StoriesStories about kindness for children
Stories about ordinary people and children who do one small, kind thing: an extra cup of tea, a pair of slippers for a friend, a fan left switched off for a nesting bird. They show that kindness does not need money or permission, only attention.
- 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 Tap That DrippedDrip. Drip. Drip.Stories about kindness · Ages 6 to 10 · 2 min
- 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
- 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
Small kindnesses, not grand ones
The people in these stories are not heroes. A tea seller pours one extra cup. A boy empties his piggy bank for a friend's slippers. A family leaves a fan switched off because a sparrow has nested on it. We chose small acts on purpose, because a child cannot rescue a village but can share a tiffin, wait for a slower friend or turn off a dripping tap. A story should leave a child thinking, "I could do that."
Talking about the story
After reading, do not ask, "What is the moral?" Ask, "Who noticed something in this story?" Kindness begins with noticing: that someone is cold, alone, embarrassed or tired. Then ask what it cost the character, such as a few rupees, a little comfort or some time, and whether it was worth it. Children are honest about costs, and it is good for them to see that kindness is a choice, not a rule.
From story to habit
- One kind thing a day. At dinner or at bedtime, ask each person in the family to name one kind thing they did or saw that day.
- Notice the child's own kindness aloud. "I saw you let your sister go first" does more than any story.
- Read the story again after a quarrel, when everyone is calm, and let it say what you would otherwise have to.
Two of the Hindi stories, रोहन की गुल्लक and गौरैया का घोंसला, are also about kindness.