Children's Short stories

A fine bird is more than fine feathers. A Jackdaw tried to make itself look pretty using peacock feathers. It had to flee when found out. What a rout.

The Swallow and Crow argued about their plumage. The Crow said Swallow’s feathers are all good in the spring, but his protects him against the winter.

While a Rabbit was absent from his hole one day, a Weasel took possession of it. As they could not settle the dispute, they agreed to leave the question of ownership to a wise old Cat, to whom they went without more ado. 

Two pots, metal and clay, walk down a roadway. The metal pot asks the clay to be close. The Earthen Pot could not survive that sort of companionship very long. 

A Lion wanted to dine on some bulls but they grouped together when he advanced. One day the bulls went to different fields and were eaten one by one. 

An Ass carrying a sacred Image through town thought all the bowing was for him instead of the Image. His Master set him straight with a well placed whip. 

A rat is used to people reacting with fear when they see him, and is rather pleased with this effect. One day he comes across a crowd of people, and is upset when they seem to ignore him. They are too busy admiring a great elephant, on which a king is riding, carrying a cat.

One of two Men found an purse. The other claimed part of the find until the owner showed up to take the purse back. The other quickly withdrew the claim.

A Satyr is confused by a man blowing to both heat and cool and refused to deal with him thinking he was double dealing. 

A Milkmaid went to market with her pail on her head. She was lost in thought about the profits and what she will do with them and tripped. No more milk.

Hungry Dogs saw hides in the river. They decided to drink up the river to get to the hides. Silly Dogs; they burst trying.

It is the lively story of a fox who tries to trick a farmyard rooster. There are plenty of good morals; "pride comes before the fall," and "do not fall for false flattery," are a couple examples.

A fox and a leopard were disputing about their looks and each claimed to be the more handsome of the two. The leopard said, "look at my smart coat; you may have nothing to match that". But the fox replied, " Your coat may be smart, but my wits are smarter still ".

A salt seller used to carry the salt bag on his donkey to the market every day. On the way they had to cross a stream. One day the donkey suddenly tumbled down the stream and the salt bag also fell into the water. The salt dissolved in the water and hence the bag became very light to carry.

Visitors to a sick Stag each ate some of his food. The Stag died of hunger not illness.

Boys playing by a pond began to throw rocks at Frogs, killing several. Frogs cried out they should stop as sport to the Boys was death to the Frogs.

People often begrudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves. A dog sleeping on hay would not let other animals eat from the hay.

In the fable, the gnat boasts to a lion of his importance. He bites the mighty lion and escapes without harm but then is caught and eaten by a lowly spider.

A Wolf thought himself special because his shadow got longer as the sun set. As the Wolf watched his shadow a Lion pounced on him. Too self absorbed!

Seaside Travelers waited by the shore for a boat they saw in the distance to land. When it did they saw it was only a load of wood. Disappointment! Our mere anticipations of life outrun its realities.

Hares were tired of being afraid. They went to drown themselves when they scared some frogs. Fear no more.

An Ass mocked a Lion who eventually decided to just let the Ass be himself and not give the Ass any further notice. 

The story relates how a farmer plants traps in his field to catch the cranes and geese that are stealing the seeds he has sown. When he checks the traps, he finds among the other birds a stork, who pleads to be spared because it is harmless and has taken no part in the theft. The farmer replies that since it has been caught in the company of thieves, it must suffer the same fate. 

A boy puts his hand into a pitcher of figs and filberts and grasps so many that he cannot withdraw his fist through the narrow opening. When he bursts into tears of frustration, a bystander advises him to take only half the quantity.

The tree taunts the reed for its frailty and yielding to every wind but the reed does not answer back. The wisdom of its behaviour becomes apparent when the tree is snapped in the buffeting of a storm.