Folktale Stories With Moral Lessons for Kids

Children’s English folktales are well-known tales that have been passed down through the centuries to children. These are oral tales, not written ones, that people share. Children’s folktales cover a variety of life topics. The stories of folktales might contain heroes, magic, villains, and happy and sad moments.

However, have you ever attempted to listen to folktales from India? If not, we will now provide you with a summary of five amazing Indian folktales that include moral lessons to be learned. Let’s start with the folktales.

What are Folktales?

“Characteristically anonymous, timeless, and placeless tale passed orally among different people” is the definition of folk stories. Folktales are stories that are told orally, as opposed to in writing, and are part of the oral heritage. They have strong ties to numerous storytelling customs, such as fairy tales, myths, and fables. Every human community has its folktales, which are well-known narratives that are passed down through the years and serve as a vital source of historical context, knowledge, and information.

This is a list of children’s moral-rich, short folktales. Children who appreciate these well-known folktales might read them with morals to gain respect for the stories’ portrayed characters.

Sl. No	Name of the story
1	The Brahmarâkshas and the Hair
2	The Wedding of the Mouse
3	The Story of Akbar and Birbal
4	Tenali Rama Story
5	Vikram Betaal Story – Strange Decision:
6	The Clever Rabbit and the Foolish Lion
7	The Four Friends and the Hunter
8	The Wise Old Bird
9	The Monkey and the Crocodile
10	The King and the Foolish Monkey

10 Folktale Stories With Moral Lessons for Kids

Let’s read every story and learn life lessons one by one.

1. The Brahmarâkshas and the Hair

A landowner who lived in a village had the ability to summon Brahmarakhshas to serve him; yet, the Brahmarakhshas needed constant employment to avoid causing mayhem. He completed the difficult and time-consuming duties the landlord gave him quickly. The landlord started worrying about how to get rid of the Brahmarakhshas as he couldn’t find any employment to keep them busy.

Next, the landlord requested that a long, curly hairpiece be straightened by the Brahmarakhshas. The Brahmarakhshas attempted for days but were unsuccessful. The hair swiftly vanished without a trace after he put it in the fire to straighten it. The Brahmarakhshas fled, distraught that he was unable to style his master’s hair.

Moral: This tale supports the belief that driving evil spirits away from a tree by fastening a handful of hair to it.

2. The Wedding of the Mouse

A hermit once used his supernatural power to save a mouse’s life and transform her into a stunning girl. When the girl reached marriageable age, the hermit went one-by-one to propose to the tall mountain, the wide cloud, the strong wind, and the powerful sun. However, the girl turned down each proposal, giving different explanations.

At last, the hermit, with his power piercing through the mountain, approached a mouse. The girl accepted the mouse’s marriage proposal as soon as she heard it. Once more, the recluse transformed the girl into a mouse and set up the union.

Moral: The underlying message of this story is that it is hard to change the in-born characteristics of someone.

3. The Story of Akbar and Birbal

Once, King Akbar misplaced a ring and thought that one of his courtiers had taken it, but he was unable to identify and apprehend the offender. He requested that Birbal crack the case. In court, Birbal declared that he was aware of the ring’s theft. Birbal informed the king that the courtier with the straw in his beard was the one who had taken the king’s ring when the monarch questioned him about the identify of that individual. The guilty courtier felt instantly for the straw in his beard. Birbal recognized him as the offender right away and pointed at him.

Moral: The narrative illustrates how a guilty person never wants to be discovered.

4. Tenali Rama Story

The Vijayanagar court’s Rajguru harbored a deep animosity for those from lower castes. “I will be born as a donkey in my next life if I look at these lower caste people,” he reportedly said to Tenali Rama. After being severely offended by Rajguru’s discriminating actions, Tenali Rama made the decision to correct him.

One day, King Krishnadev walked through the streets with his courtiers and the royal procession. Tenali Rama came onto a herd of donkeys while traveling. He began bending down in front of those donkeys right away. Astonished, Krishnadev questioned Teanali Rama about the motivation for her actions. “I am paying respect to Rajguru’s ancestors, who had mistakenly looked at people of lower castes,” Tenali retorted. Rajguru recognized that Tenali Rama was attempting to communicate with him. Rajguru quit discriminating against members of lower castes after realizing his error.

Moral: This tale conveys that it is wrong to discriminate against people based on their caste.

5. Vikram Betaal Story – Strange Decision

Sona, the gorgeous daughter of King Rajendra and Queen Prema, mastered the sword and bow and arrow. The monarch wanted Sona to marry him when she was of marriageable age, but Sona chose to wed the person who could best her in sword and bow combat. Numerous princes came to battle with her, but Sona overcame them, forcing them to retreat in defeat. A young man by the name of Uday liked to observe Sona spar with other people and eventually picked up the strategies Sona used to vanquish her opponents.

He advanced and easily vanquished Sona. When the King questioned Uday about his training, he said that Sona had taught him the skills and methods. However, Sona refused to wed this man, and Uday acknowledged it as well. After Uday vanquished Sona, the Betal questioned King Bikram about why Sona did not wed him. The monarch retorted that Sona had become Uday’s teacher since Uday had picked up her methods and approaches. It is culturally understood that a teacher cannot marry a student.

Moral: The story leaves a beautiful message: if you learn anything from anyone, you should consider them as your Guru or teachers.

6. The Clever Rabbit and the Foolish Lion

Storytellers often retell the well-known folktale of the cunning rabbit and the foolish lion. A vicious lion started stalking every animal in an Indian forest, instilling terror. The animals came to an agreement with the lion, offering to send him one animal per day as food in exchange for sparing the others. When it was time, a cunning tiny rabbit was presented to the lion. The rabbit, seeing its impending demise, came up with a scheme.

By the time the rabbit arrived at the lion, he was already enraged and hungry. When the rabbit finally arrived, he apologized and told how another lion had delayed him by claiming to be the forest’s master. The enraged lion insisted on being brought to this forger. After guiding the lion to a well, the cunning rabbit said, “There he is!” pointing to the reflection in the water. The lion plunged into the well out of fury and perished.

Moral: The moral of this Indian folktale is that brains and wit can triumph over strength. It’s a great illustration of brains over brute force and a priceless lesson for kids to learn that strength isn’t everything.

7. The Four Friends and the Hunter

Four friends—a deer, a crow, a mole, and a tortoise—are the subject of this charming little Indian folktale. They had a close relationship and coexisted peacefully in the jungle. The deer was caught one day by a hunter. The trio of buddies made the decision to assist. In order to monitor the hunter’s movements, the crow took to the sky. The tortoise pretended to be a succulent meal for the hunter while perched on a rock, while the mole swiftly built a burrow to conceal the deer.

The deer managed to get out of hiding when the hunter became sidetracked and went after the tortoise instead of pursuing it. The crow flew down and gave him a peck as he reached for the tortoise, and the mole.

Moral: The value of friendship, cooperation, and the strength of togetherness are conveyed in this Indian folktale. It elegantly illustrates how friends who stick together can conquer any obstacle.

8. The Wise Old Bird

A large tree in an Indian village was home to a group of birds. An elderly and knowledgeable bird alerted the others one day that a hunter had set traps near their tree. The elderly bird suggested that they take off and find a new home. But the other birds disregarded the warning, too comfortable in their present dwelling. Eventually, as fate would have it, they fell victim to the traps.

The hunter was shocked to see that the elderly, intelligent bird was not imprisoned when he arrived. The bird clarified that people who disregard caution and wisdom would inevitably suffer the repercussions, but those who do will live long and prosper.

Moral: This tale from Indian folklore emphasizes the value of caution and being willing to follow good advice. It sends a timeless lesson about the importance of forethought and the peril of complacency.

9. The Monkey and the Crocodile

The story of the monkey and the crocodile is a well-known folktale. A crocodile that resided in the river made friends with a monkey that lived on a berry tree near it. Every day, the monkey would give the crocodile some tasty berries. After enjoying some berries one day, the crocodile gave them to his wife, who insisted on eating the monkey’s heart since she thought it would be just as sweet.

The crocodile unwillingly complied with his wife’s request, divided between friendship and affection. While planning to murder the monkey en route to his house, he invited him to stay. The crocodile confessed his wife’s wish to the monkey when the latter noticed a difference in the crocodile’s behavior and asked why they were traveling. With a quick mind, the monkey persuaded the crocodile to accompany him back to get his heart, which he claimed to have left on the berry tree. The monkey escaped to safety after making landfall.

Moral: The value of fast thinking in the face of treachery and betrayal is the moral enshrined in this short narrative based on Indian folklore. It teaches kids that being mindful of oneself can help one avoid difficult situations.

10. The King and the Foolish Monkey

An old Indian story told of a monarch who had a pet monkey. This monkey received privileges not afforded to any other animal and was treated like a royal servant. But this silly monkey was unable to distinguish between mischief and beneficial behavior. A fly started to bother the monarch one day as he slept with his head resting in the monkey’s lap. The monkey made an unsuccessful attempt to chase it away.

When the fly settled on the king’s face, the monkey, determined to save his master, grabbed the king’s sword and, in an effort to slay the fly, accidentally killed the monarch.

Moral: The moral of this Indian folktale is that only those with the maturity to manage responsibility should be granted it. It says a lot about how important it is to be aware of one’s own strengths and weaknesses.

FAQs on Folktale Stories With Moral Lessons for Kids

What are moral lessons in folktales?

Folktales are a great way to teach moral lessons and build character, especially for younger audiences. They impart virtues like patience, harmony, acceptance, sincerity, and honesty. Folktales were didactic and morality-laden and employed as a means of acculturation in traditional African civilizations.

What is a folktale story for kids?

Stories known as folktales are transmitted orally from one generation to the next. Real folktales aren’t written by just one person. Over time, they change based on what various individuals tell them. They are therefore products of “the folk,” or the people. Folktales date back a long way.

What can children learn from folktales?

Through the conversations and acts of characters, they are taught life values and how to negotiate. Through these, the kids will gain knowledge about their own social and cultural values, which will improve the way their emotions and sense of self-worth develop as they consider, question, and decide what to do.

How do folktales teach lessons?

Folktales served as role models and a means of reinforcing expectations about what it meant to live a meaningful life as they were passed down through the generations. Over time, compassion, ingenuity, bravery, and trustworthiness were gradually woven into the narratives of folktales.

Name some famous folklores.

Some Famous folklores are Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Ugly Duckling, Hansel and Gretel, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Rumpelstiltskin, Three Little Pigs, and Cinderella.