1. The Tortoise and the Hare
Story: A hare laughed at a slow-moving tortoise and challenged him to a race. The hare ran far ahead and took a nap, confident of winning. Meanwhile, the tortoise kept moving steadily and won the race.
Moral: Slow and steady wins the race.
2. The Boy Who Cried Wolf
Story: A shepherd boy repeatedly tricked villagers by crying “Wolf!” just for fun. When a real wolf appeared, no one believed him, and his flock was lost.
Moral: Honesty is important; lies destroy trust.
3. The Lion and the Mouse
Story: A lion spared a tiny mouse’s life. Later, the mouse repaid the favor by gnawing through a hunter’s net, setting the lion free.
Moral: No act of kindness is ever wasted.
4. The Golden Goose
Story: A farmer had a goose that laid golden eggs. Wanting all the gold at once, he killed it—only to find nothing inside.
Moral: Greed leads to loss.
5. The Ant and the Grasshopper
Story: All summer, an ant worked hard storing food, while a grasshopper played. When winter came, the grasshopper had nothing to eat, while the ant was safe and well-fed.
Moral: Hard work and preparation pay off.
6. The Thirsty Crow
Story: A crow found a pitcher with water too low to reach. It dropped pebbles inside, raising the water level until it could drink.
Moral: Intelligence and persistence solve problems.
7. The Honest Woodcutter
Story: A woodcutter lost his axe in a river. A fairy offered him a golden axe, then a silver one, but he refused them, saying they weren’t his. Impressed by his honesty, she gave him all three axes.
Moral: Honesty is always rewarded.
8. The Bundle of Sticks
Story: A father gave his sons a bundle of sticks to break. They failed. Then he gave them a single stick, which they broke easily.
Moral: Unity gives strength.
9. The Goose and the Well
Story: A man put his pet goose in a well. Over time, the goose grew but remained inside. One day, he realized that as the goose grew, the space around it also expanded.
Moral: Growth happens naturally, and opportunities expand with effort.
10. The Wise Old Owl
Story: An old owl observed everything but spoke little. The more he listened, the wiser he became.
Moral: Listening more and speaking less leads to wisdom