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.

Ravina Sewani

One fine morning two friends set out on a boating trip. They sailed the boat in the calm sea and talked merrily. Soon they were far away from the shore.All of a sudden, gusty winds started blowing. The sea became rough. The boat tossed up and down in the stormy sea.Luckily, the two friends saw a plank floating on the sea. So they jumped into the sea and caught it. But the plank was too small to bear the weight of two.“You are a married man. You must live for your wife and children. I am single and so you must take the plank and go,” said one friend to the other.“But you have your mother and sister. Who will take care of them?” argued the married man.“Indeed you!” said the young man and let off the plank. He soon drowned in the sea.After the storm was over, the married friend reached home safely. He took care of his friend’s mother and sister. Moral:True friends share each other’s joys as well as sorrows.

This is a classic story from Vikas books.This is a story of sea.Moral(s) of the story: friendship

The Two Friends

Yesha Desai

There was a little boy named Jerry regularly went to the beach with his family. He loved the sea and would often spend hours swimming and diving with his father.One time Jerry saw a small yellow fish in one of the shallow lagoons. It was almost washed up to the edge and had other fish attacking it.Jerry decided that he wanted to rescue the fish.He quickly rushed off to get a container and filled it with water before slowly picking up the fish and rescuing it. He brought the fish home where it was safe.He was very proud of him and the fish was grateful for his help as the boy nursed it to health. He loved his fish very much and always wanted to protect it.However, as much as the fish loved Jerry back, it wanted to go back home — to its own friends and family.Maybe it was in Jerry’s desire to always keep his fish around him that he ignored the way his fish became sadder day by day.One day when Jerry came back from school, the fish was not moving at all and dread filled his heart. He immediately rushed to get medical help.To his relief, his fish was just fine but the doctor said, “ It is lonely and that’s why it was sad.”Jerry frowned, “Lonely? How? I always spend time with it.”The doctor smiled, “Yes, you do and it is amazing how much can you take care of it but your fish misses its home.”The boy had tears in his eyes but he understood. That night he whispered an apology to his fish and decided to set it free the next day. The next morning he set the fish free and cried thinking he would never see it again.The fish was very happy to be home and the fish’s family was relieved to have it back home too.But unlike what Jerry had expected, the fish remembered him and waited for him to come swim in the sea everyday.There they would play together and both of them were happy. Moral:We need to set free what we love even if we do not want to.

This is a doctor, fish ans sea.Moral(s) of the story: love and selfishness

The lonely fish

There once was a Queen who held an art competition in her Kingdom. The painting depicting the best representation of peace would win.Many artists from far away kingdoms came to participate and many beautiful paintings were created.One such painting was of a calm river with farms and mountains in the background. The view was serene and calm. Everyone thought that this painting would win as it was perfect.However, when the winner was announced, everyone was shocked as a painting with harsh waves and lightning eating up the sky was chosen as the winner.Everyone thought that this was a mistake. However, once a closer look was given to the picture, a small boat was visible, calm despite the weather depicted in the painting.In the midst of angry and unfavorable surroundings, small raft was trying to prosper. This was peace. It was not universal and was not easily earned either. Moral:Peace is not always just calm surroundings, but the ability to hold your ground and thrive despite the chaos.

This is a story of boat, painting and sea.Moral(s) of the story: peace

The Queen’s competition

Shina Utavani

Once upon a time, there was a palace at the bottom of the sea. In the palace, there lived the Sea King. The king had six mermaid daughters. Out of the six daughters, five of them were very happy. The sixth one, the youngest was very sad and depressed. She would not even smile.Little mermaid loved the surface world. She liked the world above the sea. She would often swim up to see the sky and green trees of the distant land. She liked the world above the sea. She was sad because she was living in the sea and she wanted to experience the world above the sea. The fish, shells, stones of the sea failed to satisfy her. She did not even like to hear stories from her father.The little mermaid wanted to explore the world above the sea. She secretly left her home and came to the surface. When she left, it was a stormy night and the waves crashed wildly against the rocks. There was lightning in the sky and it had hit a ship and the ship rolled in the sea. The man who was inside the ship fell in the sea and was drowning. He was asking for help. The little mermaid immediately rescued him and took him to the shore. She gently rested him against the rocks. Looking at the young man, little mermaid fell in love with him. Suddenly a girl came towards them. Seeing her, little mermaid left for the sea palace.The girl came near the young man and he opened his eyes. He thought that she had rescued him. The girl was beautiful and charming. The young man thanked her thinking she had saved him. The beautiful girl was also a princess.Back in the sea palace, the little mermaid always thought about the young prince. She once visited the witches of the Seashore and asked for a wish. The little mermaid wanted to walk and dance on the land. The witch agreed to grant her wish on one condition. She will be able to walk and dance but not talk and sing. She will not get the power of speech. The mermaid was excited to go on the land and agreed. She was soon transformed.The mermaid reached the royal palace hoping that the prince would remember her. The palace was having a grand party that night. The palace guards did not allow her to enter the palace but when they saw her dance, they allowed her to go inside the palace. The mermaid entered the palace and her eyes were searching for the prince. She saw the prince sitting on the throne. She was happy to see the prince and wished the prince would remember her. But the mermaid saw the beautiful girl with lovely hair sitting beside the prince. When the prince saw the mermaid, he did not recognize her. The little mermaid wanted to tell the prince but she had lost her power of speech.The King announced the princess sitting next to the prince as the future bride of the kingdom. The mermaid after hearing this was in tears. She was heartbroken and sad.It is believed that the sad mermaid still visits the place where she first saw the prince.

This is a story of land, mermaid, palace, prince, princess and sea.

The Little Mermaid

Ollie is a five year old girl who lives by the sea in a small fishing village. She loves the ocean with her whole heart and she loves the animals in it, even more.Everyday she would go fishing with her father and meet new fish. The dolphins adored her, the sharks and whales loved her and the octopuses always wanted to hug her.In short, everybody loved it when Ollie came to meet them and Ollie was just as happy to do the same.However, after some time she noticed that not enough animals came to meet her. The seahorses rarely showed up with their children, the whales were very few in numbers, the sharks would not be as friendly. Gradually, the fish showed up in such little numbers that even her father was worried.Ollie thought that they did not visit her because she did something wrong. One day she sat in a small cove and frowned, wondering what went wrong.That was when a turtle washed up to the shore. By the faint whining, Ollie immediately knew that the animal was in pain. She ran to the turtle and found that he was covered in trash, he was trapped.She immediately took the plastic from his face, untangled whatever was stuck to his legs and helped him breathe. Finally, when the turtle was safe, she breathed a sigh of relief. The turtle thanked her and smiled at her but it was a sad smile.She slowly asked the turtle what happened and he sighed, “The ocean is not safe for us anymore, especially not near the shore. There is human waste everywhere.” “Is that why you all don’t come to visit me anymore?” asked Ollie worried.The turtle nodded, “We can barely swim near the shore. There is plastic and plastic. The pollution kills us. I would have died today if it were not for your help.”Ollie had tears in her eyes thinking about the ocean’s residents’ misery and so she promised the turtle, “I will fix it. Or at least I will try. I miss you all, my friends and you deserve to be safe in your own home.”The turtle smiled sadly again before Ollie released him into the sea, “Thank you Ollie. We will surely visit you when it is safe for us. We miss you too.” Ollie waved him away and hoped that he stayed safe. Moral:Marine pollution makes it very hard for the inhabitants of the ocean to live. We must keep the ocean clean.

This is a story of ocean, sea and turtle.

The sad turtle

A long time ago, a couple of lapwings used to live on the seashore. When it was time for the female lapwing to lay her eggs, she said to her husband, “Dear, I do not want to lay eggs here on the shore. I am scared that the sea will eat them up. Let us go to some lake or pond where our eggs can be safe.” “Don’t be silly,” replied the male lapwing. “You are worrying unnecessarily. All of our ancestors have laid eggs here. Nothing will happen. I will teach the sea a lesson if he dares to eat our eggs.” So, the female lapwing laid her eggs on the seashore. Soon after, she went away in search of food, leaving the eggs there. When she came back, she could not find the eggs anywhere. She was very sad at the loss of her eggs and began to weep bitterly. When she told her husband about it, he was filled with rage. He called a meeting of all the birds and told them about the incident. He told them about how the sea was being cruel and unjust and misusing his power. “We must get together and fight against this injustice.” he said. “Today, the sea has eaten up our eggs. Tomorrow, the same thing could happen with your eggs too.”The other birds understood the seriousness of the situation. Everyone was very upset over the incident. They decided to report the matter to their king, the eagle and requested him to grant them justice. The eagle was infuriated on hearing about the incident. He said, “I will not tolerate such injustice towards my subjects. I will see to it myself that the sea gets punished for his evil deed. I will suck up all his water and leave him completely dry.”This outcry of the birds was heard by Lord Vishnu in the heaven and he thought that he must intervene. He sent his messenger to the eagle with the message that the eagle should wait and that he would take care of the matter himself.So, Lord Vishnu appeared before the sea and ordered him to return the lapwings’ eggs at once or he would have to give up his existence forever. The sea was frightened. He returned the lapwings’ eggs at once and promised that he would never eat any birds’ eggs from the seashore ever again. In this way, the birds ensured safety for their eggs. ﻿Moral:Never tolerate injustice around you. Always raise your voice against it even if it affects you or someone else.

This is a classic story from panchtantra.This is a story of eagle, lapwing and sea.Moral(s) of the story: justice

The lapwings and the sea

Raj was a very impatient child.He could barely focus at one task before launching himself towards another.One day, while watching a television show, he decided that he wanted to be a wrestler. So he told his grandfather, “I want to become a wrestler! What should I do?”His grandfather took him to a teacher. The teacher trained Raj in different wrestling moves. And even though the little boy was very enthusiastic, he could do hardly one thing before jumping onto another. Thus, he never properly practised his moves.Days passed yet Raj did not get better at his sport and he frowned at his grandfather, “I am not getting stronger. What will I do now?”His grandfather took him on a walk by the beach and pointed to the cliffs. “Do you know Raj, that the water breaks down these rocks?”Raj’s eyes widened, “Really? But these rocks are so big? How can the sea break them down?”His grandfather smiled and watched as Raj lightly splashed around in the water, “It takes many years, it does not happen overnight. Just like you cannot become a wrestler overnight. You need to be disciplined in your work and be patient. Then you will one day become capable enough to achieve your goals.” Moral:You need to be disciplined and hardworking to achieve your goal.

This is a story of grandfather, grandmother, rock, sea and water.Moral(s) of the story: discipline and hard work

sea 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 Two Friends

The lonely fish

The Queen’s competition

The Little Mermaid

The sad turtle

The lapwings and the sea

The fruits of discipline

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