty answer of Birbal. Pleased with the answer, Akbar presented Birbal with precious gifts.

Moral : Having an explanation for your answer is just as important as having an answer.

Long ago, King Midas ruled in ancient Greece. He was a fair and wise king. His people were happy and prosperous under his rule. The king was known for his love for gold and his love for his only daughter, Marigold.

One day, he gave royal treatment to Silenus, the best friend of God Dionysus( the God of wine). Pleased with the king’s selfless hospitality, Dionysus granted him a wish.

Midas was overjoyed. He thought for a second and asked a boon that whatever he touches turns into gold. God granted him the wish. He said that from the following morning his mere touch will turn everything gold.

Midas eagerly waited for the sunrise. He couldnt wait to use his newly-acquired powers. He went about touching various objects and they turned into gold!

He was shouting with joy. After some time, he became hungry. The moment he touched a glass of water he could not drink it. It became solid gold. As he picked the bread, he could not eat it. It turned into gold.

He groaned in dismay and realized his folly. Just then, his daughter came to hug him. The moment she touched her father, she turned into a gold statue.

The king started wailing and realized that his golden touch is not a blessing. He begged God Dionysus to pardon his mistake and take back his boon. Since Midas was a kind-hearted man, Dionysus appeared before him and took away the golden touch power he had given to the king.

Everything turned back to normal immediately. Marigold came and hugged her father. Midas no longer considered gold as the greatest thing in the world. He had a hearty breakfast with his daughter.

Moral : Greed always causes pain and brings about downfall.

One day, a farmer named Bholaram, bought a well from his neighbor, Dharma. Dharma was a cunning man. When Bholaram went to fetch water from the well the next day, Dharma stopped him.

When asked why, he said that he had sold only the well to Bholaram, not the water. In order to use the water, Bholaram must pay for it.

Bholaram was shocked to see the cunningness of his neighbour. He took the matter to the court of Emperor Akbar. There, his minister, Birbal was given the responsibility to solve the matter.

Birbal called Dharma and asked why he was not letting Bholaram take the water from the well. To this, he replied,” I just sold the well, not the water within it. So, Bholaram has no right over the water.”

Birbal thought for a second and said, ” Since you have sold the well to the farmer, you have no right to keep your water in it. If you do so, you have to pay him the rent for using his well. Else, take out all your water immediately.

Dharma was caught off guard. He realized his cunning scheme stood no chance before the razor-sharp wit of Birbal. He apologized and went home.

Moral : Cheating can never lead to happy endings. You have to pay for your mistakes.

One day, a group of students were sitting in class when their teacher walked in. She had a stack of papers in her hand and began passing them out to the students.

“These are your mid-term exams,” she said. “I’ll be grading them and returning them to you tomorrow.”

The students groaned as they took their exams. They all knew that this was going to be a long night.

As the students worked on their exams, one of the boys began to cheat. He looked around the room to see if anyone was watching, and then he began to copy the answers from the student next to him.

The boy continued to cheat for a few minutes, but then he started to feel guilty. He knew that he was doing something wrong, and he didn’t want to get caught.

So, the boy stopped cheating and finished the exam on his own.

When the teacher returned the exams the next day, the boy was relieved to see that he had gotten a good grade. He had learned his lesson and realized that cheating is never the right thing to do.

Once upon a time, a wise man said that time is the most valuable thing a person can have. He was right! Just think about all the things you can do with your time: learn new things, play with friends, explore the world, help others, and so much more.

So don’t waste your time! Use it wisely, and you’ll be sure to achieve great things in life.

Another short story below,

One day, a little girl was playing in her backyard when she found a watch. She was excited to have found such a pretty thing and ran to show her mom. Her mom was very pleased and told her that she could keep the watch, but she must always remember that time is very valuable. The little girl was very happy and thanked her mom. She wore the watch all the time and made sure to be extra careful with it. Whenever she looked at the watch, she remembered her mom’s words and was reminded of how valuable time is.

Another short story about a girl below

Once upon a time there was a little girl who had a very special gift. She could make time stand still. She used her gift to help other people. She would help them finish their chores or tasks so they could have more free time. One day, she met a woman who was very sad. She had lost her husband and was having a hard time coping. The little girl used her gift to help the woman. She made time stand still so the woman could grieve and spend time with her husband’s spirit. The woman was very grateful and the little girl realized that her gift was very valuable. She used it to help others and make their lives better.

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Tag – short stories with moral , best English story with moral , moral value story in English , moral stories in English matter , small story in english with moral

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30 BEST Moral Stories in English For Children That You Need to Know

Stories have power. If you would like to teach your children some values through moral stories in English, you have come to the right place.

If your child is old enough, it might be helpful to discuss a story in-depth after they finish reading it. Stories have power, and they can prove to be teachable moments. Moral stories such as the popular thirsty crow story or the greedy dog story in English can teach our kids important life lessons. These discussions also offer an opportunity for you to bond with your kids.

How Moral Stories Benefit Kids

There are plenty of moral stories in English rich with benefits for kids. They activate your child’s imagination, entertain them, and make them happy. Short moral stories are ideal for maintaining their attention and keeping them focused during the entire story.

However, the best moral stories in English teach your children universal truths. Reading the same moral stories to them repetitively will help them to familiarise themselves with the story and its moral lesson. The best part about moral stories is that they can teach your kid life lessons in a fun and easy way.

Short moral stories for kids are the best way to teach valuable life lessons to kids. It is a fun and easy way through which children can understand complex concepts. Short stories work well as they’re just long enough for your child to concentrate.

Moral Stories for Kids

1. the boy who cried wolf.

There once was a boy who grew bored while watching over the village sheep. He wanted to make things more exciting. So, he yelled out that he saw a wolf chasing the sheep. All the villagers came running to drive the wolf away. However, they saw no wolf. The boy was amused, but the villagers were not. They told him not to do it again. Shortly after, he repeated this antic. The villagers came running again, only to find that he was lying. Later that day, the boy really sees a wolf sneaking amongst the flock. He jumped up and called out for help. But no one came this time because they thought he was still joking around. At sunset, the villagers looked for the boy. He had not returned with their sheep. They found him crying. He told them that there really was a wolf, and the entire flock was gone. An old man came to comfort him and told him that nobody would believe a liar even when they are being honest.

Moral : Lying breaks trust.

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2. The Golden Touch

The Greek king Midas did a good deed for a Satyr. This prompted Dionysus, the god of wine, to grant him a wish. Midas asked for everything he touched to turn to gold. Dionysus’ warned him not to do so, but Midas could not be swayed. Midas excitedly started touching everything and turning them into gold. Soon, he became hungry. But he couldn’t eat anything because even his food turned to gold. His beloved daughter saw him in distress and ran to hug him. However, she, too, turned to gold. He realised then the golden touch was not a blessing.

Moral : Greed leads one to downfall.

3. The Fox and the Grapes

A hungry fox once looked everywhere for food. He couldn’t find anything until he stumbled upon a farmer’s wall. He saw big, purple, juicy grapes. He jumped as high as possible to reach the grapes. No matter how many times he tried, he failed. Finally, he gave up and went home, thinking to himself that the grapes must have been sour anyway.

Moral : Nothing comes easy, do not hate what you can’t have.

4. The Proud Rose

In the desert existed a rose and a cactus. The beautiful rose would take every opportunity to insult the cactus. The other plants tried to defend the cactus, but the rose was too obsessed with its own looks. There was no water during a particularly hot summer. The rose started to wither away. But the cactus had become a source of water for sparrows. The rose asked the cactus for water, and the nice cactus readily agreed.

Moral : Never judge someone according to how they look.

5. The Milkmaid and Her Pail

Molly, the milkmaid’s job was to milk the cows and sell the milk at the market. She started thinking about the things she would spend her money on. While walking to the market, she spotted a chicken and thought that she could earn more money by buying a chicken and selling its eggs. She started to think how jealous she could make the other milkmaid with all the things she could buy from the milk and egg money. She started to skip in excitement, and soon the milk spilled over. She went home with empty pails and no money. Her mother then reminds her that she shouldn’t count her chicken until they hatch.

Moral : Do not depend on something until you are sure it will happen.

6. A Wise Old Owl

An old owl would observe incidents happening around his oak tree every day. The more things he saw, the less he would speak. He heard people talking and sharing stories as well. The old owl had seen so much and heard all kinds of stories. All of these experiences helped the owl to become wiser day by day.

Moral : Talk less and be more observant.

7. The Golden Egg

A farmer had a goose that laid one golden egg a day. He would sell the golden eggs, and they enjoyed a comfortable life. However, the farmer became greedy and wanted more than one egg a day. His wife foolishly agreed to his idea. The next day the farmer cut open the goose after it laid the golden egg. He could only find blood and guts. He realised his mistake. He now had no source of income, and the couple became poorer every day.

Moral : Think before you act.

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8. The Farmer and the Well

A farmer bought a well from his neighbour to water his farm. The neighbour sold him the well but did not allow him to draw water from it. The farmer went to the emperor for justice. His courtier questioned the neighbour, who said that he had sold the well but not the water within it. The neighbour was told to either pay rent for the water to remove it all immediately. Realising that his trick didn’t work, he apologised and went home.

Moral : Cheating will get you nowhere.

9. Elephant and Friends

A lonely elephant was looking for friends in the forest. The monkey declined to be the elephant’s friend because the elephant could not swing in the trees. The rabbit turned the elephant because it was too big to fit in the burrow. The frog refused to be the elephant’s friend because it could not jump. Every other animal said no to the poor elephant. The next day, all the animals in the forest were running away in fear. The elephant stopped a bear who said that the tiger was attacking them all. The elephant nicely asked the tiger to stop, but the tiger told the elephant to stay out of the way. The elephant proceeded to kick the tiger and scare it away. The other animals then realised that the elephant was the perfect size to be their friend.

Moral : Friends can be any shape or size.

10. When Adversity Knocks

There once was a girl who was frustrated with life and asked her father for advice. He asked her to bring an egg, two tea leaves, and a potato. He then started boiling water in three separate vessels. He put the egg, potato, and tea leaves in one vessel each. After a few minutes, he asked her to peel the egg and potato and strain the leaves. He explained to his daughter that:

• The soft egg was now hard.
• The hard potato was now soft.
• The tea had changed the water itself.

When adversity is at our door, we can respond to it in different ways.

Moral : We decide how to respond to difficult situations.

11. The Needle Tree

There were two brothers; the older one was always mean to the younger one. The older one would chop firewood in the forest and sell it in the market. One day, he stumbled across a magical tree. The tree begged him not to cut him down and promised him golden apples in exchange. The older brother felt disappointed with the number of apples he received. He decided to cut down the tree anyway, but the tree showered him with hundreds of needles. The boy was left lying on the forest ground in pain. His younger brother finally found him and carefully took out every needle. The older brother finally apologised for treating his brother badly. The magical tree saw this exchange. It decided to give them more golden apples.

Moral : Kindness will always be rewarded.

12. A Glass of Milk

There was a poor boy who would sell newspapers to pay for school. One day, he was ravenous and decided to ask for food at the next house he visited. Several people denied him food. However, a girl at one house offered him a glass of milk. She refused to take payment for it. After many years, this girl fell sick. No doctor wanted to help her. She decided to go to the best doctor in the town. The doctor spent months treating her, though she could not afford the service. When she received the hospital bill, it read ‘Paid in full, with a glass of milk.’

Moral : Good deeds are always rewarded.

13. The Ants and the Grasshopper

A family of ants was drying out the grain they had stored during the summer. A hungry grasshopper comes to them and asks for some food. They asked him why he had not saved any food for the winter. The grasshopper said he was too busy making music during the summer that he didn’t save any food. The ants had no sympathy for the grasshopper and went back to work. Can you guess the ant and grasshopper story moral?

Moral : There’s a time to work and a time to play.

14. The Bundle of Sticks

An old man had three sons. They were hard workers but always fought. He could never unite them. He then fell ill and asked his sons to unite. They paid him no heed. He decided to teach them a lesson to set aside their differences. He gave them a bundle of sticks and told them to break it into two. Whoever finishes first would win. They quickly did this and started fighting again. He then gave them another bundle of sticks and told them to break it as a bundle and not separately. Despite their best efforts, they could not do it. He told them it was easy to break the sticks individually. But if you stay united, no one can hurt you. They finally understood the value of unity.

Moral : There’s strength in unity.

15. The Bear and the Two Friends

Two friends were walking through the forest. Since it was dangerous, they promised to stay close to each other. They see a bear approaching them. One friend scurries up a tree, leaving the other one behind. The other friend decided to pretend to be dead. The bear approached him, smelled his ear and then left. The friend in the tree climbed down and asked the other friend what the bear had told him. He replies, “The bear simply advised against believing a false friend.”

Moral : True friends stick with you through all situations.

16. The Miser and His Gold

Once, there was a miser who would hide all his gold under the stones in his garden. He never spent his gold, and without fail, he would count his coins before going to bed every day. One day a thief spotted him counting his coins. After the miser went to sleep, the thief stole all the gold. The next day, the miser saw that all his gold was missing and started wailing. His neighbours came running and asked him what had happened. The neighbours asked him why he didn’t keep the gold in the house since it would be easy to access inside. The mise revealed he never planned on spending the gold. The neighbours told him he might as well save his stones, as the unused gold was just as useless.

Moral : A possession is important only if you use it.

17. The Dog At the Well

On a farm lived a mother dog and her pups. The mother dog warned her pups to never play near the well. However, one curious puppy decided to peek over the well. He saw his own reflection in the well and assumed it was another dog. He started barking at his reflection as he thought the other dog was imitating him. He jumped into the well to fight the other puppy, only to realise that there was no other puppy. He kept on barking till the farmer came and saved him. The puppy never went back to the well again.

Moral : Heed the warnings of those who are wiser.

18. Controlling Anger

There was a young boy who could not control his anger. He would say whatever came to his mind, even if it hurts people. His father asked him to hammer in a nail in the backyard fence whenever he got angry. In the beginning, he used up a lot of nails. But as time went by, he started using less. The father then asked him to start removing a nail each day; he didn’t get angry. When he removed all the nails, the father asked him to see the holes in the fence. He reminded him that the fence would never be the same. Likewise, the things he had said to people could never be erased.

Moral : Anger leaves scars on people.

19. The Leap at Rhodes

There was a man who used to travel to foreign lands. He would only talk about his adventures and deeds. He claimed he had made a great leap in a city called Rhodes. He bragged about it to no end. One listener told him to prove it physically, and he could not.

Moral : It is the deed that counts.

20. The Wolf and the Sheep

There was a wolf who got injured while fighting a bear. He wasn’t able to get himself food or water. One day a sheep passed by him. He asked the sheep to get him water, so he had the strength to get solid food. The sheep quickly realised he was the solid food, said he would not get the wolf any water, and went away.

Moral : You can spot a person’s ulterior motives if you pay attention.

21. The Tortoise And The Bird

A tortoise was resting under a tree. On this tree, a bird had built its nest. The tortoise mocked the bird for having a home built with broken twigs, which it had to build itself. He bragged about his own shell and said the bird must be jealous. The bird told the tortoise that its nest might be shabby, but it had space for its friends and family. At the same time, the tortoise’s shell could never accommodate anyone else except the tortoise himself.

Moral : A crowded hut is better than a lonely mansion.

22. The Cows And The Tiger

Four cows lived in a forest. They were good friends who did everything together. No other predators were able to kill them for food. One day, they fought and decided to graze in different directions. A tiger saw this and decided it would be easy to kill them now. The tiger hid in a bush and killed the cows one by one.

Moral : There is strength in numbers.

23. The Four Students

Four friends who hated studying partied all night before their exams. They asked the Dean to give them a second chance by lying about their whereabouts. They told the Dean they had gone to a wedding the night before, and on their way back, they had a flat tire, requiring them to push the car all the way back. The Dean agreed to let them take the test again. They studied hard for the exam. On the exam day, they were made to sit in separate classrooms and were given only two questions:

• Which tire of the car burst: a) Front Left b) Front right c) Rear left d) Rear right

Moral : You may be smart, but there are smarter people than you.

24. The Stork and the Crab

There once was an old stork who could not catch fish anymore. As he grew hungrier, he devised a plan. He told the fish in the tank that the farmers would soon empty out the tank and grow crops there. He offered to take the distressed fish to a bigger tank further away. The fish happily agreed, but the stork would take them to a rock and kill them. There was also a crab in the tank who wished to be saved. The stork, thinking he could try some new food, agreed to take him. However, the crab quickly noticed the fish bones on the rock. He immediately dug his claws into the stork’s neck and killed him. He then went back to the old tank and informed the other fish.

Moral : A sharp mind is your greatest strength.

25. The Camel And The Baby

A baby camel once asked her mother why they had humps, round hooves, and long eyelashes. The mother explained that the humps could store water, the rounded hooves were to help them walk through the desert, and the long eyelashes protected their eyes from sand. The baby thought over this and then asked her mother if they have all these qualities for the desert, why are they in a zoo? The mother was dumbfounded.

Moral : Your strengths and skills are of no use in the wrong place.

26. The Rabbit and the Partridge

A partridge could not find food near its home, so it travelled far away to some cornfields. It stayed there for a few days before returning home. Meanwhile, a rabbit had found the empty nest and made itself at home. When the partridge returned, they both fought over whose house it was. The other animals suggested going to a judge. They found a praying cat by the river and decided to ask for help. Seeing how the cat was praying, they trusted it. The cat heard them both out but asked them to come closer as he couldn’t hear well. When they got closer, the cat killed and ate them both.

Moral : Don’t trust strangers no matter how friendly they seem.

27. The Wolf And The Shepherds

One day a wolf was chased away for trying to steal some sheep from a farm. Later that week, the wolf returned to the farm, hoping to find food. He found that the farmer’s family was eating lamb roast. He was dismayed that he was chased off for wanting the same thing the farmer’s family had done.

Moral : We are quick to condemn others without realising our own faults.

28. The Young Crab And His Mother

One day, a young crab was trying to move. But, he could only move sideways. The mother admonishes him and tells him to walk forward by pointing his toes out front. The young crab says he doesn’t know how, so the mother gets up to show him. However, she cannot walk forward either. She realises how unfair she was being and apologises to him.

Moral : Do not condemn others for what you cannot do yourself.

29. The Other Side Of The Wall

There was a young woman who was fond of gardening. She took great care of her garden. One day she found a plant in a catalogue and decided she wanted to plant it. She planted it at the base of the stonewall in her garden. It quickly grew, but no flowers bloomed on the tree. She thought she would cut it down, but her neighbour called her and thanked her for the beautiful flowers blooming on its vines. She rushes over and realises that the vine had crept through the crevices of the stonewall. The flowers had bloomed generously on the other side.

Moral : You may not see the results, but that doesn’t mean your efforts bore no fruit.

30. The Wet Pants

There was once a young boy in school. He had wet his pants and was scared that his class would make fun of him. He noticed that the teacher and a classmate were walking towards him with a goldfish bowl. The young girl trips and drops the fishbowl in his lap. The rest of the classmates think it is her fault for wetting his pants. Later, he asks her if she did that on purpose. She tells him, “I wet my pants once too.”

Moral : We all have good and bad days. Your true friends will help you out.

Tips on Making Storytime Interesting for Your Kids

While moral stories in English are important to share with your kids, it matters how you narrate them. To make the story less preachy and more engaging and fun for them, here is how you can do it:

• Read the story out in creative ways . You can adapt the persona of a character to catch their interest. You can use different voices for different characters or act out the scenes. Bringing life to the characters and acting out the different parts of the story will make the story fun and memorable for your child.
• If you are reading out from a book or using pictures, keep it in front of your kids . You can ask them to help you turn pages or to trace the words you are reading. This is a great way to bond while reading moral stories in English.
• After you finish reciting the story, discuss it with your children . You can ask them questions and discuss the moral at the end. This will help you to know if your child has picked up on the moral of the story. Asking them questions will also keep them engaged and promote their speech development. You can even share your own perspectives and explain the meaning to them. This can help them build their vocabulary.
• Ask your child to read along with you . You can both read the story aloud. This will encourage them to develop a reading habit while improving their reading skills.
• Take the story outside . You don’t necessarily need to sit at home or in their bedroom to read out a story. You can read it in the park, a garden, the terrace, or any outside space. This will give more depth to the story and make your kid enjoy it even more.
• Read the story at different times of the day and not just at bedtime. This will help you understand their attention span. If you know when they have the strongest attention span, you can read stories at that time.

Summing up on Moral Stories for Kids

Young children will learn about the world around them. They spend their childhood picking up social cues. They can become kinder individuals when you read different types of friendship moral stories in English to them . There are tons of moral stories in English you can find which will help their personality development. Take some time out in the day to spend with your child and read them these valuable moral stories in English.

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34 English Short Stories with Big Ideas for Thoughtful English Learners

What if you could understand big ideas in English with just a little bit of text?

You don’t need to read an entire English book to learn. A good English short story is often enough!

Stories are all about going beyond reality, and these classics will not only improve your English reading but also open your mind to different worlds.

1. “The Tortoise and the Hare” by Aesop

2. “the ant and the grasshopper” by aesop, 3. “white wing: the tale of the doves and the hunter”, 4. “royal servant”, 5. “emily’s secret”, 6. “the bogey beast” by flora annie steel, 7. “love is in the air”, 8. “the tale of johnny town-mouse” by beatrix potter, 9. “paul bunyan” adapted by george grow, 10. “cinderella” by charles perrault, 11. “little red riding hood” adapted by the british council, 12. “the lottery” by shirley jackson, 13. “the happy prince” by oscar wilde.

• 14. “The Night Train at Deoli” by Ruskin Bond

15. “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury

• 16. “Orientation” by Daniel Orozco

17. “Paper Menagerie” by Ken Liu

18. “the missing mail” by r.k. narayan, 19. “harrison bergeron” by kurt vonnegut.

• 20. “The School” by Donald Barthelme

21. “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid

22. “rikki-tikki-tavi” by rudyard kipling, 23. excerpt from “little dorrit” by charles dickens, 24. “to build a fire” by jack london, 25. “miracles” by lucy corin.

• 26. “Evil Robot Monkey” by Mary Robinette Kowal

27. “The Boarded Window” by Ambrose Bierce 

28. “the monkey’s paw” by w.w. jacobs, 29. “a tiny feast” by chris adrian, 30. “the story of an hour” by kate chopin, 31. “the zero meter diving team” by jim shepherd, 32. “the velveteen rabbit” by margery williams, 33. “the friday everything changed” by anne hart, 34. “hills like white elephants” by ernest hemingway, how to use short stories to improve your english, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

This classic fable (story) is about a very slow tortoise (turtle) and a speedy hare (rabbit). The tortoise challenges the hare to a race. The hare laughs at the idea that a tortoise could run faster than him, but the race ends with a surprising result.

Have you ever heard the English expression, “Slow and steady wins the race”? This story is the basis for that common phrase . You can read it for free , along with a number of other stories in this list!

This is another great story that teaches a lesson that’s written for kids but adults can enjoy, too . The story tells of a grasshopper who lounges around all summer while his friend the ant prepares for the winter. When winter comes, the two friends end up in very different situations!

The moral is that those who save up during the good times will get to enjoy the benefits when times are bad.

This very short story from India was originally written in Sanskrit (an ancient language). When a group of doves is caught in a hunter’s net, they must work together as a team to escape from the hunter’s clutches.

You can listen to a reading of the story as you read along on this website.

In this story, an old man sets out to ask an African king to dig some wells in his village when their water runs dry. But first, he teaches the king a lesson in humility by showing him how all people help each other. Read the story to see how the clever old man gets the king to do as he asks!

This is a modern-day story about a little girl with a big secret she can’t tell anyone about. When her teacher finds out her secret, they work together to fix the issue.

This story is a good choice for absolute beginners, because it uses only the present tense. It’s also written in very basic English with simple vocabulary and short sentences.

The woman in this story finds a pot of treasure on her walk home. As she carries it home, the treasure keeps changing, becoming things of lesser value.

However, the woman’s enthusiasm makes her see only the positive after each change, which would have upset anyone else. Her positive personality tries to make every negative situation seem like a gift!

This story shows how important it is to look at things from a positive point of view. Instead of being disappointed in what we don’t have, this story reminds us to view what we do have as blessings.

This modern story is about a young woman named Penny who is anxious about going to her family’s annual reunion barbecue. But despite screaming children and arguing cousins, Penny ends up happy that she came to the reunion when she starts a conversation with a handsome man.

The story is written in simple English, using only the present tense, so it’s perfect for beginners.

This classic children’s story is about two mice, one from the country and one from the city. Both mice think that the other mouse is so lucky to live in what they think is a wonderful place!

The two mice decide to visit each other in their homes. It turns out that the country mouse has a difficult time in the city, and the city mouse struggles in the country.

In the end, they realize that they believed the old English saying: “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” In other words, each mouse thought the other had a better life, only to discover that they actually preferred their own life!

The story of Paul Bunyan has been around in the United States for many years. He’s the symbol of American frontier life, showing the ideal strength, work ethic and good morality that Americans work hard to imitate.

Paul Bunyan is considered a legend, so stories about him are full of unusual details, such as eating 50 eggs in one day and being so big that he caused an earthquake. It can be a pretty funny read, with characters such as a blue ox and a reversible dog.

This version of the story is also meant to be read out loud, so it’s fast-paced and entertaining. This website has an audio recording with the story, which you can play at slower or faster speeds.

You may already know the story of Cinderella, whether you saw the Disney movie or read a children’s book of it.

However, there are actually many different versions of “Cinderella.” This one by Charles Perrault is the most well-known and is often the version told to children.

“Cinderella” is a beloved story because it describes how a kind and hard-working person was able to get a happy ending. Even though Cinderella’s stepsisters treated her awfully, Cinderella herself remained gentle and humble. It goes to show that even though you may experience hardships, it’s important to stay kind, forgiving and mindful.

This is a story that every English-speaking child knows. It’s about a little girl who meets a wolf in the forest while going to see her sick grandmother. The wolf pretends to be her grandmother in order to trick the little girl.

This story is presented by the British Council as a video with the text clearly spoken. You can then play a game to rearrange the sentences below the video into the correct order, read the text of the story in a PDF file and answer some activity questions (then check your answers with the provided answer sheet.

This website has many other stories you can read and listen to, like “Circus Story” by Sue Clarke, which is an excellent option for learning animal vocabulary, and even adaptations of Shakespeare plays for younger readers.

Every year, the small town in this story holds an event known as “The Lottery.” During this event, someone from the community is randomly chosen.

What are they chosen for? You’ll have to read the story to find out.

You may have heard of the term “mob mentality” and how it can allow for some pretty surprising (and terrible) things to happen. This classic story looks at society, and how much evil people are willing to overlook to keep their society stable.

This is considered to be one of the most famous short stories in American literature. It’s a great example of what is known as a dystopian society, where people live in a frightening way. To learn more, check out this TED-Ed video that tells you how to recognize a dystopia.

Since the story is old, much of the English is outdated (not used in modern English). Still, if you have a good grasp of the English language, you can use this story to give yourself a great reading challenge.

14. “The Night Train at Deoli”  by Ruskin Bond

Ruskin Bond used to spend summers at his grandmother’s house in Dehradun, India. While taking the train, he always had to pass through a small station called Deoli. No one used to get down at the station and nothing happened there.

Until one day, when he sees a girl selling fruit and is unable to forget her.

Ruskin Bond is a writer who can communicate deep feelings in a simple way. This story is about our attachment to strangers and why we cherish (value or appreciate deeply) them even though we might never meet them again.

The title is taken from a poem that describes how nature will continue its work long after humanity is gone. But in this story, we see that nature plays a supporting role and the machines are the ones who have taken its place.

They continue their work without any human or natural assistance. This shows how technology has replaced nature in our lives and how it can both destroy us and carry on without humanity itself.

16. “Orientation”  by Daniel Orozco

This is a humorous story in which the speaker explains the office policies to a new employee while gossiping about the staff. It’s extremely easy to read, as the sentences are short and the vocabulary is simple.

Many working English learners will relate to this story, as it explains the silly, nonsensical moments of modern office life. Modern workplaces often feel like theaters where we pretend to work rather than get actual work done. The speaker exposes this reality that few would ever admit to.

He over-explains everything from the view out the office window to the intimate details of everyone’s life—from the overweight loner to the secret serial killer. It talks about the things that go unsaid; how people at the office know about the deep secrets of our home life, but don’t discuss them.

Jack’s mother can make paper animals come to life. In the beginning, Jack loves them and spends hours with his mom. But once he grows up, his mother’s inability to speak English keeps Jack from talking to her.

When his mother tries to talk to him through her creations, he kills them and collects them in a box. After a tragic loss, he finally gets to know her story through a hidden message that he should have read a long time ago.

The story is a simple narration that touches on complex issues, like leaving your home country and the conflicts that can occur within families when different cultures and languages collide.

Thanappa is the village mailman, who is good friends with Ramanujam and his family. He learns about a failed marriage and helps Ramanujam’s daughter get engaged to a suitable match.

Just before the wedding, Thanappa receives a tragic letter about Ramanujam’s brother. To spare them heartache, he decides not to deliver the letter.

The story explores the idea that despite the best of intentions, our actions can cause more harm to our loved ones than we ever intended. If you like this and want to read more by R.K. Narayan, check out the other stories in the author’s “ Malgudi Days” short story collection.

The year is 2081, and everyone has been made equal by force. Every person who is superior in any way has been handicapped (something that prevents a person’s full use of their abilities) by the government. Intelligent people are distracted by disturbing noises. Good dancers have to wear weights so that they don’t dance too well. Attractive people wear ugly masks so they don’t look better than anyone else.

However, one day there is a rebellion, and everything changes for a brief instant.

Technology is always supposed to make us better. But in this case, we see that it can be used to disable our talents. Moreover, the writer shows us how the mindless use of a single value like equality can create more suffering for everyone.

20. “The School”  by Donald Barthelme

And that’s just the beginning of the series of unfortunate events at the school in this short story, narrated by a teacher. The story is absurd (ridiculous to the point of being silly), even though the topic is serious. By the end, the kids start asking difficult questions about death that the adults don’t quite know how to answer.

This story leaves a lot of things unsaid, which means you’ll need to “read between the lines,” or look closer at the text to understand what’s really happening.

In “Girl,” a mother tells her daughter how to live her life properly. The mother instructs the girl to do all the household chores, in very specific ways, making it seem like that’s her only duty in life.

Sometimes the mother tells the girl how to attract attention, not to talk to boys and to always keep away from men. Other times, the mother hints that the girl will need to be attractive to men to live a good life.

This story doesn’t feel like a story. There’s no plot, and nothing really happens. But read closely, and you’ll see an important message about how girls are taught to live restricted lives since childhood.

“Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” is a classic tale about a Mongoose who regularly visits a family in India. The family feeds him and lets him explore their house, but they worry that he might bite their son, Teddy.

One day, when a snake is about to attack Teddy, the Mongoose kills it. This event helps the family accept the mongoose into their family.

This is a simple story about humans and animals living together as friends. It’s old, but the language is fairly easy to understand. It reminds us that animals can also experience feelings of love and, like humans, they will also protect the ones they love.

“Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” is part of Kipling’s short story collection “The Jungle Book,” which was famously made into a movie by Disney.

Dorrit is a child whose father has been in prison ever since she could remember. Unable to pay their debts, the whole family is forced to spend their days in a cell. Dorrit dreams of seeing the world outside their little cell.

This excerpt (short part of a larger work) introduces you to the family and their life in prison. The novel is about how they manage to get out and how Dorrit never forgets the kindness of the people who helped her.

Injustice in law is often reserved for the poor. “Little Dorrit” shows the government jailing people for not being able to return their loans, a historical practice the writer hated since his own father was punished in a similar way.

A man travels to a freezing, isolated place called Yukon with only his dog for company. Throughout his journey, he ignores the advice other people have given him and takes his life for granted.

Finally, he realizes the real power of nature and how fragile (easily broken) human life actually is.

Nature is often seen as a powerful force that should be feared and respected. The animal in this story is the one who’s cautious and sensible in this dangerous situation. By the end, readers wonder who is really intelligent—the man who could not deal with nature, or the dog who could survive?

This is a modern-day story that describes a group of children gathering around their father to watch little spiders hatch out of their eggs. But the story gets a different meaning as it nears the end. What do you think happened?

26. “Evil Robot Monkey ” by Mary Robinette Kowal

Sly is a character who doesn’t fit into society. He’s too smart for the other chimps, but humans don’t accept him. He is punished for acting out his natural emotions.

But the way he handles his rage, in the end, makes him look more mature than most human beings. Nominated for the  Hugo award , many readers have connected with Sly since they can see similarities in their own lives.

“The Boarded Window” is a horror story about a man who has to deal with his wife’s death. The setting is a remote cabin in the wilderness in Cincinnati, and he feels helpless as she gets sick.

There’s an interesting twist to this story, and the ending will get you thinking (and maybe feeling a bit disturbed!).

If you enjoy older stories with a little suspense, this will be a good challenge for you. It talks about the event that made a hermit decide to live alone for decades, with a mysterious window boarded up in his cabin. It also uses a lot of psychology and symbolism, so you may want to read the story more than once to understand everything it has to say.

Be careful what you wish for! One man finds this out the hard way when he brings a magical monkey’s paw home from India. This paw is supposed to grant three wishes to three people. People start to wish on it, only to realize that our wishes can have severe consequences.

The characters in this story immediately regret when their wishes come true. Even though they get what they wanted, it comes at a large cost!

This short story is from the early 1900s and uses some outdated English, but it’s still easy to follow. It reminds us that there are no shortcuts in life, and to be wary if something seems too good to be true.

This story centers around Titania and Oberon, two fairy characters from Shakespeare’s famous play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The two fairies are having a rough time in their marriage when they find a human child. They decide to adopt him, hoping that he’ll help them save their relationship. However, the child develops a deadly, modern disease and the fairies have no idea what to do since they have never known illness or death.

This is a tragic tale about how they try to understand something they’ve never seen before and their deep love for a stranger who is so unlike them. The story explores the grief of parenthood and the uncertainty of knowing whether your child will ever even know you.

This story, written by a woman, is a sad look inside an unhappy marriage. Mrs. Mallard is a woman with heart troubles. When her husband dies, the people who come to give her this news tell it to her gently, so she doesn’t have a shock.

Mrs. Mallard busts into tears and locks herself in her room. At first, she’s upset by the news. But the more she considers it, the more excited she becomes about the idea of the freedom that would come from her husband’s death.

What happens, then, when her husband comes home after an hour, alive and well?

The story explores the conflicting range of the human emotions of grief and hope in a short span, and the impact it can have on a person’s mind and body.

The Chernobyl nuclear disaster was one of the deadliest accidents of the twentieth century. This is a story about that event seen through the eyes of a father and his sons, who were all unfortunate enough to be close to the disaster area.

The story exposes the whole system of corruption that led to a massive explosion taking innocent lives and poisoning multiple generations. The technical vocabulary and foreign words make this text a little more difficult. However, its plot is relatively easy to follow.

The story is divided into small parts that make it both easy and exciting to read. Its various events show what it was like to live in the former Soviet Union . And just like any other good story, it’s also about human relationships and how they change due to historic events.

A simple, stuffed rabbit toy is given to a young boy as a Christmas present. At first, the rabbit isn’t noticed, as the boy is distracted by much fancier gifts. While being ignored, the rabbit begins to wonder what it means to be “real.”

One day, a certain event brings the rabbit into contact with the boy, and changes the toy’s life forever.

Have you ever loved a toy or doll so much, that you treated it as if it were alive? This story shows the power of love from a very unexpected viewpoint: that of a fluffy stuffed rabbit. It also highlights the importance of self-value, being true to yourself and finding strength in those who love you.

Tradition is important in this school, where the boys always go to fetch water for the class. The girls are teased for being “weaker,” and are last to get other privileges, like having the first choice of magazines. One day, a girl asks the teacher why girls aren’t allowed to get the water, as well. This one question causes a big reaction and leads to a huge change.

The girl’s courage surprises everyone, but it also inspires other girls to stand up for themselves. One act from one brave person can lead to change and inspire others. The story reflects on gender equality and how important it is to fight for fairness. Just because something is accepted as “normal,” doesn’t mean it is right!

At a Spanish train station, an American man and a young woman wait for a train that would take them to the city of Madrid. The woman sees some faraway hills and compares them to “white elephants.” This starts a conversation between the two of them, but what they discuss seems to have a deeper meaning.

This is another very well-known story that asks you to “read between the lines” to find the hidden meaning behind the text. Much of the story is a back-and-forth dialogue between two people, but you can tell a lot about them just from what they say to each other.

There’s a lot of symbolism that you can analyze in this story, along with context clues. Once you realize what the real topic of the characters’ conversation is, you can figure out the quiet, sadder meaning behind it.

Short stories are effective in helping English learners to practice all four aspects of language learning: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Here’s how you can make the most out of short stories as an English learner:

• Use illustrations to enhance your experience: Some short stories come with illustrations that you can use to guess what the story is about. You can even write your own caption or description of the picture. When you finish the story, go back to your image description. How did you do?

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• Explore stories related to a theme: Do you like ghost stories? Science fiction? Romance? If you’re learning about food or cooking, find a short story with a lot of food vocabulary .
• Choose the right reading level: Make sure that you always challenge yourself! One easy way to tell if a story is just right for you is to use the “five-finger test.” Hold up your fist as you read a paragraph, and put up one finger for each word you don’t know. If you have all five fingers up before the end of the paragraph, try to find an easier text.
• Practice “active reading”: Your reading will only help you learn if you read actively . You’re reading actively when you’re paying very close attention to the story, its words and its meanings. Writing with a notebook nearby and in a place with no distractions can help you focus on active reading.
• Choose only a few words to look up: You may be tempted to stop at every unknown word, but it’s actually better to try to figure out its meaning from context clues. This means looking at everything else in the sentence or paragraph to try and guess the meaning of the word. Only look up words that you can’t figure out even with context clues.
• Summarize the story: When you’ve finished reading the story, retell it in your own words or write a summary of it. This will help you to practice any new words you learned, and make sure that you understood the story well. If you’re struggling, read the story again and take notes as you read.
• Take breaks: Just because these stories are short, doesn’t mean you need to read them in one sitting! If you find it hard to focus or you’re struggling to understand the story, take a break. It’s okay to read it one paragraph at a time.

I hope you have fun with these English short stories while improving your English language skills.

Happy reading!

If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here:

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10 Enlightening Short Moral Stories for Kids

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• April 25, 2019

Stories are a great way of teaching kids the difference between right and wrong. Additionally, they help them gain a general understanding of basic human ethics and behavioural patterns. As children, we grew up reading and listening to the folk tales of Panchatantra stories, Tinkle, Amar Chitra Katha along with Jataka tales and we may not realize it but those short moral stories for kids have played an essential role in making us who we are today.

The values, beliefs, and morals imparted by these didactic stories for kids are the foundations of our personalities. That’s why it’s important to pass down these short stories with morals to make kids into well-rounded individuals.

We have curated a list of short moral stories for kids that remain relevant even today. Plus we’ve added a few modern stories with symbolic, underlined meanings that are hand-picked from the GetLitt! library .

Short Moral Stories For Kids

1 the midas touch: .

Moral: Don’t be greedy, be content with what you have.

This English story for kids is about King Midas. In Ancient Greece, there resided a very wealthy king, Midas. He had everything he could have ever asked for and more, along with a beautiful daughter whom he held dear to his heart, even more than his riches.

A day came where Silenus, a satyr loyal to the God of Wine and Celebration, Dionysus, passed out in Midas’ garden. Since Midas believed that satyrs brought him good luck, he went against the wishes of his family and let Silenus rest in his palace until he awoke again.

When Dionysus heard about Midas’ act of kindness towards his friend, he decided to grant the wealthy king a wish. Midas wished that anything he touches must turn to gold. Even though Dionysus was aware that this was a recipe for disaster, he granted the wish anyway. Midas was ecstatic – he went around touching the most random things in the garden and palace to turn them into gold. When he picked up an apple, it turned into a shiny gold apple. All the courtiers were very fascinated.

Midas had never been happier…in all his excitement, he hugged his daughter, forgetting that anything he touched would turn to gold! Hence, his daughter took the form of a lifeless, gold statue. Realizing what he had done, Midas ran to Dionysus and begged God to save his daughter. Complying with his wish, Dionysus saved his daughter and took away all of Midas’ powers too, claiming that it was for the best. Midas had learned his lesson and lived the rest of his days satisfied with what he had.

2 Brown Like Dosas Samosas & Sticky Chikki

This story revolves around young girl Samaira, a young girl with caramel skin who loves the colour brown. One night, she tumbles into a magical realm where she encounters a dilemma pertaining to the colour of her skin, in which she has never seen any flaws.

A strange purple lady with magic powers, Anahi, makes Samaira a very unusual offer. She tells Samaira that if she’d like, the purple lady could lighten the colour of her skin. This did not appeal to Samaira whatsoever! In fact, she elaborated why she took pride in her skin tone, the way her mother had always taught her to. Each time the purple lady offers Samaira lighter skin, she respectfully declines and expresses that her self-worth and beauty cannot be defined by the colour of her skin.

This mature reaction sets a great example for kids reading the story as it teaches them to be patient and reject an idea in a respectful manner when it doesn’t align with their beliefs. Samaira’s assertiveness is inspirational and is an uplifting example of standing up for what you believe is right.

The story in simple english is extremely insightful and a must read for both, children and adults. It addresses one of the world’s most complex issues – unrealistic beauty standards. The book does this in a very appropriate manner that will stimulate a child’s mind – thereby acting as a tool in shaping their core beliefs. It is an empowering tale for all those who have faced issues with discrimination. It paves a path to self-confidence for these individuals. Join Samaira on her journey of self-discovery up on the fluffy cloud in the GetLitt! Library.

Read Brown Like Dosas Samosas & Sticky Chikki HERE

3 The Musical Donkey

Moral : Think before you act.

Udhata, a thin donkey who was starved by his owner, a local fisherman, went in search of food with his friend, a jackal. The pair wandered around the village in the middle of the night until they stumbled upon a cucumber field. That night, they truly relished their meal and decided to pay a visit to the cucumber field every night. Udhata eventually began to look much healthier and was able to pick up more load.

Once, after an appetizing and wholesome meal of cucumbers, the donkey insisted on singing. Knowing that this was foolish, the jackal advised him against the same but the stubborn donkey refused to listen to his friend. Even when the jackal told the donkey that his voice wasn’t exactly sweet, Udhata dismissed his comment – thinking that the jackal was jealous. He told the jackal that he was happy, and there’s nothing wrong in expressing one’s happiness. Once again, the jackal warned him of his foolish behaviour and of bringing trouble upon himself by disturbing the guards. However, the foolish donkey would not budge.

When the donkey started to sing, the jackal interrupted and asked the donkey to wait until the jackal jumps over the other side of the fence for his own safety. The jackal decided to wait outside. On hearing the loud braying noise made by the donkey, the guard naturally awoke from his slumber. When he spotted Udhata, the guard beat him black and blue mercilessly. He didn’t hold back whatsoever and channelled all of his anger onto the donkey who was truly regretting not taking his friend’s advice. Once he was done, the donkey could barely move. Yet, he somehow dragged his limp body out of the field, where the jackal had been waiting for him. His friend had a sympathetic look on his face as he said, “I told you so.”

4  The Clever Monkey

Moral: Remain calm and use the presence of mind to get out of adverse situations.

Once upon a time, a clever monkey resided on a tree that bore fresh, luscious berries. A day arrived when a crocodile swam up to the tree and told the monkey that he had travelled a very long distance and was extremely exhausted from his journey. The crocodile had been in search of food and was very hungry. On hearing this, the kind monkey offered him a few berries for which the crocodile was very thankful. He asked the monkey if he could visit him again soon for some fruit. The monkey happily agreed.

The crocodile came back the next day, and the day after that. Soon, this became a daily ritual and they grew to become good friends. As all friends do, they discussed the goings-ons of their lives and confided in each other.  The crocodile told the monkey about his wife who lived on the other side of the river. So, the generous monkey offered the crocodile some extra berries to take home for his wife.

The crocodile and the monkey continued to grow closer as friends and they ate berries together. The monkey would often give the crocodiles extra berries to take home for his wife. Because of how close the two friends had become, the crocodile’s wife started growing jealous. She wanted to put an end to their friendship. She thought to herself that if the monkey survived on a diet of the tasty berries, his flesh must be really sweet. So, she asked the crocodile to invite his friend over to dinner. The crocodile refused because he knew that his wife was up to some nasty trick. However, she was determined to eat the monkey’s flesh.

She pretended to fall ill and told the crocodile that her doctor claims that the only thing that would keep her from dying is a monkey’s heart. On hearing this, the crocodile rushed to the monkey’s tree and lied to him saying that his wife had prepared them a delicious dinner. The monkey happily agreed and climbed onto the crocodile’s back. Halfway through, the monkey noticed that the crocodile began to sink. Frightened, the monkey asked his friend why he was doing that. The crocodile explained the situation truthfully.

The clever monkey told him that this was an unfortunate situation because he had left his heart at home. If the crocodile took him back, he would gladly give his heart away to nurse the crocodile’s wife back to health. The silly crocodile fell for the monkey’s clever lie and rushed back to the tree so that he could take the monkey’s heart. As soon as they reached, the monkey hastily scampered up to safety and told the crocodile to tell his wife that she had married a fool!

5 Boo! When My Sister Died

This beautifully animated story deals with the closeted topic of death in a very skilful way. It revolves around Noorie, whose world collapses completely after her sister Zoya passes away. Everything in her once stable life feels shaken up.

The story picks up when her mother claims that Zoya was always going to be with her, in spirit at least, but Noorie couldn’t help feeling an emptiness from within. Her coping mechanism leads her to see flashes of her dead sister in unexpected places.

The illustrations in the story are very powerful and convey a sense of darkness yet hope throughout the book. Losing a sibling is extremely horrifying and disturbing. Noorie’s emotional rollercoaster conveys all the stages of grief in a child-friendly manner and introduces the concept of death very intelligently.

It shows that sharing your thoughts and feelings with someone close to you will lighten your chest and give you mental peace. This is really important as it prevents children from shrinking into a shell in order to deal with their sadness. Richa Jha, the author, has written the book considering all the factors that could affect a child dealing with grief. For all the children out there with siblings, this is the perfect read to make them realize each others’ value and will lead to greater realisation of gratitude in their lives.

Read Boo! When My Sister Died HERE

6 The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Moral: Always tell the truth because a liar won’t be trusted.

This is the popular story of a young shepherd who cried wolf one too many times. For those who don’t know the story – it goes a little something like this.

There was once a shepherd who had no work to do, so, to amuse himself, he cried “Wolf! Wolf!” from atop the hill. Hearing his cries, the villagers came running up only to discover that he was lying – fooling them for his own entertainment. A few days later, he repeated the same trick out of boredom. Again, the villagers came rushing towards him to scare away the wolf. Alas, they were fooled once again! The villagers were brimming with anger – they were furious with the shepherd for causing unnecessary chaos in the village.

Shortly after, an actual wolf appeared. The shepherd cried mercilessly for help as the wolf attacked his sheep but no one bothered helping him out – they assumed that it was another one of his silly pranks. They laughed it off and the shepherd was left alone to deal with the horrific situation at hand. The shepherd kept telling them that he was sorry, and this time it was true – he wasn’t lying. Finally, the villagers decided to take a look and realised that it was true indeed.  This time, the shepherd wasn’t lying indeed. The wolf had killed all the sheep and run away.

7 The Unboy Boy

Moral: Hurtful words cause hurt feelings; Be yourself

Written by Richa Jha and illustrated by Gautam Benegal, The Unboy Boy is a moving account of diversity, gender, and stereotypes revolving around a lovely, gentle, and sensitive boy named Gagan.

Gagan is not your stereotypical boy and that’s because he has a so-called ‘feminine’ side. His interests which include gazing at the view from his bedroom window or looking after ant hills differ from indulging in war stories and imaginary swordplay like the other boys. He is labelled as “Unboy’-ish due to the lack of his participation in typically masculine activities. A label that is used by his brother, his friends, other school children and even his grandfather – all of whom try to turn him into more of a ‘boy’.

‘Unboy’ is just one of the many names he is called, others being  “sissy”, a “chooha” or “little mouse”, “scaredy cat.” His only pillar of support is his mother, who encourages him to stay true to himself. Even though he was being told to act like someone he is not by society, he continues to be himself and takes pride in who he is.

In the book, there are times where he can’t help but feel excluded and targeted but he doesn’t let it get in the way of his kind nature and gentle personality. Despite being alienated by those who were meant to support him and love him, he never feels the need to apologise for his identity because at the end of the day, he knows that in his heart, he is a good human being. However, things change for Gagan when an unexpected incident happens. You’re probably wondering what that is. Well we don’t want to give away any spoilers – you’ll just have to read the book to find out!

Read the Unboy Boy HERE

8 The Crow and the Pitcher

Moral: Where there is a will, there is a way.

When you think of moral stories for kids, this one is sure to come to mind – it’s a classic and one that all of us grew up with.

A thirsty crow flew around a village in search of water. He looked for it near and far, but he failed to find water anywhere. After hours and hours of tirelessly searching, he finally found some water in a pitcher. However, the water level was too low and his beak couldn’t reach the water.

He tried to push the pitcher down, but the vessel was far too heavy for that. The crow was very disappointed. He was contemplating giving up and flying elsewhere in search of water. Just then, he spotted a few pebbles lying around and an idea struck him! He collected a pebble and dropped it into the vessel. Then, another and another. He kept repeating this process until the water had risen to a level from which he could drink the water. The crow drank the water from the brim and flew home happy and satisfied!

9 Against All Odds

This story is an inspirational account of a boy named Kartik who “lives, breathes and dreams football.” His world revolves around the game and even though he is one-armed, Kartik is really good at the game.

When Kartik and his sister, Kavya, move from Kolkata to Rourkela, they’re very upset over moving to a new place and leaving behind their close friends. It was especially frightening for Kartik because he knew that the people at his new school would judge him for having a disability. Unfortunately, he is treated as an outcast, as a freak even though he is just one of them, trying hard to make a friend.

However, what really tears him apart is his football coach refusing to let him be on the football team. The football field was the one place where he felt like the best version of himself. The only place where he felt a true sense of belonging and now, it felt like his home was snatched away from him. Will Kartik be able to beat the odds and convince the coach of his dedication to the game? Trust us this book will help teach your child the value of a good moral of never giving up.

Read Against All Odds HERE

10 The Lion that Sprang to life

Moral: Knowledge without common sense is useless.

This is the story of four learned and knowledgeable friends. Well, the fourth one, Subuddhi, wasn’t exactly well educated or insightful in any sense but he possessed the one quality that his intellectual friends did not: common sense.

A day arrived when three of the friends decided to go looking for jobs in distant towns and villages. They wanted monetary gain for their knowledge. After all, there was no use of being so learned in scriptures and sciences if they were not going to gain anything back from it. The three friends did not wish to take Subuddhi along because of his lack of intellect but since he was an old childhood friend, they decided to invite him too.

The four friends set out on a long journey, moving from one town to another in search of a way to earn money. While passing through a dense forest, they discovered a bunch of bones lying under a tree. They decided that a fine opportunity to display their powers had presented itself.

The first friend used his skills to assemble the bones into a skeleton. When the skeleton was ready, the second friend chanted a mantra, which lead to the formation of flesh and meat on the skeleton. It looked like a lifeless lion. Just as the third friend was about to end the show by bringing the lion back to life, the fourth friend stopped him. Subuddhi knew that once the ferocious lion was brought back to life, it wouldn’t spare them.

However, the third friend ignored his advice, made fun of him and went ahead with something that was clearly a bad idea. Subuddhi quickly climbed up a tree nearby to protect himself as the third friend began to chant, thereby bringing the lion back to life. As predicted by the fourth friend, the lion killed all three of the learned friends while Subuddhi rushed back to the village, alive.

That’s all, folks! We hope you enjoyed these inspiring stories and do tell them to your children! If you’re in the mood for more short moral stories for kids we strongly recommend heading to the GettLitt! library . We have books with entertaining stories that are great for character building and personality development. Let us know about your favourite moral stories growing up in the comments and share them with your children too!

Happy reading!

Read: Indian Writer and Mom Priya Fonseca on Bedtime Stories For Kids With Pictures

Read More: How to Improve Thinking Skills of a Child

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Comments (2)

I love reading these moral stories These stories teach moral lesson and they are short. My kids loved listening to these moral stories. Thanks admin

This was really nice

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Moral Stories In English For Kids

In this article, we have compiled a list of some of the best moral stories in English for kids. These stories come from different cultures, traditions, and time periods, but they all share a common goal: to inspire and educate children through entertaining and meaningful narratives.

10 Moral Stories In English For Kids

Moral story 1. the tortoise and the hare: a lesson in overconfidence.

Once there was a rabbit who always boasted about how fast he could run. One day, a tortoise challenged him to a race. The rabbit laughed and accepted the challenge, thinking he could easily win. During the race, the rabbit got overconfident and took a nap, while the tortoise kept moving slowly and steadily. When the rabbit woke up, he realized that the tortoise had already won the race. The moral of the story is that slow and steady wins the race, and it’s important to not be overconfident and underestimate others.

Moral Story 2. The Consequences of Pranks: A Lesson in Kindness and Consideration

Once, there was a boy who loved to play pranks on his friends. One day, he played a prank on a friend, who got hurt and had to go to the hospital. The boy felt guilty and realized that his actions had consequences. He apologized to his friend and promised never to play pranks again. He learned that it is important to be kind and considerate to others and that actions have consequences. It’s important to think before you act and be aware of how your actions affect others.

Moral Story 3. A Story of Friendship and Compassion:

Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Salma who loved to play with her friends in the park every day. One afternoon, while they were playing, Salma saw an old man sitting alone on a bench, looking very sad.

Salma went up to him and asked, “Are you okay, sir?”

The old man looked at Salma and said, “No, I’m not okay.” “I’m feeling very lonely.”

Salma felt sorry for the old man and decided to cheer him up. She asked him if he would like to play with them. The old man was hesitant at first, but Salma insisted and eventually convinced him to join in.

From that day on, the old man became a regular in their playtime. He would bring snacks and tell them stories about his life. Salma and her friends learned a lot from him, and the old man was very happy to have made new friends.

One day, the old man had to move to a different city. Salma and her friends were very sad to see him go, but the old man promised to come back and visit them soon.

A few months later, the old man returned to the park with a surprise for Salma and her friends. He had brought a box of toys and games for them to play with. The kids were thrilled and thanked him for his kind gesture.

The old man explained, “You all made me feel so happy when I was feeling lonely.” “I wanted to return the favor by bringing you these toys and games to play with.”

The moral of the story is that it’s important to be kind and show compassion towards others, regardless of their age or background.

Moral Story 4. Finding Balance: A Lesson for Khaled

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Khaled who loved playing video games. He would spend hours in front of his computer, lost in virtual worlds.

One day, Khaled’s mom asked him to help with some chores around the house. Khaled, too absorbed in his game, ignored his mom and continued playing.

As time passed, Khaled’s room became messier and messier, and his grades at school began to suffer. His mom tried to talk to him about it, but Khaled just shrugged her off and kept playing his games.

One day, while playing a particularly intense game, Khaled’s computer crashed. He tried everything he could to fix it, but it was no use. His computer was broken, and he had lost all his progress in the game.

Feeling frustrated and upset, Khaled realized that he had been so caught up in his virtual world that he had neglected his real life. He realized that he had been wasting his time on meaningless things and ignoring the people who cared about him.

From that day on, Khaled made a conscious effort to spend less time playing video games and more time helping his mom around the house and studying for school. He learned that life was about balance and that it was important to prioritize the things that really mattered.

The moral of the story is that it’s important to find a balance between your hobbies and responsibilities and not let your interests get in the way of taking care of yourself and the people around you.

Moral Story 5. Sifat and the Sunflower Seeds | Moral Stories In English

Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Sifat. Sifat was always impatient and could never wait for anything. He would get bored easily and always want something new and exciting to do.

One day, Sifat’s mother gave him some sunflower seeds and a small pot to grow them in. She told him that he needed to take care of them every day and be patient as they grew.

Sifat was excited at first, but after a few days of waiting, he became bored and impatient. He started to water the seeds more than necessary and even tried to dig them up to see if they were growing.

Despite his impatience, Sifat continued to care for the seeds every day. He watered them, gave them sunlight, and made sure they had enough space to grow.

Eventually, the seeds began to sprout, and little green shoots appeared. Sifat was thrilled, and he continued to care for the plants every day.

As time passed, the shoots grew into beautiful sunflowers, and Sifat was overjoyed. He learned that good things come to those who are patient and that hard work and dedication pay off in the end.

The moral of the story is that patience is a virtue and that good things come to those who are willing to wait and work hard for them.

Moral Story 6. The Power of Honesty and Friendship: Tom and John’s Story

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Tom. He had a best friend named John who was always there for him, no matter what.

One day, Tom and John were walking home from school when they saw a wallet lying on the ground. Tom picked it up and opened it to see if he could find any identification. Inside the wallet, he found a lot of money.

Tom was tempted to keep the money for himself, but John reminded him that it was not the right thing to do. They both decided to take the wallet to the police station and turn it in.

When they reached the police station, they explained what had happened to the officer at the desk. The officer was impressed by their honesty and integrity and thanked them for doing the right thing.

A few days later, Tom and John received a letter in the mail. It was from the owner of the wallet, who had been searching for it for days. In the letter, he thanked them for returning his wallet and rewarded them with a small sum of money.

Tom and John were happy to have done the right thing, and they realized that their friendship was stronger because of it. They learned that being honest and doing the right thing is always the best choice, even if it is not the easiest task.

Moral Story 7. The Lazy Boy who Learned Responsibility

Once upon a time, there was a young boy named Tom. Tom was very lazy and never liked to do any work. He would spend all his time playing video games or watching TV. His parents tried to get him to do his homework and help around the house, but he always made excuses and avoided work.

One day, Tom’s parents decided to teach him a valuable lesson. They asked him to go to the nearby store to buy some groceries. Tom was excited as he thought it would be a break from his usual routine.

However, when he got to the store, he realized he had forgotten his wallet. He was embarrassed and didn’t know what to do. A kind stranger noticed Tom’s distress and offered to pay for the groceries.

Tom was grateful but felt ashamed that he hadn’t been responsible enough to bring his own money. He realized that he needed to start taking responsibility for his actions and not rely on others to fix his mistakes.

From that day forward, Tom started to take his studies seriously and began helping his parents around the house. He realized that being responsible and reliable would make him a better person.

The moral of the story is that responsibility is an essential trait that everyone should possess. It helps us become better individuals and leads to success in life.

Moral Story 8. The Lazy Boy and the Garden

Once upon a time, there was a young boy named Jack. Jack was a kind and caring boy, but he was also very lazy. He never liked to do his homework or help his parents with chores.

One day, Jack’s parents decided to teach him a lesson. They gave him a small garden plot and told him to plant some vegetables. Jack was not interested, but his parents insisted, so he reluctantly started to plant.

At first, Jack did the bare minimum, and the vegetables didn’t grow very well. But as he started to care for them more, he began to see some progress. He watered them regularly and even pulled out weeds.

Soon, the garden was flourishing with vegetables, and Jack was proud of what he had accomplished. He had learned the value of hard work and how it can pay off in the end.

The moral of the story is that hard work pays off. If you put in the effort and work toward your goals, you can achieve great things.

Moral Story 9. The Little Bird and the Kind-hearted Boy | 10 Moral Stories In English For Kids

Once upon a time, there was a young boy named Jack who loved to play outside. He would spend hours exploring the woods and fields near his house, always eager to see what new adventures awaited him.

One day, as he was wandering through the woods, Jack came across a small bird lying on the ground. It was injured and unable to fly, and Jack could see that it was in a lot of pain.

Without hesitation, Jack scooped up the bird and took it back to his house. He spent the next few days nursing the bird back to health, giving it food and water and keeping it warm and comfortable.

Eventually, the bird recovered and was able to fly again. But instead of flying away, it perched on Jack’s shoulder, chirping happily and showing its gratitude for all that Jack had done for it.

From that day forward, the bird became Jack’s loyal companion. It would follow him everywhere he went, and whenever Jack was feeling sad or lonely, the bird would sing a beautiful song to cheer him up.

Jack realized that by helping the little bird, he had made a true friend for life. He learned that kindness and compassion are important qualities to have and that even the smallest act of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s life.

The moral of the story is that by showing kindness and compassion to others, we can make true friends and find happiness in unexpected places.

Moral Story 10. Umar’s Adventure: Finding Bravery and Treasure in the Unknown | 10 Moral Stories In English For Kids

Once upon a time, there was a young boy named Umar who loved exploring and going on adventures. One day, he decided to take a hike in the nearby forest.

As he was hiking, Umar came across a small stream. He followed the stream for a while until he stumbled upon a cave. Excited by his discovery, Umar decided to explore the cave.

As he made his way through the dark and narrow cave, he suddenly slipped and fell into a hole. He tumbled down and landed on a pile of rocks. Umar was hurt and scared, but he knew he needed to find a way out.

As he looked around, he noticed a faint light coming from one of the tunnels. He followed the light and soon found himself in a large room with a small door. Umar tried to open the door, but it was locked.

He searched the room and found a small key hidden behind a rock. He used the key to unlock the door and discovered a treasure chest filled with gold coins and precious gems.

Umar was overjoyed and knew that the treasure would help his family and friends. He grabbed as much as he could carry and made his way back to the entrance of the cave.

As he emerged from the cave, Umar realized that he had learned an important lesson. Sometimes, the greatest adventures come from taking risks and exploring the unknown. And while the treasure was a wonderful surprise, the real treasure was the bravery and determination he had found within himself.

The moral of the story is that it’s important to be brave and take risks in life. You never know what treasures you may find along the way.

Expert Previews Team

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