Do you remember the stories that you read as a child? Moral stories can needn’t be serious, but they can be funny at the same time help your child learn something. We have compiled a list of 07 short moral stories that are inspirational, from India, and from around the world. <h3>1. The Boy Who Cried, Wolf</h3><img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/the_boy_who_cried%2C_wolf.webp_image_1638188646554.webp" width="359">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 save the sheep.When they saw the grinning boy and realised 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.Moral of the story: Don’t lie or engage in foolish pranks, for no one will believe a liar even when he is telling the truth! <h3>2. The Golden Touch Of Midas</h3><img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/the_golden_touch_of_midas.jpg_image_1638188804006.jpg" width="365">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.Moral of the story: Stay content and grateful for what you have. Greed will not get you anywhere. <h3>3. The Foolish Thief</h3><img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/the_foolish_thief.jpg_image_1638188856227.jpg" width="362">Once, a wealthy merchant came to King Akbar’s court to seek help from Birbal. He suspected that one of his servants had robbed him.On hearing this, Birbal thought of a clever plan and summoned the merchant’s servants.He gave each servant a stick of the same length. He told them that the thief’s stick would grow two inches by the next day.The next day, Birbal summoned the servants again. He noticed that a servant’s stick was two inches shorter than the others.He knew who the thief was.The foolish thief had cut the stick shorter by two inches as he thought it would grow two inches. Thus, proving his guilt.Moral of the story: Truth and justice will always prevail. <h3>4. Two Frogs With The Same Problem</h3><img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/two_frogs_with_the_same_problem.png_image_1638188962564.png" width="346">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!Moral of the story: People’s opinion of you will affect you, only if you believe it to be so. It’s better to believe in yourself. <h3>5. The Milkmaid and Her Pail</h3><img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/the_milkmaid_and_her_pail.jpg_image_1638189037353.jpg" width="348">There was once a milkmaid named Patty.She milked her cow and carried the two pails of milk she fetched on a stick and set out to sell the milk at the market.As she was walking to the market, she began to daydream about what she would do with the money she fo for the milk.She thought of buying a hen and selling its eggs and she planned on becoming wealthy.She dreamt of buying a cake, a basket of strawberries, a fancy dress, and even a new house with the money she would make selling the eggs and the milk!In her excitement, she forgot about the pails she was carrying and began to skip.Suddenly, she realised that the milk was spilling down and when she checked her pails, they were empty.Moral of the story: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch! It is important to focus on the process of achieving success and not just success alone. <h3>6. The Elephant Circus</h3><img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/elepahnt_circus.jpg_image_1638189224771.jpg" width="361">Once upon a time in a circus, five elephants 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.Moral of the story: Don’t give in to the limitations of society. Believe that you can achieve everything you want to!<h3> </h3>7. The Elephants And The Mice<img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/1_xvfat_v8xumqnkx7-3jcka.png_image_1638189285226.png" width="350">In an earthquake-hit village abandoned by humans, a colony of mice lived. Near the village was a lake, which was used by a herd of elephants.The elephants would have to cross the village to go to the lake. Thus, one day, as they walked through, they trampled a lot of mice.The leader of the mice met with the elephants and requested them to take a different route to the lake. He promised them that their favour would be returned in the time of their need.The elephants laughed. How could such small mice help these large elephants in any way? But then, they agreed to take a different route.Not so long after, the mice heard that hunters had caught the herd of elephants and were tied in nets.Immediately, they rush to rescue the elephants. They gnawed through the nets and ropes with their sharp teeth.The leader of the elephants repeatedly thanked the mice for their help!Moral of the story: A friend in need is a friend indeed. Make sure you help your friends out whenever they need it. They should always be able to count on you. That’s all folks!We hope children like these short yet interesting stories with morals that we have read growing up!There are more and more stories with morals on <a href="https://www.beeparenting.com/s/moral-stories" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bee Stories</a>.

Short stories with moral values will teach your children some important lessons which they will remember always.

07 Must Read Short Moral Stories For Children

Short stories with moral values will teach your children some important lessons which they will remember always.

Yesha Desai

Once, there was a careless clown. He always ended up losing his things and breaking stuff.Everyone said that he should be more responsible about his things and be careful when he uses other people’s stuff.One day while performing, his jacket tore up a little bit because he carelessly bumped into something. The clown did not pay it much heed and just stitched it up loosely instead of properly fixing it.Soon, there was a very important performance. The town’s mayor and his family were going to be watching the show. The clown was nervous and wanted to impress the mayor.During the performance, the clown was perfect. He made people laugh and was very proud of that.But then during the final event, his jacket tore entirely. Everyone laughed but this time it was not because of the clown’s talent. The clown was very embarrassed and wished that he had fixed his jacket properly.Since then the clown decided to properly take care of his things and be responsible. Moral:Being talented is not the only thing that matters. Being responsible and taking care of the belongings can help us go the long way.

This is a story of clown.Moral(s) of the story: responsibility

The clown learns responsibility

Ajay is the only child of rich parents who have worked very hard to get where they are but growing up in the lap of luxury, he barely understands the struggles.He heavily relied on the house help to get his daily chores done. He had a maid who would clean his room, to fold his clothes, to wash his clothes, to make his bed. He had a chef who would cook food for him and serve his food. He had a driver who would drive him everywhere, even if it was just nearby, so he did not have to walk or use his cycle.In short he rarely did any work on his own.More than that, he seemed to not respect the house help either. He often degraded the trash collector, who collected trash from his house and helped in keeping the city clean, as he thought that he was more superior than the worker.This really bothered his parents because they did not want Ajay to grow up to be a brat.So one evening her mother asked every worker to take a few days of paid leave. When Ajay woke up in the morning, he asked for someone to make his bed but no one came.He asked for someone to bring his clothes, but no one came. He asked for someone to pack his lunch but no one came to help him do this either. He asked his mother, “Ma? Where is everyone? I am getting late for school.” His mother replied, “I have sent them home for a few days. You will have to do your chores by yourself now. Come on, get to it.”Ajay frowned but did not say anything. That day, he packed the wrong books, he forgot his tie, his bed was unmade. He had tried to do all his chores but he realised that he was truly lost and would not survive without help.Ajay realised that he should do his own work by himself instead of handing it off to others otherwise he would never learn. Moral:We must not be totally dependent on others for our tasks and learn to do it ourselves.

This is a story of chef, driver, house help, maid, parent and trash collector.Moral(s) of the story: gratitude and responsibility

Ajay’s lesson

One day, a doctor went to a police station complaining about robbers in his village. The police inspector listened to his worries. No actual robbery had happened to the doctor but he was worried that he would be robbed as he regularly travelled alone late at night to treat patients in the district. The policeman told him that he will investigate. The policeman told the doctor not to worry and continue his life. The doctor was not satisfied with the policeman’s response but agreed with him nonetheless. Finally, one day, the doctor got robbed. The doctor was a rather influential person in the village so a lot of people gathered. The policeman was there too. The policeman told the people around him, “The doctor should have been more careful and protected his assets better. He should not have travelled alone so late at night.” One of the relatives of the doctor said, “Sir, your advice is of no use now!” The policeman realised that he was a little too late and should have acted responsibly in the first place. Moral:A stitch in time saves nine. It is better to address the problem immediately than to wait until it gets worse.

This is a story of a policeman and a doctor.Moral(s) of the story: responsibility

A little too late

Emperor Akbar was passionate about hunting. One day, Akbar was on his hunting trip, when he heard two owls hooting in a shrill voice on the trees.Akbar asked Birbal, “Birbal, look at those two owls! They are creating such a ruckus. Can you tell me what they are quarreling about?”Birbal said, “Huzoor, I can tell you but I fear that you may not be happy to know.Akbar said, “Tell me Birbal, I really want to know what these birds are discussing.”Birbal said, “They are arguing over the dowry amount. The first owl is the groom’s father and the second one is the bride’s father. The groom’s father is adamant on taking 40 jungles in dowry, with no animals at all.The bride’s father is saying that he can arrange only 20 jungles at the moment.”In the meantime one owl hooted once more very loudly. Akbar asked Birbal, “I see! Tell me now what is he saying?”Birbal said, “He is the bride’s father. He is requesting the groom’s father to give him just six months more, and then he would certainly give him 40 jungles without animals.”Akbar said, “Really Birbal? How does he propose to do that?”Birbal said in a grim tone, “Jahanpanah, the bride’s father says that he has come to know from reliable sources that if Emperor Akbar’s hunting sprees continue at this pace, soon all the jungles would be devoid of animals and then he would easily be able to fulfill the demand of the groom’s father.”Emperor Akbar understood the harmful consequences of his hobby on the environment and quit hunting from that day onwards.This is how Birbal addressed Akbar’s conscience and made him realize his folly. Moral:We must understand the environmental consequences of our actions and try to make the Earth a better place.

This is a classic story from Akbar Birbal.Moral(s) of the story: health, hygiene and responsibility

Hunting and dowry

Ravina Sewani

Long ago, in a small village there lived an old woman who owned a black baby elephant. The children in the village called her Granny, and they had nicknamed the elephant as ‘Granny’s Blackie.’Granny’s Blackie was a very friendly elephant and used to give joy rides to all the children. The children also loved him dearly and shared their food with him. The old woman used to do stitching and tailoring work while Blackie used to enjoy the whole day with the children. Some years happily went past like this.One day Blackie wanted granny to accompany him to the woods. The old lady declined the offer, saying, “My dear, I cannot walk that far now. My health is deteriorating and I am no longer as active and energetic as I used to be some time back.” Blackie realized that Granny was growing feeble and older.He thought to himself, “This kind woman has looked after me for so many years. Now, it is my turn to repay the debt. I must find some work and start earning money for her.”Blackie set out to find some work for himself. When he was walking along the river’s bank, he saw a man who was looking troubled. He had some heavily loaded bullock carts standing in the middle of a river and his bullocks were finding it difficult to lug them. When he saw Blackie, he asked him to help his bullocks in carrying out the carts out of water. He promised to pay two silver coins for each cart that Blackie pulled out of the water.Blackie gladly agreed to help. He went into the river, and drew one cart after another across to the bank of the river. After completing his job, he went to take his money from the man. But, he saw that the dishonest man had given him only half the money he had promised.Blackie was really upset with the man’s dishonesty. He went and stood in the road and did not let the carts go past him. The man tried to get Blackie out of his way, but he did not budge an inch from his place. The man soon understood what the elephant wanted. He went back and gave Blackie the other half of the sum, as promised. He apologised to Blackie and put all the silver coins in the bag that Blackie was carrying around his neck.Blackie happily went home to give his first earning to his dear Granny. Blackie had been out since the morning, so Granny was getting worried for him and was waiting for him to return at the doorstep. When she saw Blackie coming back, she was overjoyed and asked him where he had been. Blackie narrated the entire story to her and put the bag full of silver coins in her hand. Granny was very proud of her Blackie! Moral:&nbsp;When you learn, teach. When you get, give. A life lived with a heart which is ready to give back, is a life full of satisfaction.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

This is story of elephant, grandmother and Jataka tales.Moral(s) of the story: gratitude and responsibility

responsibility stories

Kids moral stories help in improving their imagination & relate to real-world life. Here are age-specific bedtime stories for children by renowned storytellers.

The clown learns responsibility

Ajay’s lesson

A little too late

Hunting and dowry

Granny’s Blackie

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