Folk tales are the essence of cultural wisdom, passed down through generations, capturing the morals and values of societies. Indian folk tales, in particular, are a colorful tapestry of short stories, often imbued with life lessons that are as relevant today as they were centuries ago. These stories are not just a source of entertainment for children but also a medium for instilling ethical values. In this exploration, we will delve into five such Indian folk tales, each a gem with a moral that resonates with both the young and the old.
Top 5 Indian Folktales Stories With Moral Lessons
- The Clever Rabbit and the Foolish Lion
- The Four Friends and the Hunter
- The Wise Old Bird
- The Monkey and the Crocodile
- The King and the Foolish Monkey
One of the most famous folk tales that story-tellers recount is that of the clever rabbit and the foolish lion. In an Indian forest, a ferocious lion began hunting all the animals, creating an atmosphere of fear. The animals decided to make a deal with the lion, promising to send one animal per day to be his meal, sparing the rest. The turn came for a clever little rabbit to be offered to the lion. Realizing its imminent doom, the rabbit devised a plan.
The rabbit took its time reaching the lion, who was by now furious with hunger and anger. Upon arrival, the rabbit apologised and explained that another lion had claimed to be the ruler of the forest, delaying the rabbit. The furious lion demanded to be taken to this impostor. The clever rabbit led the lion to a well and pointed at the reflection in the water, saying, “There he is!” In a fit of rage, the lion jumped into the well and drowned.
Moral: This Indian folk tale moral story imparts the lesson that wit and intelligence can overcome might. It’s a classic example of brain over brawn, an invaluable lesson for children to learn that physical strength isn’t everything.
This is an enchanting Indian folk tale short story that tells of four friends – a deer, a crow, a mole, and a tortoise. They lived in harmony in the forest and cared for each other deeply. One day, a hunter trapped the deer. The other three friends decided to help. The crow flew up to the sky to keep an eye on the hunter’s movements. The mole quickly dug a hole to hide the deer, and the tortoise posed on a rock, pretending to be a juicy meal for the hunter.
The hunter, distracted by the tortoise, went to capture it, allowing the deer to escape from the hiding. As he reached for the tortoise, the crow swooped down and pecked him, and the mole created more holes to confuse him, leading to the tortoise’s escape as well.
Moral: This Indian folk tales story imparts the importance of friendship, teamwork, and the power of unity. It beautifully demonstrates that friends who work together can overcome any challenge.
In an Indian village, there lived a flock of birds on a mighty tree. One day, an old and wise bird warned the others that a hunter had laid traps around their tree. The old bird advised that they should fly away and make a home elsewhere. However, the other birds, too complacent in their current home, ignored the warning. As fate would have it, they were soon caught in the traps.
When the hunter arrived, he was surprised to find the wise old bird had not been trapped. The bird explained that those who don’t heed to caution and wisdom are bound to face consequences, while those who do, survive and thrive.
Moral: This Indian folk tales story highlights the importance of prudence and the readiness to act upon wise counsel. It’s a timeless message about the danger of complacency and the value of foresight.
A famous folk tales story is that of the monkey and the crocodile. A monkey lived on a berry tree on the banks of a river and became friends with a crocodile that lived in the river. The monkey would share delicious berries with the crocodile every day. One day, the crocodile took some berries for his wife, who, after tasting them, wanted to eat the monkey’s heart, believing it would be as sweet as the berries.
The crocodile, torn between friendship and love, reluctantly agreed to his wife’s demand. He invited the monkey to his home, plotting to kill him on the way. Sensing the crocodile’s changed behaviour, the monkey asked him the purpose of their journey, upon which the crocodile revealed his wife’s desire. Quick-witted, the monkey claimed that he had left his heart on the berry tree and convinced the crocodile to take him back to fetch it. Once ashore, the monkey escaped to safety.
Moral: The moral embedded in this Indian folk tales short story is the virtue of quick thinking in the face of deceit and betrayal. It teaches children that presence of mind can save one from tricky situations.
In an old Indian tale, a king had a pet monkey. This monkey was treated like a royal servant and was given liberties that no other animal had. However, this monkey was foolish and couldn’t differentiate between a helpful act and mischief. One afternoon, as the king slept with his head resting in the monkey’s lap, a fly began to trouble him. The monkey tried to shoo it away but to no avail.
Determined to protect the king, when the fly sat on the king’s face, the monkey picked up the king’s sword and, in an attempt to kill the fly, killed the king instead.
Moral: The lesson from this Indian folk tale’s moral story is that responsibility should be given only to those who have the wisdom to handle it. It speaks volumes about the necessity of understanding one’s limitations and capabilities.
Conclusion
Indian folk tales and short stories are not just the fireside entertainment of yesteryears but also serve as conduits of morals and values. These famous folk tales continue to offer a repository of wisdom through their simple yet profound narratives. They mirror the cultural richness and philosophical depth of India, capturing the imaginations of children and instilling moral values that lay the foundation for character development. Each story, with its unique characters and plot twists, brings with it a timeless moral, making Indian folk tales moral stories an essential part of children’s literature.
And as we cherish these tales and the lessons they carry, we also recognise the importance of early childhood education. EuroKids Preschool, with its commitment to nurturing young minds, forms the ideal setting for the seeds of these morals to be sown, helping children grow with the right blend of traditional wisdom and contemporary learning.
