1003+ Stories from Ancient India — Free to Read! Explore all stories →

India

Folk tales from the diverse traditions of India.

364 stories found
Ad Space (header)
The Two Brothers Hitopadesha All Ages

The Two Brothers

The Two Brothers: Once upon a time there lived a King who had two young sons; they were good boys, and sat in school learning all that kings’ sons ought to

The Wrestlers Indian Folk Tales All Ages

The Wrestlers

The Wrestlers: There was, once upon a time, long ago, a wrestler living in a far country, who, hearing there was a mighty man in India, determined to have a

The Timid Hare and the Flight of the Beasts Panchatantra Stories All Ages

The Timid Hare and the Flight of the Beasts

The Timid Hare and the Flight of the Beasts: Once upon a time when Brahmadatta reigned in Benares, the Bodhisatta came to life as a young lion. And when fully

A Traveler’s Tale from India Indian Folk Tales All Ages

A Traveler’s Tale from India

A Traveler's Tale from India: Once upon a time, in a country called India, on the coast of Nagapattinam far south, there landed a large vessel on the shores of

Ad Space (in-content)
Why Brahma Cannot Eat in the Dark Indian Folk Tales All Ages

Why Brahma Cannot Eat in the Dark

Why Brahma Cannot Eat in the Dark: Among Hindûs, especially among Brâhmaṇs of the Madras Presidency - and I now see from personal observation that it is the

The Cruel Crane Outwitted Indian Folk Tales All Ages

The Cruel Crane Outwitted

The Cruel Crane Outwitted: Deep in the forests of ancient India, near the holy city of Kashi, there stood a magnificent fig tree so tall that its topmost

Keep It For The Beggar Indian Folk Tales All Ages

Keep It For The Beggar

Keep It For The Beggar: When anything sweet is prepared in the house on a particular night, and when the children, after feeding to their fill, say to the

Mr Bunnys Carrot Soup Indian Folk Tales All Ages

Mr Bunnys Carrot Soup

Mr Bunnys Carrot Soup: Once upon a time Mr. Bunny picked four carrots. I will make carrot soup, he thought. Rat asked, “May I have a carrot please?” “Yes, take

Sir Buzz Indian Folk Tales All Ages

Sir Buzz

Sir Buzz: Once upon a time a soldier died, leaving a widow and one son. They were dreadfully poor, and at last matters became so bad that they had nothing left

The Ass in the Lion’s Skin Indian Folk Tales All Ages

The Ass in the Lion’s Skin

The Ass In The Lions Skin: In a dense forest near a small Indian village, there lived a washerman named Dhobi who owned a tired old donkey. The poor donkey had

The Barbers Clever Wife Indian Folk Tales All Ages

The Barbers Clever Wife

The Barbers Clever Wife: In a vast and ancient forest in the heart of India, there lived four inseparable friends: a crow named Kala, a mouse named Chuhiya, a

The Bear’s Bad Bargain Indian Folk Tales All Ages

The Bear’s Bad Bargain

The Bears Bad Bargain: In a bustling town in ancient India, A bear struck a deal with a farmer but learned that greed leads to loss. This tale, beloved across

Ad Space (after-content)

Get a New Story Every Week!

Join thousands of parents and teachers who receive our hand-picked folk tales every Friday. Stories with morals your kids will love.

Free forever. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.