As a kid, I was obsessed with short stories and totally intrigued about the characters and the things they would pull off! Whether it was mealtimes or bedtime, I would not have it without listening to a story with a moral lesson at the end! I remember being an impassioned fan of The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling and I also have vivid remembrances of Baloo the Bear and Shere Khan running around with the man-cub, Mowgli.
Reminiscing my childhood, my mind often drifts to a mystical world where the tortoise wins a race against the hare, where the ugly duckling finds her inner beauty!
So, it only seemed fair to put together a list of my most favourite short stories for kids along with their moral value lessons to have a quick read before bedtime!
Hope your kids enjoy them and read them over and over again, just how I used to.
The Tortoise and the Hare
I’m sure most of us have read this story as kids! The life lesson that this story sends out is so profound, it can be used as excellent advice for kids (and most adults!). The story’s climax literally made the 2-year-old me go “Woahhh”.
This classic revolves around the lives of a hare and a tortoise who decide to race one day! The overconfident hare runs with all his might, tires himself out quickly and decides to sleep it off for a while. The persevering tortoise dedicatedly walks till it reaches the finish line and wins the race!
Moral of the story – Every task you come across in life, see it through till the end. Perseverance is the key, kids!
The Crow and the Jug
Another story about persistence and determination, I must have read this one for a zillion times as a kid! Every time I would face a sticky situation, I would ask my mother to narrate the story about the persistent crow and how he finally got what he wanted!
The short story for kids is a first-hand account of a crow and his unquenchable thirst for water paired with his infallible attitude of not giving up till he had some. With his sheer ingenuity and resourcefulness, the crow fills up an empty jug, drinks his fill, and flies away a happy bird!
Moral of the story – Face every adversity that life throws at you and never back down! Use your resources wisely and you shall have what you desire!
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Another one of my absolute favourites, this short story had a huge impact on me and made me sympathise with the bears!
The story is about a girl with golden hair who stumbles upon an abandoned house (of bears) one fine day while strolling through the forest. She enters the house, eats the occupants’ food, and even sleeps in their bed. The bears upon returning are not pleased with the intruder and decide to take action.
Moral of the story – Your actions will always have consequences!
The Ugly Duckling
This alluring and absolutely heartwarming tale about the ugly duckling always managed to fill me with warmth and put a smile on my face.
When the duckling finds out that all his friends and family members are more beautiful than he is, he sequesters himself to a small corner of the lake only to eventually learn that he is in fact, a beautiful swan!
Moral of the story – You are beautiful the way you are!
The Lion and the Mouse
This tale about friendship and honesty is a much-needed respite and makes for an excellent bedtime story for kids.
Once upon a time, a fearsome lion tries to eat a mouse, however, the mouse requests him to let him go and promises to help the lion in return. Soon enough, a poachers’ net traps the lion and the mouse rescues him by chewing away at the net!
Moral of the story – Always be kind, it will come back to you when you are least expecting it!
Stories have lives and I was lucky to have been a part of so many during my childhood. Make your kids’ day by telling him a story while having taught him a thing or two about life!
Do let me know which one of these short stories for kids is your favourite and makes you think of fun childhood times?
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