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 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 3-5
The Story of the Merchant of Seri
The Story of the Merchant of Seri: Source: Jataka Tales Ellen C. Babbit | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English In the country of Seri there was
Jataka Tales
Ages 3-5
The Turtle Who Couldn’t Stop Talking
The Turtle Who Couldn't Stop Talking: Source: Jataka Tales Ellen C. Babbit | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English A TURTLE lived in a pond at the
Jataka Tales
Ages 3-5
The Ox Who Won the Forfeit
The Ox Who Won the Forfeit: Source: Jataka Tales Ellen C. Babbit | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English ONCE upon a time a man had an Ox, and he
Jataka Tales
Ages 3-5
The Story of the Sandy Road
The Story of the Sandy Road: Source: Jataka Tales Ellen C. Babbit | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English Once upon a time a merchant and his men
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
All Ages
The Wise and Foolish Merchants
The Wise and Foolish Merchants: Source: Jataka Tales Sacred Texts | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English Once on a time in the city of Benares in
Jataka Tales
Ages 9-12
The Golden Bowl
The Golden Bowl: Source: Jataka Tales Sacred Texts | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English Once on a time in the kingdom of Seri, five aeons ago
Jataka Tales
Ages 9-12
The Mouse Merchant
The Mouse Merchant: Source: Jataka Tales Sacred Texts | Type: Jataka | Country: India | Language: English Once on a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in
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.