Ravina Sewani

Once, a weaver named Somilaka lived in a town. He was a very good weaver. The cloth he wove was fine, soft and beautiful. Even the king praised his work. In spite of this, Somilaka somehow could never earn much money. The other weavers who were not very good at their job were also richer than Somilaka. This depressed Somilaka very much. He thought of trying his luck in another town, but even there he did not meet with much success. In the end, Somilaka was so frustrated that he decided to commit suicide. He made a noose out of a rope and put it around his neck, tying the other end of the rope to a tall tree. He was just about to hang himself when he heard a loud voice coming from heaven, “Wait, don’t commit suicide. I am God. I am pleased with your talent and good work so I have decided to grant you a wish. Tell me what you want.”Somilaka was astonished. He said, “I want wealth.”God replied, “But you don’t need more wealth than what is required to keep you clothed and fed. What will you do with more wealth?”Somilaka answered, “I still want more wealth. A wealthy man is respected by everyone, even if he does not spend his wealth.”God said, “Alright. I will grant your wish. But first, you must go to your native village and visit two traders who live there —‘Secret Wealth’ and ‘Useful Wealth.’Somilaka did as he was told. First, he decided to meet ‘Secret Wealth.’Somilaka paid a visit to the house of ‘Secret Wealth.’ ‘Secret Wealth’ did not give him a cordial welcome, instead he seemed annoyed. His wife served food to Somilaka in a broken plate and banged a glass of water next to him on the floor. Somilaka did not say anything. He just thanked ‘Secret Wealth’ and his family and left.Next, he went to visit the other trader—‘Useful Wealth.’ ‘Useful Wealth was very happy to see Somilaka and welcomed him warmly into the house. All his family members were also very cordial to Somilaka. They served him delicious food and made comfortable arrangements for him to spend the night.Next morning, Somilaka saw the king’s servants bringing money for ‘Useful Wealth.’ He pondered over the contrast between the two traders. He thought, “This man is not as wealthy as ‘Secret Wealth,’ still he enjoys his wealth and lives more comfortably than ‘Secret Wealth.”Somilaka had understood the fact that wealth must not be merely hoarded; it should be used properly. When necessary, it should also be donated.Somilaka’s wish for wealth was granted by God and he enjoyed his wealth to the fullest, using it and also sharing it, just like ‘Useful Wealth.’ Moral:Wealth does not decide the respect of any individual. Whatever wealth you have, use it wisely and for good.

This is a classic story from panchtantra.Moral(s) of the story: kindness

Somilaka the weaver

Once upon a time in a little house on the edge of the woods a girl called Goldilocks lived with her parents. One morning she woke up as the sun was streaming through her window; thinking it was time for school, she leapt out of bed.Goldilocks pestered her mother. Her mother was busy “It’s far too early for school; don’t get fussy. Why don’t you go out for a walk? You can pick some blackberries on the way back so we can make a pie for dinner tonight” she suggested.Goldilocks readily went into the woods with a basket looking out for blackberries. She was so immersed in herself that she went further and further into the woods.After humming and walking for a while, she began to feel hungry and tired.&nbsp;At some distance, she saw a cottage and thought, “Perhaps I could get something to eat there and have a rest”.She knocked on the door but there was no reply. She pushed the door gently and to her surprise, it opened. Cautiously she went in. “Hello” she called, but there was no reply.The door opened into a kitchen and she could smell something delicious. She looked around and saw three bowls on the table. The bowls were of 3 different sizes, big, medium, and small. By each bowl was a chair according to the sizes of the bowls - big, medium and small. Goldilocks crashed onto the biggest chair because it had the biggest bowl of porridge by it. She picked up a big spoon and tried the porridge “Ouch” she cried for the porridge was very very hot and she burnt her tongue.She moved to the medium-sized chair next to the medium-sized bowl. Picking up a middle sized spoon she tried the porridge. “Yuck” she said, for it was way too cold.She got up and sat on the smallest chair near the smallest bowl. Picking up the smallest spoon she tried the porridge. It was perfect. So, very very quickly Goldilocks ate all the porridge up. When she was just about to finish the porridge in the smallest bowl, she heard a strange creaking sound. As soon as she ate the last spoonful, the legs of the chair she was sitting on broke and she landed with a bump on the floor.Because she had eaten so much of porridge and because of the bump, she felt very sleepy. She wanted to take a small nap so she explored the cottage for a bed to lie down. Upstairs, she found a great big bed, she climbed up onto it but, oh, it was so hard.Then she found a medium-sized bed, she climbed into it but it was so soft she felt as though she would disappear in it.Then she found a small bed. It felt just right so she climbed right into it, pulled the covers over herself and was soon fast asleep.As soon as she fell asleep the owners of the cottage came back. The owners were 3 bears, Daddy Bear, Mummy Bear and Baby Bear. They had gone out for a walk in the woods before breakfast and now they were hungry.“What’s this!” growled Daddy Bear, “it looks as though someone’s been messing with my porridge and whoever it is has left muddy footprints on my chair”.Mummy Bear came to look “You’re right, my dear” she said in her soft growl “someone’s been messing with my porridge too, and I’m sure the cushion on my chair has been sat on”.Then Baby Bear began to cry, “Someone’s been messing with my porridge and they’ve eaten it all up and they’ve broken my chair as well” he sobbed in his little, squeaky, growl.All the three bears were wondering who had been into their cottage and caused damages. They looked around the house and went upstairs.“Well” growled Daddy Bear “Someone’s been in my bed, but where is this someone?” “Someone’s been in my bed too” said Mummy Bear “but I can’t find them” Then they heard a squeak from Baby Bear “Daddy, Mummy, come quickly, there’s someone fast asleep in my bed.”Daddy and Mummy Bear raced into Baby Bear’s room and stood around his bed. She woke with a surprise and was frightened to see three bears all looking down at her. Before they could talk to her, she jumped out of bed, out of the window and ran away through the woods back to her home because she didn’t know that they were really gentle, friendly bears.“Well I never” growled Daddy Bear scratching his head “my Grandfather told me people were strange.&nbsp;Fancy! Eating all that porridge and then running away”.&nbsp;Puzzled, the three bears went back to the kitchen where Daddy Bear mended Baby Bear’s chair while Mummy Bear made more porridge, and from that day to this bears all over the world have always known that people are strange things who are not to be trusted with porridge.

GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS

Once upon a time there was a good, cheerful wizard who loved to use his magic to make everyone happy. He was also quite an unusual wizard because he was allergic to a load of different foods. He had to be very careful what he put in his mouth. He was always being invited to parties, and he would always gladly accept, because he always had new tricks and games to try out.In the beginning, everyone was considerate about his allergies, and they took special care to prepare food that he would be able to eat safely. But as time went on, people tired of having to prepare special foods for him. They began to forget his dietary requirements. After having enjoyed his magic, people would leave him by himself, and the parties became less enjoyable. Sometimes they didn't even bother to tell him what was in the food, and, more than once, he ended up with a black tongue, a red face, and a very itchy body.Angry at such lack of consideration, he waved his wand and cast a huffy spell that gave everyone a special allergy. Some became allergic to birds or frogs, others to fruit or meat, some to raindrops... And so, each person had to take special care from then on. Whenever people met up to eat or have a party, they ended up having to go to the doctor.Ending parties in this way was such a pain that, gradually, people began making an effort to learn what each other’s allergies were. Now they would prepare everything carefully, so that they could have a good time together without getting sick. Visits to the doctor decreased, and in less than a year, life in town returned to normal, filled with parties and celebrations, always attended by the wizard, who gave life and joy to the occasion. Even better, now he could stay and enjoy the whole party. No one would have suspected that, in that town, every single person was strongly allergic to something.Sometime later, without anyone knowing, the wizard waved his wand again and undid the spell. The people had learned well how to be considerate towards others, and how they could enjoy each others' company even better just by making a little effort to adapt to each and every person. Moral:Respecting each other's differences and adapting to them brings peace.

This is a story of wizard.Moral(s) of the story: effort and respect

An Allergic Wizard

Yesha Desai

One fine day, Emperor Akbar, accompanied by two of his sons and his clever minister Birbal, went to take a bath in the river. Akbar and his two sons took off their clothes and asked Birbal to take care of them while they bathed in the river.Birbal stood at the bank of the river, waiting for them to come out. He had put the achkans of the Princes and the Emperor over his shoulders and was finding it difficult to stand straight because of their heavy weight. Looking at Birbal’s condition, Akbar felt like teasing him and said, “Birbal, at this moment you look like a washer man’s donkey loaded with clothes.”At once Birbal retorted, “You are right, Jahanpanah! I am carrying the load of not one donkey, but of three donkeys.” This witty reply of Birbal left Emperor Akbar speechless.Can you guess what Birbal meant by ‘Three donkeys’? Moral:Polite and clever comebacks can shut someone down without disrespect.

This is a classic story from Akbar Birbal.This is a story of donkey.Moral(s) of the story: wisdom

Who is the donkey?

Shina Utavani

The story of Saraswati plays an important role in Indian mythology. It is believed that life would not have been the same that it is today without her. Brahma who is the creator of the Universe, felt that something was missing and was lacking concept. So, he decided to create the embodiment of knowledge to help him with this task of bringing order to the universe. So, Saraswati-the goddess of knowledge and wisdom emerged from his mouth.Goddess Saraswati was a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. She was the goddess of learning, art, and literature. She emerged from Brahma to give him directions. She guided him on how to create order in the cosmos; and that is how moon, sun, and stars all came into being.She guided him in creating the universe we see today. It is said that later she became the bride of Brahma. Thus, Brahma became the creator of the world with Saraswati as his wisdom.

This is a story of Brahma, Saraswati and universe.Moral(s) of the story: knowledge and wisdom

The Origin of Sarawati

An ambitious Mother Rat wanted to marry her beautiful daughter to the most powerful man. After thinking hard, she decided that the Sun God would be the most suitable match for Miss Rat.She went to the Sun God and said, “Sir, will you please marry my charming daughter and make her your wife?”The Sun God said, “Thank you, Madam, for considering me a suitable match for your daughter. But I am not the most powerful. The Rain God is more powerful than I am. He can overshadow me with his clouds.”So the Mother Rat went to the Rain God and said, “Sir, will you please marry my charming daughter and make her your wife?”The Rain God said, “Thank you, Madam, for considering me a suitable match for your daughter. But I am not the most powerful. The Wind God is more powerful than I am. He can blow my clouds far away.”So the Mother Rat went to the Wind God and said, “Sir, will you please marry my charming daughter and make her your wife?”The Wind God said, “Thank you, Madam, for considering me a suitable match for your daughter. But I am not the most powerful. The Mountain God is more powerful than I am. He stands in my way and stops me. I blow with all my might but I cannot remove him from my way.”So the Mother Rat went to the Mountain God and said, “Sir, will you please marry my charming daughter and make her your wife?”The Mountain God said, “Thank you, Madam, for considering me a suitable match for your daughter. But I am not the most powerful. The King of Rats is more powerful than I am. He and his fellowmen nibble at my sides and make burrows and tunnels inside my rocky body.”So the Mother Rat went to the King of Rats and said, “Sir, will you please marry my charming daughter and make her your wife?”The King of Rats said, “Yes, I will.” And so Miss Rat was married to the King of Rats with great pomp and splendor.

This is a classic story from Vikas books.This is a story of mountain, rain, sun and wind.

Miss Rat Marries the King of Rats

Book Author

Much of Jawaharlal’s childhood was spent in the Palatial Building named Anand Bhawan spread on 16 acres situated very close to the University of Allahabad. So Nehru described his childhood as a "sheltered and uneventful one".Nehru received most of his primary education at home by many English teachers. Out of them only one managed to influence him. His name was Ferdinand Brooks—a part-Irish, part-Belgian theosophist. Under him Nehru became interested in Science and Theosophy. Nehru started taking interest in Theosophical Society at age thirteen by family friend Annie Besant. However, his interest in theosophy did not continue and he left the society shortly after Brooks departed as his tutor. Jawaharlal with Children / YouthChacha Nehru as the children fondly referred to him, was fond of both children and roses. In fact he often compared the two, saying that children were like the buds in a garden. They should be carefully and lovingly nurtured, as they were the future of the nation and the citizens of tomorrow. He felt that children are the real strength of a country and the very foundation of society. He was the ‘beloved’ of all the children who gave him the endearing name of ‘Chacha Nehru’. He started to wear a rose on his jacket after a child pinned one on it. He always said that children were "future of bright India". On his birthday, he used to have the children at his place to play and enjoy together. So he asked not to have any holiday for his birthday after his death but let the children enjoy the way they want. Nehru chacha’s birthday is celebrated as ‘Baal Din’. Nehru had invited all the newly elected MPs (Member of Parliament) of his party for a dinner held in the lawns of Teen Murti house. During dinner Nehru saw that some poor family children had climbed the boundary wall. They were sitting on it looking at the guests who were having dinner. So he took his plate and went to the wall and gave it to a young boy. Immediately all the MPs also gave their dinner plates to the children! On October 2, 1957, during the Ramlila celebrations in Old Delhi’s Ramlila Ground, Nehru along with some foreign delegates was watching the fireworks. Some sparks fell on the tent in which they were standing and it caught fire. A Boy Scout assigned to Nehru’s stand, grabbed Nehru’s hand and pulled him towards the dais. Then he climbed onto one of the poles, and with his scouts’ knife cut off the burning portion of the tent. This boy was Harish Chand Mehra. On February 4, 1958, a special programme was organised to honour Harish Chand and he was presented the award by Nehru at Teen Murti Bhawan. Nehru said that Harish needed no introduction, as he was himself an eyewitness to the whole account. He said it would be better if we could have more children of undoubted courage.Japan’s zookeepers had killed most of Tokyo’s wild animals to prevent them from escaping during World War II air raids. In 1949, Nehru delighted Japanese children by presenting Ueno Zoo with an Indian elephant.

Much of Jawaharlal’s childhood was spent in the Palatial Building named Anand Bhawan spread on 16 acres situated very close to the University of Allahabad. So Nehru described his childhood as a "sheltered and uneventful one".

Jawaharlal Nehru’s Childhood

Once there lived two cats who were best friends. They lived together and used to have a lot of fun.The two cats were roaming around one day. On a street, the cats found a loaf of bread. They took the loaf of bread and decided to break it into two. One of the cats said, “You take one of the pieces and I will take one.” the bread looked extremely delicious. The other cat agreed.They took the loaf and decided to break it equally. But both of them could not decide who will cut the loaf into two equal parts. They both were arguing over who will cut the bread. Meanwhile, a monkey saw the cats quarrelling over the bread. “Such foolish cats,” he thought. The monkey was also hungry so he made a plan.The monkey went to the cats and said, “Let me help you.” The monkey said, “let me decide who will break the loaf.” The cats said, “Then why do not you divide the loaf equally.” The monkey agreed. He divided the loaf into two parts.The two parts of the loaf were not equal. One of the pieces was larger than the other. Before the cats could say anything, the monkey said, “Let me take a bite of a larger piece and then it will be equal.” The cats agreed. This time the monkey purposefully took a bigger bite of the large piece. Thereby the piece became very small. And then the monkey told, “OH!! Now let me bite the other piece so that they will become equal.” The monkey took another bite of the bread. He continued doing so until he finished the bread loaf all by himself.The poor cats were left with no bread. The monkey said, “That was a very tasty bread. Sorry, it was difficult to divide the bread equally. I should go now,”. The monkey left the place. The cats then realized their mistake and thought it would have been better if they ate the bread without fighting. Moral:When we fight amongst ourselves, a third person gets the benefit.

This is a story of beard, cat, friend and monkey.Moral(s) of the story: idiot

Two cats and the monkey

Pallavi Hota

Butterfly, butterfly, where do you fly? sang the little girl whom she kept as her pet. The girl took care of her butterfly just as a family member, but never allowed her the freedom to fly.One day the butterfly tried her best and got out of the cage. She felt as if she was born again. She flew here and there amidst the beautiful flowers with rain drops falling on her wings. The next day the little girl waking up to this, cried. She insisted her parents get her that butterfly back. But they could not find the butterfly. She tried to find the butterfly everywhere and called out for her. She also waited for her to fly back to her.After some time, she realised that one cannot stop anyone from having their own freedom, and cannot possess anything forcefully just because of his or her own happiness.Moral:Forceful things are not real.

This is a story of butterfly.Moral(s) of the story: happiness

sharing 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.