Short Stories for Kids

Short Stories are always the part of our life. Do you remember that time when our grandmothers and mothers used to tell us the stories of prince and princess and we used to reach to the castle imagining ourselves as prince or princess and at the same time the wish of our grandmothers or mothers came true and we slept always.

?Cocoon and the Butterfly:

Many of us know that a beautiful and colourful butterfly comes from an unappealing worm! Here is the story of a butterfly that was never able to live its life as a normal butterfly. One day, a man saw a cocoon. He loved butterflies and had a craze for its wonderful combination of colours.

In fact, he used to spend a lot of time around butterflies. He knew how a butterfly would struggle to transform from an ugly caterpillar into a beautiful one. He saw the cocoon with a tiny opening. It meant that the butterfly was trying to make its way out to enjoy the world. He decided to watch how the butterfly would come out of the cocoon. He was watching the butterfly struggling to break the shell for several hours.

He spent almost more than 10 hours with the cocoon and the butterfly. The butterfly had been struggling very hard for hours to come out through the tiny opening. Unfortunately, even after continuous attempts for several hours, there was no progress. It seemed that the butterfly had tried its best and could not give any more try. The man, who had a passion and love for butterflies, decided to help the butterfly.

He got a pair of scissors and tweaked the cocoon to make larger opening for the butterfly and removed the remaining cocoon. The butterfly emerged without any struggle! Unfortunately, the butterfly looked no longer beautiful and had a swollen body with small and withered wings.

The man was happy that he had made the butterfly come out of the cocoon without any more struggles. He continued to watch the butterfly and was quite eager to see it fly with its beautiful wings. He thought that at any time, the butterfly might expand its wings, shrink the body and the wings could support the body. Unfortunately, neither did the wings expand nor the swollen body reduce.

Unfortunately, the butterfly just crawled around with withered wings and a huge body. It was never able to fly. Although the man did it with a good intention, he did not know that only by going through struggles the butterfly can emerge to be beautiful, with strong wings.

The continuous effort from the butterfly to come out of its cocoon would let the fluid stored in the body be converted into wings. Thus, the body would become lighter and smaller, and the wings would be beautiful and large. If we don’t want to undergo any struggle, we won’t be able to fly!

Struggles make us shine!

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?Fools:

It was a cold and silent night. The weather was freezing cold. A group of monkeys were on a tree. They were clinging to its branches. One of the monkeys said, “I wish we could find some fire. It will help us to keep warm.” Suddenly they noticed a flock of fireflies. One of the young monkeys thought it was fire. He caught a firefly.

He put it under a dry leaf and started blowing at it. Some other monkeys also joined in his efforts. In the meanwhile, a sparrow came flying to its nest which was on the same tree the monkeys were sitting on. She noticed what they were doing. The sparrow laughed. She said, “Hey silly monkeys, that is a firefly, not real fire.

I think all of you should take shelter in a cave.” The monkeys did not listen to the sparrow. They continued to blow at the poor firefly. After some time, the monkeys became very tired. Now they realized that what the sparrow had said was correct.

They set free the firefly and moved to a nearby cave. 

 

 

 

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?The value of a copper coin:

Mahatma Gandhi, honoured as the father of India, was a very special person. The following story illustrates one of the reasons for him to be called ‘Mahatma’ (great soul). Once, Gandhi was on an expedition to collect funds from various cities and villages for an organization to help the poor.

He went to several places and finally reached Orissa. He organized a meeting in Orissa. There, he gave a speech to the public, requesting them to give him funds for the organization. At the end of his speech, a very old woman with bent back, tattered clothing, white hair, and shrunken skin got up.

She requested the volunteers to allow her to reach Gandhi. However, the volunteers stopped her. She did not give up. She fought with them and reached Gandhi. She touched the feet of Gandhi. Then she took out a copper coin kept in the folds of her saree and placed it at his feet. Then the old lady left the stage.

Gandhi very carefully took the coin. The treasurer of the organization for the poor asked Gandhi for the copper coin, but he refused to give it. “I keep cheques worth thousands of rupees,” said the treasurer. “Yet you won’t trust me with a copper coin!” Gandhi said, “This copper coin is worth much more than those thousands. If a man has several lakhs and he gives away a thousand or two, it doesn’t mean much.

” Yes, the coin might have been the only thing that the poor old woman possessed. She did not even have proper clothes and could not afford good food. Still she gave everything she had. That is why Gandhi regarded the coin as very precious.

Offering help when we have nothing or very little makes it more valuable

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?Abc learns a lesson:

Abc is a middle aged man. Although he was born in a poor family, he was raised well by his father and mother. His father owned a welding shop, and used to work for more than 12 hours a day, so that his family could lead a comfortable life. However, abc’s father could not earn sufficient money to provide a decent life to his family. abc was an average student in school, and used to score around 70 percent marks.

abc’s dream was to become a doctor. Since his marks weren’t very high, he could not get the desired course that he wanted to study. Instead, he joined a bachelor’s degree course, completed the course successfully, and got a job in a company. While his life was going on with no dramatic change, his father continued to work in his welding shop, so that he did not have to depend on abc.

After getting a permanent job, abc’s parents wanted him to marry. He got married to a girl from his native town, and at the same time was also promoted in his job. After a few years, his wife gave birth to beautiful twin boys. Later, abc began to earn a handsome salary, and started to live luxuriously.

He bought a new house and a new car. Some of the luxuries were really unnecessary. Although his company provided him with a car, abc purchased a new car! After an extravagant life that spanned almost 6 to 7 years, abc was neither able to manage all the household expenses, nor pay for the children’s education and other basic necessities.

It so happened that abc’s father fell sick, and as a result, could not continue his work in the welding shop. He requested abc to give some money for his treatment and other household expenses. abc, who was already suffering from financial crisis, shouted at his parents and told them that he had no money to provide. He complained to his parents, “You never sent me to a big school. I was not provided with expensive clothes.

You rarely fed me with my favorite food. I was not able to taste different varieties of food. When I got low marks you didn’t have enough money to provide me with private tuition, and it took me more than 10 years to get settled. Now, while I am again struggling for money, you are not doing anything to help me, but instead are a burden to me! So, please don’t come to me again.

” His parents were left shattered. After a week, while abc was on an official tour, he met a small boy aged about 10 years selling toys. The boy requested abc to buy something. abc asked the boy why he was selling toys instead of studying. The boy replied, “My father met with an accident a year ago and he lost one hand. He cannot work now. My mother works as a maid in a few houses.

I’m helping my parents by selling these toys. I go to school in the morning, and sell toys in the evenings. I work for 3 hours a day and study at night!” abc purchased a few toys from the little boy. He thought about what the boy had said. He realized that he had been wrong in the way he treated his parents.

He had learnt a lesson from the small boy. At a very small age, this boy was helping his parents, but abc, in order to meet the demands of his lavish lifestyle, had neglected his parents. So, what can we learn from abc and this poor, small boy?

Respect is the foundation of love, and it is our duty to take care of our parents, when we get older and mature.

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?Sand and Stone:

John and James were best friends. They fought for many reasons, but never gave up their friendship. They went in search of a job and visited many places to earn some money. They passed through various places, villages, towns, forests, and beaches. They supported each other throughout their journey. One day, they reached a desert. They had a very little food and water.

John said that they should save the food and water for later use. However, James disagreed. He wanted to drink water, as he was very thirsty. They quarrelled with each other for water. John slapped James, and they walked in silence. James wrote on the sand, “My best friend slapped me!” Finally, they reached an oasis. They were very happy, and had a lot of fun in the water.

While they both were bathing, James was a bit careless and began to drown. John rushed to him and saved him. James hugged his friend and thanked him. They had a little nap and decided to leave the place. When they were about to leave, James carved something on the rock.

It was “My best friend saved my life!” He said to John, “When you slapped me, I recorded it on sand. The wind would have blown it away by now. However, when you saved my life, I recorded it on rock. It will remain there forever.”

We have to forget the bad things and cherish the good things done to us.

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? The Goose with the Golden Eggs:

Once upon a time, a man and his wife had the good fortune to have a goose which laid a golden egg every day. Lucky though they were, they soon began to think they were not getting rich fast enough. They imagined that if the bird is able to lay golden eggs, its insides must be made of gold.

And they thought that if they could get all that precious metal at once, they would get mighty rich very soon. So the man and his wife decided to kill the bird. Goose with the Golden Eggs StoryHowever, upon cutting the goose open, they were shocked to find that its innards were like that of any other goose!

THINK BEFORE YOU ACT

 

 

 

 

 

 

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?The Monkey and the Dolphin:

One day long ago, some sailors set out to sea in their sailing ship. One of them brought his pet monkey along for the long journey. When they were far out at sea, a terrible storm overturned their ship. Everyone fell into the sea, and the monkey was sure that he would drown. Suddenly a dolphin appeared and picked him up.

They soon reached the island and the monkey came down from the dolphin’s back. The dolphin asked the monkey, “Do you know this place?” The monkey replied, “Yes, I do. In fact, the king of the island is my best friend. Do you know that I am actually a prince?” Knowing that no one lived on the island, the dolphin said, “Well, well, so you are a prince! Now you can be a king!”

The monkey asked, “How can I be a king?” As the dolphin started swimming away, he answered, “That is easy. As you are the only creature on this island, you will naturally be the king!”

Those who lie and boast may end up in trouble.

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? Little Boy and Wise Old Man:

Once in village lived a little boy who was very athletic and for whom winning was most important. One day, that boy participated in running competition held in village. In that competition he competed with other two young boys. Race commenced, crowd cheered and waved at him.

Boy called on his determination and strength, he won and came first. Little boy felt proud. Later second race was called and in this race two young and fit challenger came forward and run in competition with little boy. Once again little boy finished first. Crowd was ecstatic and cheered and waved at that boy.

There an old man was watching all this. Little boy who felt proud and more important and started to plead, “Another race..!! Another race..!!” Seeing this wise old man stepped forward and with him he presented two new challengers. Among new challengers one was an frail old lady and other was blind man.

Little boy was confused and asked, “What’s this?? this is no race..!! Old man replied, “Race..!!” After all were set on starting line. Race started and boy was only one to finish that race, leaving two challengers standing at the starting line. Little boy raised his arms in delight but to his surprise this time no one from crowd was cheering and everyone was just looking at him silently.

“What happened?? Why are people not cheering??”, little boy asked old man. Old man replied, “Race again but this time finish altogether..” Little boy thought for a while and then again went to starting line and stood in middle of old lady and blind man. Then he took both of them by hand and started to walk slowly and at last crossed that finish line. This time at end of race crowd smiled and cheered and waved at end of race.

Little boy felt proud but still didn’t understand why crowd was not cheering him before but now when all three of them finished race together. So he asked old man about it. Old man replied, “Little boy, in this race you have won much more than what you won in any other race..!! You have won people’s respect..“

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?Coin for Someone Needy:

Once upon a time, lived a Sage who used to go from one place to other. Once he was passing through a street of capital city of a kingdom. On his way he found a coin on side of road. Sage picked it up and kept it. Sage used to live a simple life and had no use of that coin so he thought of giving it to someone in need.

He roamed through kingdom whole day but didn’t found even a single person who seemed unsatisfied or in need of money. At night he reached a rest area and spent his night there. Next morning he woke up and was doing his daily activities, King who was passing by that rest area saw him and ordered his soldiers to stop there.

King went to Sage and said, “I am going on war to win over another state so that my kingdom can be expanded.. Please bless me to be victorious..” Sage took out the coin he was holding on and gave it to King. King was confused at act of Sage and questioned, “Why did you gave me this coin?? What meaning of this??” Sage smiled and replied, “O great King..!!

Yesterday in morning while i was strolling in capital city, i found this coin on road side. I picked it up and decided to give it to someone needy. Whole day i walked around meeting people in city. With whomever i communicated, found that they are living happily and seemed satisfied with whatever they have and because of that i still have this coin.

Today, When King of this kingdom is going on for war because of desire to gain more and not satisfied with what he already have.. So i felt like person who needs this coin most is you, King of kingdom itself.. that’s why i gave it to you..” King realized his mistake. He thanked Sage for precious life lesson and decided not to go on war.

We all Desire to have more and because of that we Waste Chance of Enjoying what we Already have.. In order to Live a Happy and Healthy Life, We should Learn to be Happy with what we have

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?Kid’s Capability:

There was little kid who used to study in 5th grade. Everyone in his class thought that he was one of dumbest kid in his class. His grades were so less that he himself thought same. His report card showed his poor progress in his class but that didn’t bother him. He used to say to her mom, “It doesn’t matter very much..” His mother knew that her boy was not reaching his full potential at school.

So she set three rules for him to follow. No.1 He would be allowed to watch only two pre-selected TV shows per week. No.2 He had to finish his homework before he could watch any TV or play outside. No.3 He had to read two books from library each week and write a book report on each of them.

Kid was dismay at these new rules and tried very hard to talk his mother out of them but mother stood firm. Kid couldn’t think of disobeying his mother, so he had to follow those rules. Before long he saw the fruits of his labor, when he was the only one who knew an answer to a question the teacher asked the class.

All his classmates and teachers were surprised that a kid who used to get lowest score, was now able to correctly answer such hard questions. Kid was surprised himself and realized that his knowledge came from books he was reading. He began to surmise that if he could learn just a few facts from books at the library he could learn anything. Kid continued on his path of growth and became an academic leader in his school.

Kid had learned to read books and realized that he could channel his love for reading into learning. Mother knew what his boy was capable and decided not to settle for less and gave them a structure way they could do it. Boy who was thought to be dumbest kid of class in 5th grade became a world famous surgeon.That boy is Benjamin Carson who is now a famous and renowned neurosurgeon, author and politician.

Everyone has Capability.  One just need to Believe in it and Follow a Disciplined way to Utilize that Capability fully.

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?Creative Thinking:

Story 1: Card board Sign..!! Once a young man was passing by a street where he saw an old man sitting on road side begging for money. That old man was sitting there with an empty bowl in kept in front of him and a card board sign was kept beside that empty bowl.

On card board cut out it was written: “Blind – Please Help..!!” Young man noticed that despite it was rush hour and many people were passing by that old man yet no one was giving him any money. Young man felt very bad that no one was helping that old man or giving him any money.

So he went to that old man and took his card board in his hand. He then took out a thick marker pen out of his pocket and turned the cardboard sheet back-to-front and re-wrote the sign then went on her way. Old man noticed that someone was there writing something on the board but didn’t said anything.

Just in few minutes, that empty bowl was now filled with money. Old man noticed that and stopped a stranger and asked him what was written on that card board. Stranger replied, “It says.. – It’s a beautiful day. You can see it. I cannot..”

Moral: Our Choice of Words and Language can create Positive or Negative effect on other. If we Chose right words then we can Truly connect with people and Change their Views.

Story 2:

Unusual Test..!! Once a philosophy professor gave an unusual test to his class. He lifted his chair up and kept it on his table. Now he turned toward board and wrote, “Prove that this chair does not exist..” Whole class was surprised and confused yet all students started writing long complex explanations.

Among all there was one student who completed that test in a minute and handed paper to professor, attracting surprised glances from his classmates and the professor. Some days later class received their grades for the test and student who took just a minute to complete the test was announced the best answer. His answer was, “What chair??”

Moral: We tend to Think a lot. Sometimes Answers are just simple.

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?Doubts of Soldiers:

Once upon a time, A battle was going on in Japan. One army was greatly outnumbered by army men of enemy. General of army with small number of soldier was confident that they could win that battle and decided to launch an attack. He called upon his lieutenant and asked him to prepare soldiers for the next battle.

Lieutenant called all the soldiers and announced about the decision of General. Army men were ready to battle but they were filled with doubt knowing that they have been outnumbered by other army men. As commanded by General, Next day Lieutenant and all soldiers were all prepared to launch attack on enemy. General knew about doubts of soldiers. So on their way to battle General made a stop at a religious shrine.

After everyone prayed, General stood in front of all army men with a coin in his hand and said, “I shall now toss this coin. If it is heads, we shall win. If tails, we shall lose. Destiny will now reveal itself.” As general threw coin into the air, all watched intently as it landed on the ground. It was heads.

Soldiers were overjoyed and were filled with confidence. They continued their way to battle. On the battle ground they vigorously attacked at the enemy. At end they won the battle. After battle, Lieutenant congratulated General and remarked, “We won.. No one can change destiny..” “Quiet right..!!”, General replied as he showed the lieutenant the coin, which had heads on both sides.

Moral: If you question yourself and your Abilities then you are holding yourself back from Happiness and Success. Having Confidence and Encouragement can lead to more Positive result Rather than doing any Task keeping Doubts in Mind.

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