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.
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 9-12
The Bird with Two Heads
A two-necked lake bird will not share nectar; the second neck swallows poison in anger, and their one shared belly kills them both.
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 9-12
The Brahmani and the Mongoose
A mother leaves her baby in her husband’s care, and when her pet mongoose runs to her with a bloody mouth, she acts before she knows what really happened.
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 9-12
The Brahmin and the Cobra
A poor farmer leaves milk for the cobra in his field and finds a gold coin every morning, until his greedy son decides to take all the gold at once.
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 9-12
The Brahmin’s Dream
A miserly Brahmin lies under his pot of rice and dreams it into goats, cows, horses and gold, until one kick in his daydream brings it crashing down.
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 6-8
The Brahmin, the Thief and the Demon
A thief who wants a Brahmin's cattle and a demon who wants to eat the Brahmin creep into his house on the same night, and then they start to argue.
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 3-5
The Cave That Talked
A hungry lion hides in a jackal’s cave, but the clever jackal tricks the lion into roaring and runs away before he can be caught.
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 6-8
The Dog Who Went Abroad
During a famine a dog travels to a rich foreign city, eats well but is mauled by the local dogs every day, and decides home is better.
The Donkey in the Panther’s Skin
A washerman dresses his skinny donkey in a panther's skin so it can eat the neighbours' corn, and all goes well until the donkey opens its mouth.
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 9-12
The Four Learned Fools
Three learned friends rebuild a dead lion with their scholarship; the fourth, who has only common sense, climbs a tree and alone walks home alive.
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 9-12
The Four Treasure-Seekers
Four poor Brahmans follow magic quills to copper, silver and gold, but the greediest one walks on to a terrible spinning wheel.
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 9-12
The Lioness and the Young Jackal
A lioness raises a young jackal with her cubs. Their different responses to an elephant bring the hidden adoption into the open.
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 9-12
The Monkey and the Crocodile
A crocodile offers a monkey a ride to fruit across the river, plans to take his heart for his mother, then loses him to a quick ruse.