Jataka Tales
Read our collection of 28 Jataka tales — the oldest and most beloved stories from the Buddhist tradition. The Jataka tales recount the previous lives of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) before his final birth and enlightenment, illustrating how he cultivated moral perfection across hundreds of lifetimes.
In each Jataka story, the future Buddha appears as a different being — sometimes a wise king, sometimes a humble animal, sometimes a merchant or sage — always demonstrating virtues such as compassion, generosity, patience, and wisdom. These stories date back to the 4th century BCE and were originally inscribed on the walls of ancient Buddhist temples across India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.
The Jataka tales are perfect for teaching children about Buddhist values, kindness, and ethical living. Each story is retold in clear, engaging language with vivid illustrations, making them ideal bedtime stories for kids and valuable resources for classrooms studying world religions and Asian literature.
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The Quarrel of the Quails
The Quarrel of the Quails: Source: Jataka Tales Ellen C. Babbit | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English ONCE upon a time many quails lived together
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The Measure of Rice
The Measure of Rice: Source: Jataka Tales Ellen C. Babbit | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English AT one time a dishonest king had a man called the
Jataka Tales
Ages 3-5
The Story of the Banyan Deer
The Story of the Banyan Deer: Source: Jataka Tales Ellen C. Babbit | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English Once upon a time a Deer lived in a
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The Banyan Deer
The Banyan Deer: Source: Jataka Tales Ellen C. Babbit | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English ONCE upon a time there was a deer named Banyan. A
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The King’s White Elephant
The King's White Elephant: Source: Jataka Tales Ellen C. Babbit | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English ONCE upon a time a number of carpenters
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The Foolish Valuer
The Foolish Valuer: Source: Jataka Tales Sacred Texts | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English Once on a time Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares in
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The Faggot-Bearer
The Faggot-Bearer: Source: Jataka Tales Sacred Texts | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English Once on a time in Benares Brahmadatta the king, having
Jataka Tales
Ages 3-5
The Gray Hair
A Jataka tale about the ancient king Makhadeva, who retires to the forest on seeing his first gray hair. A story about mindfulness and timely detachment.
Jataka Tales
Ages 3-5
The Happy Monk
The Happy Monk: Source: Jataka Tales Sacred Texts | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English In the city of Rajagaha there was a king named Bimbisara.
Jataka Tales
Ages 3-5
The Two Stags
The Two Stags: Source: Jataka Tales Sacred Texts | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English In a certain forest there lived two stags, brothers born
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The Banyan Deer (Nigrodhamiga Jataka)
The Banyan Deer (Nigrodhamiga Jataka): Source: Jataka Tales Sacred Texts | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English In the kingdom of Varanasi there
Jataka Tales
Ages 3-5
How the Turtle Saved His Own Life
How the Turtle Saved His Own Life: Source: Jataka Tales Ellen C. Babbit | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English A KING once had a lake made in the