StoriesShort stories for children, with morals
22 original stories to read in two to four minutes: bedtime stories, moral stories, animal stories and funny ones, in English and Hindi. Each has a moral and three questions to talk about.
22 stories
- The Crooked PotIn the village of Kumharpur lived a potter named Dhanna. Every morning his wheel hummed, and round, even pots rose under his fingers like magic.Moral stories · Ages 5 to 9 · 2 min
- The Mango Seed That Could Not WaitArjun ate the sweetest mango of the summer and decided, right there, to grow a mango tree. He pushed the seed into the soil behind the house, poured a mug of...Moral stories · Ages 5 to 9 · 2 min
- Meenu and the Extra Ten RupeesMakar Sankranti was two days away, and Meenu had saved thirty rupees for a kite. At Rahim Chacha's stall she chose a red one with a long yellow tail. It cost...Moral stories · Ages 6 to 10 · 2 min
- The Elephant Who Was Afraid of PuddlesGajju was the biggest calf in the herd. He could push over a small tree. He could carry three monkeys on his back. But Gajju had a secret: he was afraid of puddles.Animal stories · Ages 4 to 8 · 3 min
- The Squirrel's Winter StoreChiku the squirrel lived in a hollow of an old neem tree. All autumn he gathered nuts and seeds. He counted them every night: forty groundnuts, twelve walnuts...Animal stories · Ages 4 to 8 · 2 min
- The Tortoise and the Flooded RoadDheeru the tortoise was the slowest animal in the mango grove. The rabbits zipped past him. The squirrels ran circles around him. "Hurry up, Dheeru!" everyone...Animal stories · Ages 4 to 8 · 2 min
- The Goat Who Ate the HomeworkBittu did not like homework. Luckily, Bittu had a goat. Her name was Laali, and she was very useful.Funny stories · Ages 6 to 10 · 2 min
- The Lantern at the Little StationAt the edge of the hills there was a railway station so small that it had only one bench, one bell and one lantern.Bedtime stories · Ages 3 to 7 · 2 min
- The Moon's BlanketOne cold night the Moon looked down at the village of Chhota Gaon and saw that everybody was awake.Bedtime stories · Ages 3 to 6 · 2 min
- The Little Lamp That Wanted to Be a StarOn Diwali night a row of clay lamps stood on the wall of an old house. The smallest lamp was at the very end, next to the doorstep.Bedtime stories · Ages 4 to 8 · 2 min
- Grandmother's QuiltAnu's grandmother had a quilt that was older than Anu's mother. It was made of a hundred patches, and no two were the same.Bedtime stories · Ages 4 to 8 · 2 min
- The Day the Rooster OversleptIn the village of Sonpur lived a rooster named Sardar. Every morning at five he flew up to the roof of the milk shed and crowed: "KUKDOO-KOOO!"Funny stories · Ages 5 to 9 · 2 min
- The Parrot Who Said Too MuchMitthu the parrot lived in the Sharma family's verandah, and he could repeat anything. He could do the pressure cooker. He could do the doorbell so well that...Funny stories · Ages 5 to 9 · 2 min
- The Chai Seller's Extra CupOutside the bus stand Bhola Kaka sold tea from a blue cart. Every morning he lined up his glasses, and every morning he poured one extra cup and set it aside...Stories about kindness · Ages 6 to 10 · 2 min
- The Sparrow Who Counted CloudsChidi the sparrow could not sleep.Bedtime stories · Ages 3 to 6 · 2 min
- The Tap That DrippedDrip. Drip. Drip.Stories about kindness · Ages 6 to 10 · 2 min
- चींटी और गुड़ की डलीएक रसोई के कोने में चिन्नी नाम की चींटी रहती थी। एक दिन उसे फ़र्श पर गुड़ की एक बड़ी-सी डली मिली। इतनी बड़ी कि चिन्नी की आँखें चमक उठीं।Moral stories · Ages 4 to 8 · 2 min · हिंदी
- नन्ही बूँदएक काले बादल में एक नन्ही-सी बूँद रहती थी। नीचे धरती सूखी पड़ी थी। खेतों में दरारें थीं और पेड़ों के पत्ते धूल से भरे थे।Moral stories · Ages 4 to 8 · 2 min · हिंदी
- रोहन की गुल्लकरोहन के पास मिट्टी की एक गुल्लक थी। पूरे साल उसने उसमें सिक्के डाले थे: दादी के दिए हुए, मेले से बचे हुए, और वे पाँच रुपये जो उसे अख़बार की रद्दी बेचने पर मिले थे।Stories about kindness · Ages 6 to 10 · 2 min · हिंदी
- चाँद की रोटीरात हो गई थी, पर मुन्नी को नींद नहीं आ रही थी।Bedtime stories · Ages 3 to 6 · 2 min · हिंदी
- दादा जी की साइकिलकबीर के दादा जी के पास एक पुरानी साइकिल थी। काली, भारी, और उसकी घंटी "ट्रिंग" की जगह "खर्र" बोलती थी।Moral stories · Ages 6 to 10 · 2 min · हिंदी
- गौरैया का घोंसलागर्मी शुरू हो गई थी। पापा ने कहा, "आज बरामदे का पंखा साफ़ करके चला देते हैं।"Stories about kindness · Ages 4 to 8 · 2 min · हिंदी
Made for reading aloud
These stories use short sentences and words a young child knows. Sounds are repeated, the settings are familiar (a railway station, a tea cart, a school courtyard) and nothing frightening happens. If you are new to storytelling, read how to tell a bedtime story.
Questions people ask
Are these stories original?
Yes. Every story was written for this site. They are new stories, not retellings of Panchatantra, Aesop or any other collection.
How long are the stories?
Each story takes two to four minutes to read aloud, which suits bedtime and short attention spans. The reading time is shown on every story.
What does "Read aloud" do?
It asks your phone or computer to read the story in its own built-in voice, one paragraph at a time, and highlights the paragraph being read. Tap the button again to stop.
Can I share a story in my family group?
Yes. Tap "Send on WhatsApp" under a story to send its title, its moral and a link. Teachers may read the stories in class and print them for their students.