India
Explore stories associated with Indian traditions, including the Panchatantra, Jataka narratives and regional collections. A tale’s setting, the place where a version was recorded and the history of its publication are different kinds of evidence. Read the source note for the connection supported on each page.
219 stories are in this region right now.
Jataka Tales
Ages 3-5
The Story of the Merchant of Seri
A greedy tinware seller tries to cheat a poor grandmother out of a golden bowl, but an honest merchant pays her everything he has for it.
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The Ox Who Won the Forfeit
A boastful owner loses a bet when his strong Ox refuses to move for harsh words, then wins it back the next day with kindness and a garland of flowers.
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The Story of the Sandy Road
Lost in the desert after throwing away their water, a merchant’s caravan is saved when he refuses to give up and a serving boy breaks through to a spring.
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The Quarrel of the Quails
A flock of quails outwits a fowler by flying off together with his net, until a silly quarrel breaks out and they are all caught at once.
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The Measure of Rice
A greedy king hires a foolish Valuer who prices five hundred horses at a measure of rice, until a bribe makes him value the rice at the whole city.
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The King’s White Elephant
An elephant helped by carpenters repays them with work, and his playful white son is loved by their children until the king buys him for himself.
Hitopadesha
Ages 9-12
The Story of the Tiger and the Traveller
An old tiger offers a golden bangle and a story of repentance, persuading a traveller to approach a danger he initially recognizes.
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 9-12
Slow, the Weaver
A weaver spares a fairy’s tree in return for a wish, takes his wife’s advice to ask for two extra arms and a head, and comes to a bad end.
Jataka Tales
Ages 9-12
The Wise and Foolish Merchants
Two merchants cross a demon-haunted desert, and while the foolish one pours out his water on a stranger’s word, the wise one asks questions and survives.
Jataka Tales
Ages 9-12
The Mouse Merchant
Following a treasurer’s passing remark, a penniless young man sells a dead mouse for a farthing and trades his way up to two hundred thousand coins.
Jataka Tales
Ages 9-12
The Firewood Gatherer
A stick-gatherer’s son proves he is the king’s child by sitting in mid-air, then grows up to rule as the Firewood Gatherer king.
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The Gray Hair
When his barber finds a single gray hair on his head, a king who still has thousands of years to live gives up his throne to become a hermit.