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India

Folk tales from the diverse traditions of India.

364 stories found
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The Magic Grove of Wishes Indian Folk Tales Ages 9-12

The Magic Grove of Wishes

A magical place grants wishes but reveals that greed traps people while generosity sets them free.

The Blind Men and the Elephant Indian Folk Tales Ages 9-12

The Blind Men and the Elephant

Blind men touching different parts of an elephant argue fiercely, each convinced of their own truth.

King Shibi and the Dove Indian Folk Tales Ages 9-12

King Shibi and the Dove

A just king proves his compassion by offering his own body to save a hunted dove.

The Clever Monkey and the Crocodile Indian Folk Tales Ages 9-12

The Clever Monkey and the Crocodile

A clever monkey uses his wit to escape a crocodile's deception and survive a betrayal.

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The Wedge-Pulling Monkey Panchatantra Stories Ages 9-12

The Wedge-Pulling Monkey

A monkey's endless meddling with a wedge brings painful harm, teaching that interference rarely helps.

The Lion and the Clever Jackal Panchatantra Stories Ages 9-12

The Lion and the Clever Jackal

A clever jackal's schemes make him valuable to a lion, but cleverness without loyalty is always risky.

The Washerman’s Donkey Panchatantra Stories Ages 9-12

The Washerman’s Donkey

A washerman's jealousy destroys his donkey's borrowed finery and their friendship in one tragic accident.

The Four Brahmins and the Lion Indian Folk Tales Ages 9-12

The Four Brahmins and the Lion

Four learned brahmins discover that knowledge alone cannot protect them from a real lion.

The Golden Deer of the Forest Indian Folk Tales Ages 9-12

The Golden Deer of the Forest

A king learns that true wealth comes from protecting nature's magic, not possessing it.

Savitri and the Lord of Death Indian Folk Tales Ages 9-12

Savitri and the Lord of Death

A devoted wife uses her wit to challenge Death itself and save her husband from the Lord of Death.

The Tiger, the Brahmin, and the Jackal Hitopadesha Ages 3-5

The Tiger, the Brahmin, and the Jackal

Read 'The Tiger, the Brahmin, and the Jackal: A Hitopadesha Tale of Deception and Justice' — a classic Hitopadesha story about trickery. In a time when ...

The Merchant’s Foolish Friend: A Hitopadesha Story of Honesty and Accountability Hitopadesha Ages 3-5

The Merchant’s Foolish Friend: A Hitopadesha Story of Honesty and Accountability

Read 'The Merchant’s Foolish Friend: A Hitopadesha Story of Honesty and Accountability' — a classic Hitopadesha story about honesty. In a bustling city ...

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