Kindness & Compassion
Stories that make care, mercy or refusal to help central to the plot. A meal, shelter, patient attention or a rescued animal can change the course of events. Consider the recipient’s needs as well as the helper’s intentions, and distinguish freely offered care from pressure to accept harm or forgive abuse.
Grimm's Fairy Tales
Ages 9-12
Snow-White and Rose-Red
Two kind sisters share their cottage with a winter bear, thrice rescue a spiteful dwarf—and learn their guest was a prince under a spell.
Grimm's Fairy Tales
Ages 6-8
Hans in Luck
Hans trades his silver wages for a horse, cow, pig, goose, and grindstones—then thanks Heaven when the heavy stones sink in the river.
Chinese Folk Tales
The Kindly Magician
A spendthrift saved three times by a mysterious old man must keep perfect silence while the old man brews the elixir of life, whatever visions come.
Russian Folk Tales
Father Frost
Father Frost showers a patient stepdaughter with furs and a silver-trimmed sarafan for her gentle words, while her rude stepsister's temper costs her dearly.
Japanese Folk Tales
The Farmer and the Badger
A wicked badger tricks and kills a farmer’s trusting wife, and a loyal rabbit punishes him with burning grass, a pepper salve and a boat of clay.
Indian Folk Tales
Wali Dad the Simple-Hearted
A poor old grass-cutter spends his life savings on a gold bracelet for a princess he has never met, and his gift sets off a chain of ever grander presents.
Indian Folk Tales
Charity Alone Conquers
A kind prince keeps forgiving the cruel friend who blinded him and left him for dead, until that friend’s own wicked schemes catch up with him in the end.
Indian Folk Tales
The Rat’s Wedding
A Rat's helpful gifts become ever larger demands until he claims a human bride. Her return to her family ends his boasts with a cruel punishment.
Indian Folk Tales
The Faithless Wife and the Ungrateful Blind Man
Abandoned in a forest, a blind man is rescued by a kind merchant and his wife, then repays them with a wicked lie that could cost them their lives.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Mr. Won’t-Give and Mr. Won’t-Leave
A miserly beggar-Brahmin tries to starve out a clinging guest; both husband and wife playact until the guest drops from the loft for dinner.
Indian Folk Tales
Good Will Grow Out of Good
A king orders a deadly trap after an untested accusation against an old Brahmin. A breakfast invitation changes who reaches the executioners first.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Eating Up the Protector
A snake threatens the Brahmin who rescues it, then reconsiders before he returns. A king uses the tale to recognize his own ingratitude.