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India

Folk tales from the diverse traditions of India.

360 stories found
How Raja Rasalu Was Born Indian Folk Tales Ages 9-12

How Raja Rasalu Was Born

How Raja Rasalu Was Born: Once there lived a great Raja, whose name was Sâlbâhan, and he had two Queens. Now the elder, by name Queen Achhrâ, had a fair young

Home (far) away from home!!! Panchatantra Stories Ages 9-12

Home (far) away from home!!!

The famous Efik folk tale from southern Nigeria — Sun and Moon were old friends with the great Water, and they built a house big enough to welcome him in. But Water brought every fish and every wave with him, and the friends had to learn that some friendships are honored best across a great distance. A West African pourquoi tale, first written down in English by Elphinstone Dayrell in 1910 — and the gentle origin of why the Sun and Moon live in the sky.

How Raja Rasalu Swung The Seventy Fair Maidens Daughters Of The King Indian Folk Tales Ages 12+ / YA

How Raja Rasalu Swung The Seventy Fair Maidens Daughters Of The King

How Raja Rasalu Swung The Seventy Fair Maidens Daughters Of The King: The story of Raja Rasalu has echoed through the ages in Indian folk tradition, capturing

How The Rajas Son Won The Princess Labam Indian Folk Tales Ages 3-5

How The Rajas Son Won The Princess Labam

How The Rajas Son Won The Princess Labam: In a country there was a Raja who had an only son who every day went out to hunt. One day the Rani, his mother, said

How The Wicked Sons Were Duped Indian Folk Tales Ages 3-5

How The Wicked Sons Were Duped

How The Wicked Sons Were Duped: A very wealthy old man, imagining that he was on the point of death, sent for his sons and divided his property among them.

Jackal Or Tiger Indian Folk Tales Ages 3-5

Jackal Or Tiger

Jackal Or Tiger: One hot night, in Hindustan, a king and queen lay awake in the palace in the midst of the city. Every now and then a faint air blew through

How Raja Rasalu Played Chaupur With King Sarkap Indian Folk Tales Ages 3-5

How Raja Rasalu Played Chaupur With King Sarkap

How Raja Rasalu Played Chaupur With King Sarkap: Now, when evening came, Raja Rasâlu went forth to play chaupur with King Sarkap, and as he passed some

Dorani Indian Folk Tales Ages 3-5

Dorani

Dorani: Once upon a time there lived in a city of Hindustan a seller of scents and essences, who had a very beautiful daughter named Dorani. This maiden had a

Eating Up the Protector Indian Folk Tales Ages 6+

Eating Up the Protector

Southern Indian folktale: poor Brahmin Kusalanatha saves a serpent from fire. A hood-gem, a hard promise, and gratitude stop a deadly mistake.

If Only Fairy Tales Could Be Like This Indian Folk Tales Ages 9+

If Only Fairy Tales Could Be Like This

A modern Cinderella story-poem and short essay for ages 9+: what real beauty means, why kindness matters more than looks, plus a clear moral and FAQ.

A Baker’s Dozen – An American Folktale Panchatantra Stories Ages 3-5

A Baker’s Dozen – An American Folktale

Why do American bakers give thirteen instead of twelve? A Dutch baker, a strange old woman, and Saint Nicholas made it so.

The Blank Canvas: A Short Story About Life’s Possibility All Ages

The Blank Canvas: A Short Story About Life’s Possibility

The Blank Canvas: A Tale About Life's Empty and Full Moments In a busy modern city, where tall buildings touched the clouds and millions of people rushed from