Shina Utavani

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the former Prime Minister of India. He had served as the prime minister for three terms. The term was not for consecutive years. In fact, for the first time, he was the Prime Minister only for 13 days. Even in the next term, he could not serve for the whole tenure. But for the third time, he served for the full term i.e. 1999 to 2004. He was the first person to serve as the Prime Minister without being a member of the Indian National Congress.He was born to a middle-class family in Gwalior on 25th December 1924. His father, Krishna Vajpayee was a school teacher and a poet. His mother, Krishna Devi was a housewife. He completed his schooling from Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Gwalior. He graduated from Victoria College and completed his masters from DAV College, Kanpur. He studied M.A. in Political Science.Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the first Swayam-Sewak to become the prime minister of India and the first non-Congress Prime Minister to complete a full term in office. His long and winding political career was replete with ups and downs, spanning more than five decades in public life. His oratory skills were also appreciated by everyone. His famous speech at Lok Sabha in 1996 during his 13-day BJP government rule was his most riveting speech.

This is a story of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Haider Ali.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Yesha Desai

One day Birbal and his friend were coming back from somewhere.There was a small stream in the way. The bridge on that stream was very old, narrow and slippery. Birbal somehow managed to cross that bridge, but his friend could not do it. He lost his balance and fell into the water.Birbal immediately leaned down to help his friend. He stretched out his hand towards his friend in order to help him come out. His friend quickly grasped his hand and started to pull himself towards the shore.His friend felt so obligated that he hastily promised Birbal that he would give him twenty dinars for saving his life.Birbal stoically said, “Thank you!” and let him go into the water again. The man got the shock of his life and went back into the water with a splash.The man struggled to wade his way out of the water and when he finally reached the shore, he asked Birbal, “Why did you do that?”Birbal said, “To take my reward.”The man said, “Couldn’t you have waited for me to come out of the water safely?”.Birbal retorted, “Couldn’t you have waited till you came out of the water and stood on the ground?”The man realised that he had been hasty in offering the reward and friends do not help each other for material gains. He apologised to Birbal and thanked him for saving him and driving good sense into him. Moral:Hasty, emotional promises can have bad consequences / There is no need for material exchanges or rewards in friendship

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

Hasty reward

Ravina Sewani

King Vikram was given the duty of bringing Betal to a tantric. Betal traditionally means ‘evil spirit’. Each time Vikram tried to capture Betal, it told him a story that ended with a riddle. If Vikram could not answer the question correctly, Betal agreed to remain in captivity. But, if the king knew the answer and still kept quiet, his head would burst into a thousand pieces. And if King Vikram spoke, Betal would escape and return to his tree.King Jaipal had three queens. Each of them was very beautiful, sensitive, and delicate.One day, the first queen was wounded when a flower from her hair fell on her thigh. Another night, when the king and his second queen were spending time on the terrace, the moonlight burned her skin. The third queen was also no less. Once, she heard someone weeping in the next room, she turned pale and fainted.Betaal asked Vikram, “Tell me O Wise king! Which among the three queens is most sensitive?” Vikram replied, “The third queen was the most sensitive because in my opinion, those who are sensitive to the suffering of others are sensitive in the real sense of the word.” Betaal was very happy with the answer. He said, “No doubt, you are very intelligent! But, you always make the mistake of breaking your silence. Now, I must fly back to the tree. Goodbye!” Saying this, Betaal flew back to the tree. Moral:Be empathetic towards other and develop the skill of listening and understanding others.

This is a classic story from Vikram betal.Moral(s) of the story: empathy and understanding

The Three Sensitive Queens

Eid-al-Fitr is celebrated on the 1st day of Shawwal month, after the month of Ramadan. The month of Ramadan ends with the occasion of Eid-al-Fitr as Muslims thank Allah and celebrate the festival with religious fervour. The Ramadan is an important month for Muslims. They fast for the whole month and immerse themselves in reading the Quran and Duas. The month holds religious importance for Muslims. It teaches them the true meaning of perseverance and tolerance while being empathetic towards the poor and needy. Muslims are rewarded with this festival at the end of the Ramadan month. Ramadan is not only about refraining from food and drink, but it is also about abstaining from evil thoughts, words, and actions. What makes Ramadan special is that these acts of devotion are done collectively. Everyone is fasting, praying, and trying to get rid of their bad habits. It creates an atmosphere where one is encouraged and supported to become a better person. Muslims celebrate the festival by starting the day with Eid prayers. They perform their prayers at the mosque. The Eid prayer is followed by the sermon after which Muslims ask for Allah’s forgiveness, peace, mercy, and blessings. People greet each other with “Eid Mubarak” after the prayers. The festival is celebrated with family and friends. Special food items are made on a special occasion. Kids receive Eidi (gifts; usually money) from elders. The festival revolves around the theme of togetherness and happiness.

This is a story behind the celebration of Eid ul fitr.

Eid-ul-Fitr

Once upon a time, a sage used to live in a cottage. He was a very learned man. Many people were his followers and used to come to listen to his spiritual teachings. They also used to consult him on important matters. As offerings they gave him money and valuables. In this way, soon the sage had amassed considerable wealth. This wealth, instead of making him happy, was a great source of worry for the sage. He had to constantly guard his wealth. He put all of it in a bag and carried it under his armpit. He never parted with this bag.Now, a thief named Ashadhbhuti came to know about the sage’s wealth. He made a plan to steal it. He went to the sage’s cottage and said, “Guruji, Please accept me as your disciple. I have had enough of worldly and materialistic affairs. I want to learn more about spirituality. Only you can show me the way to attain moksha.”The sage was pleased with Ashadhbhuti’s words and accepted him as his disciple after performing certain rituals. Ashadhbhuti pretended to be the perfect disciple. He lavished all his attention on his guru to win his approval and trust. He pressed the sage’s hands and feet and waited upon him. But many days passed and Ashadhbhuti could not find a single opportunity of getting to the sage’s wealth. The bag was always under the sage’s armpit and he never took it off. It seemed as if the sage did not trust Ashadhbhuti completely. He also never allowed Ashadhbhuti to enter his cottage at night. Ashadhbhuti was disappointed but he did not give up.Once, a disciple of the sage invited the sage to his house to perform a religious ceremony. The sage decided to take Ashadhbhuti along with him. Both of them set off on their journey. On their way, there was a holy river where the sage wanted to bathe. The sage wrapped his money bag in his robe and put it on the river bank, saying to Ashadhbhuti, “Take very good care of this bag while I take a bath.”When the sage returned to the bank after bathing, Ashadhbhuti was nowhere to be seen. The sage’s robe was lying on the ground. He picked it up quickly and saw that the bag of money that he had wrapped in the robe was gone too. “He has robbed me!” the sage cried in dismay and fainted. On regaining consciousness, he returned to his cottage unhappily. Moral:Great wealth does not promise happy times.

This is a classic story from panchtantra.

The thief and the sage

Sudama was a brahmin man.&nbsp;He was a good friend of Lord Krishna. Sudama was very indifferent. He had no desire for material things. Once Sudama and Krishna went to a jungle. Sudama did not offer food to Krishna and lied to him saying he did not have anything to eat.&nbsp;After completing education, Lord Krishna left for Dwarka but Sudama stayed. He got married and began to pass his life with his wife and children.Sudama spent most of his life in poverty because of what he did with Krishna in the jungle. He did not have enough money to fulfil his family's needs. There were times where he had nothing to feed his children.His wife was very upset as they could not feed their children. His wife insisted him to ask for help from his friend Krishna, who was the king of Dwarka. Sudama at first did not like the idea of taking favours from anyone but seeing his kids starving he decided to ask for help from Krishna.Sudama went to Dwarka to meet Krishna. He took rice for Krishna. His dignity did not allow him to ask any favours. He left the palace without asking for any favours. He felt very bad for his kids and wife.The pure devotion of Sudama and Krishna's true friendship worked its magic. Sudama took rice for Krishna and Krishna while eating the rice blessed Sudama and his hut was converted into a beautiful palace. His dignity was rewarded. Tears rolled out from his eyes when he saw the palace. This shows the true friendship and devotion they both shared.

This is a story of Krishan and Sudama.Moral(s) of the story: devotion

Sudama

Pallavi Hota

The Ramayan is an ancient Sanskrit epic written by the famous sage Valmiki. It describes Lord Rama's effort to rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana. It also describes the challenges faced by Lord Rama, Laxaman, and Sita when they were exiled from the kingdom for 14 years. Following is a story from “The Ramayana”.When Vibhishan, the younger brother of Ravana, pleaded with his brother Ravana to return Sita to Rama, Ravana ridiculed him and asked him to go away.&nbsp;After all his efforts failed, he came to take shelter of Lord Ram and seeked his protection. The Lord asked Sugreev what his opinion was. Sugreev said he is spying for Ravana, so we must tie him up. But when Vibhishan came into Lord Ram’s room, the Lord gave him a big hug.Sugreev was upset and said that he asked for his advice but did not follow it. Lord Ram said, “I did follow it, you said to tie him up. So instead of tying him with ropes, I tied him in my arms, because the one who is tied up in my embrace will never leave me.”

This is a story of Ram and Vibhushan.

Rama tied up Vibhishana in his embrace

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

India gained independence from the Britishrule on 15th August 1947. Since then every year, 15th August is celebrated as Independence Day in India to commemorate India’s freedom from the 200-year-old British government. The struggle for India’s independence began in 1857 in Meerut. Later, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, in the 20th century, the Indian National Congress launched an independent movement. After a lot of struggle and hard work, on August 15th, 1947, colonial powers were transferred to India. India’s struggle for freedom was a long process and witnessed the sacrifice of many freedom fighters. This day remarks the bravery of our freedom fighters. It reminds us of the sacrifices made by our forefathers, freedom fighters and leaders to free our motherland.&nbsp; For India, 15th August is a day of her re-birth. On 15th August 1947, India’s first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru unfolded the tricolour flag of the nation. On this day, people pay homage to leaders who fought for the freedom of the nation. Flag hoisting ceremony along with various cultural programs are organised at various places on this day including schools and colleges.

swimming 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.