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India

Folk tales from the diverse traditions of India.

360 stories found
Her Childhood Indian Folk Tales Ages 9-12

Her Childhood

A blue-eyed village girl who lives in books meets a songbird — then an empty nest — and learns that what we love may leave while love itself remains. Full unique literary short.

Charity Alone Conquers Hitopadesha All Ages

Charity Alone Conquers

Charity Alone Conquers: In ancient times, there lived a wealthy king who ruled over a prosperous kingdom. He had everything a man could desire - vast The

A Lac of Rupees for a Piece of Advice Indian Folk Tales All Ages

A Lac of Rupees for a Piece of Advice

A Lac of Rupees for a Piece of Advice: In a bustling town in ancient India, A merchant paid an enormous sum for a single piece of advice that saved his life.

A Lesson for Kings Indian Folk Tales All Ages

A Lesson for Kings

A Lesson for Kings: Long ago, in the prosperous kingdom of Magadha, there ruled a mighty king named Brahmadatta. He was powerful, commanding vast armies and

The Royal Thief-Catcher Indian Folk Tales All Ages

The Royal Thief-Catcher

The Royal Thief-Catcher: In a bustling town in ancient India, A king appointed a clever man to catch thieves, but the methods were unconventional. This tale

A Story Weaver by Chance: Interview with Vani Balaraman Indian Folk Tales

A Story Weaver by Chance: Interview with Vani Balaraman

Interview with Bengaluru storyteller Vani Balaraman on Pratham Books Champions, Cuddles and Reads, and finding storytelling while juggling a tech career.

Bopoluchi the Clever Girl Hitopadesha All Ages

Bopoluchi the Clever Girl

Bopoluchi the Clever Girl: Once upon a time, in a village in Punjab, there lived a girl named Bopoluchi who was known throughout the land for her quick wit and

The Bronze Ring Indian Folk Tales All Ages

The Bronze Ring

The Bronze Ring: There was once a poor young man who lived with his aged mother in a small hut at the edge of a great forest. Despite their poverty, they were

Brahma’s Wife and the Mongoose Indian Folk Tales All Ages

Brahma’s Wife and the Mongoose

Brahma's Wife and the Mongoose: Long ago, there lived a Brahman and his wife who had a pet mongoose. The mongoose was loyal and gentle, and the couple treated

A Clever Thief Indian Folk Tales All Ages

A Clever Thief

A Clever Thief: In the great city of Varanasi, during the reign of a wise but strict king, there lived a man known as Chatur, which means “the clever one.”

A Crow And His Three Friends Indian Folk Tales All Ages

A Crow And His Three Friends

A Crow And His Three Friends: In a lush forest that stretched from the foothills of the Vindhya mountains to the banks of a winding river, there lived a crow

The Two Brothers Indian Folktale Indian Folk Tales Ages 3-5

The Two Brothers Indian Folktale

The Two Brothers Indian Folktale: 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’