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Pitara Kids Home > Talespin

Folktales

Introductions for Folktales from around the world: 1 to 10

Preparing for Winter

Mr Grasshopper played right through autumn. Unlike the others, he did not care about collecting food for the winter... Read on ...

The Shepherd's Mistake

The wolf sat on a large rock and watched the shepherd tend to his sheep every morning. What were its intentions? Read on ...

The Desert Creature

When the man saw a huge creature ambling about in the desert, he was scared to death of it. But as he observed the creature more closely, he found... Read on ...

An Unpleasant Smell

What would you do if your house was next door to that of a tanner and the smell was driving you mad? A money-lender found himself in a similar situation... Read on ...

The Apple Tree

The apple tree had stopped bearing fruit but it provided shelter to many squirrels, sparrows and grasshoppers. One day, the farmer decided to cut the tree down... Read on ...

The Mighty

A big tree and a little plant stood side by side at the edge of a forest. One big and strong, spread itself out. The other, delicate and willowy, bent under the slightest touch of breeze. Read on ...

Appearances are Deceptive

Bina the ant came across the most curious creature she had ever seen in her life. All bandaged up, it had a tiny tail sticking out... Read on ...

The Donkey monkeys Around

Gopu the donkey was eating his lunch peacefully when he found Shikari, the wolf, eyeing him. What could Gopu do to save himself? Read on ...

The Lion's Share

The ass, fox and lion made a deal that they would hunt together, and divide the game among themselves. After the hunt, the ass divided the booty into three equal shares... Read on ...

The Palm Reader

Hari Prasad could read palms and foresee futures. But why could he not foresee his own? Read on ...

River Talk

The rivers resented flowing into the sea because their waters would then lose their sweetness and become salty. So what would the solution be? Read on ...

The Doctor who 'did not' Cure!

A doctor promised a sightless old woman that he would cure her. So why did she refuse to pay his fees inspite of getting cured? Read on ...

The Crane's Walk

The crab felt that her son had a very awkward walk. She wanted him to walk like the crane... Read on ...

The Leap

The traveller claimed to have tried everything - from being a magician to an acrobat to a hunter. And then he bragged about his leap... Read on ...

The 'Groom'ed Horse

Chetak, a really fine-looking stallion, was his owner's pride. He looked even more splendid when a groom was hired to take care of him. But was he really being well-cared for? Read on ...

The Lion Cub

All the animals were convinced that each one had the largest and the best brood. So they went to the lioness for counsel. Read on ...

Abdullah's Gold

The town's biggest miser converted his life's earnings to a lump of gold and placed it in a hole. He went to check on it daily. And then... Read on ...

Tail-cut!

Everyone knows what a hair cut is, any clues about a tail-cut? A fox loses his tail in a trap and tries to convince others that he has had a tail-cut. Did the others believe him, though? Read on ...

The Eagle and the Arrow

Eagle had a nasty side to him and teased all the other birds, till one day he learned the lesson of his life... Read on ...

The Favour

When Lalu the wolf has a chicken bone stuck in his throat, none of the other animals is willing to help him. Except for mother crane. Read on ...

Dream Palace

Krishnadeva Rai dreamt of a palace floating in air. He wanted it to be made. The harried courtiers approached Tenali Rama for help… Read on ...

The Travellers

The wandering merchants were sure it was a ship that they saw far away in the distance. But when it came closer they saw... Read on ...

Tiger Move

When Ethoa overheard that the boy destined to die on the eve of his marriage, was none other than his nephew, he was determined to prevent the death... Read on ...

A Tale of Two Sons

A businessman favoured his younger son over the elder one. While the older son could do nothing right, the younger one could do nothing wrong… Read on ...

Tenali Rama the Messenger

Tenali Rama was King Krishnadeva Rai's favourite courtier. Until the day a jealous courtier convinced the king to question his loyalty to him… Read on ...

Tenali Rama and the Brinjal

Tenali Rama was invited to savour the tastiest brinjal (aubergine) from the king's garden. Trouble began when he told his wife about it… Read on ...

Tenali Rama and the Jinx

Ramaya was known as 'the Jinx' in Vijaynagar; anyone who saw him first thing in the morning, could not eat anything at all that day. King Krishnadeva Rai too became curious to try out the jinx on himself. Read on ...

What's for Dinner!

A little hen lived on the forest edge by herself and was happy too, until the day her neighbour, the fox, decided to have her for his dinner… Read on ...

How the Moon was Created

Long ago when the world was created there was just the sun but no moon. People worked all through as the sun never set. Then God divided time into night and day. But they faced one problem -- there was no light at night. Read on ...

The Instructor

A young man went to learn the art of sword fighting and so went to a famous instructor. The instructor had very unusual modes of teaching. Read on ...

How The Coconut Came To Myanmar

The Burmese believe that the coconut is actually the head of a mischief-maker. For if you shake the coconut, you can hear it gurgling, and the mischief-maker is still wanting to play a prank on you. Read on ...

The Elephant's Nose

An elephant child's maddening curiousity changed the elephant's nose forever. Read on ...

Learning to Act

A brilliant student had a learning bug. He just couldn't get enough of knowledge. Until a Zen Master showed him what he was doing with it. Read on ...

Silence is Golden

Talking a lot has no meaning and it exposes your ignorance. Speaking less but with meaning shows that you are wise and smart. Read on ...

Modesty Pays

The driver of the Prime Minister's chariot was very proud. But his wife didn't like his arrogance and pride and pointed out this fault. The driver was realised his mistake and quickly changed his ways. Read on ...

Qui Jun and the Arrogant Monk

Shan was a Chinese monk who had earned a great name for himself. But he was very arrogant. Qui Jun did not like that… Read on ...

A Crocodile Named Rain Cloud

The old fisherman found a crocodile egg in his net and took it home. He and his wife looked after the baby crocodile as their own child. But fate had other plans… Read on ...

The Jester and the Stranger's Language

The new visitor to the king's court could speak more than half a dozen languages but he refused to say where he was from. I will find that out, said the jester to the miffed king. Read on ...

The Boy and the Magic Brush

Soe Than was an orphan boy who worked hard and painted in his spare time. One day, a spirit gifted him a golden brush with which anything he drew turned real... Read on ...

The Jester and the Straw Roof

It was winter and the straw roof had become thin. Time to mend the roof, thought Gopal, the barber who was also a court jester. A jester and living under a leaky roof, scoffed his wife. Read on ...

The Harpist and the Princess

Thi Hah was an orphan boy who lived in the city of Mandalay, in Burma. When he played the harp, humans, birds and animals came under his spell and he would forget his hunger. But there was a magician who was jealous of his gift… Read on ...

The Court Jester and the Hilsa Fish

Maharaja Krishna Chandra, the King of Bengal, was furious. His people could not stop talking of the delicacy of all food delicacies - the hilsa fish! All this fish talk was so tiring, he told Gopal, the court jester. Read on ...

Stripes Tiger and the Boy

Rahul was walking down the village road when he saw a tiger trapped in a wooden cage. Let me out, pleaded the tiger, "I just want a drink of water." He promised not to harm Rahul… Read on ...

Why Monkeys Mean Trouble

The old woman fell down and with her fell the basket of sweets. "Look at the trouble I bought" wailed the woman. The monkey which tasted the sweet found it delicious and wanted more of it… Read on ...

The Elephants who Showed Off

There was a time when elephants has small, shiny and beautiful noses and they would turn them up at other animals. Sick of their vanity, a monkey decided to take action... Read on ...

The Boy and the Wolf

A boy saw a wolf passing by near his house. He knew that the wolf was a stranger to that place. He began to curse it loudly... Read on ...

Forgive and Forget?

A man went to his friend-turned-enemy for peace once. He suggested they become friends again. What did the other man say? Read on ...

The Sweet-Mad Hero

Newly married, shy Shyam was going to stay in his in-laws' house for the first time. "Don't talk too much and don't eat too much at their house," warned his friend. Read on ...

The Farmer and the Serpent

A cobra killed a farmer's son, and the angry farmer chopped off its tail as a result. In retaliation, the cobra began to kill all his cattle. The farmer was desperate... Read on ...

Town Mouse and Country Mouse

A town mouse invited her country cousin home for a visit. What happens next? Read on ...

The Wooden God

Bablu prayed religiously to the family god to change his fortune. Nothing happened, until the day he could bear it no more. . . Read on ...

How Monkeys Got their Red Bottoms

He was smart, talented and the girls loved him but the boys were jealous so they played a prank… Read on ...

How the Dragon Came to be

Hieun Tse the farmer was sad. No one bought rice from him anymore as Chi Yu had a magic bead. So he decided to steal it but Chi Yu woke up and swallowed the magic bead. What happens next?. . . Read on ...

The Frog King

The frogs in the marsh were happy until they decided to have a leader. They pestered God so much that he sent Kiki the stork. And life was never the same again… Read on ...

The Fox and the Goat

With a hearty meal inside him, Dabbu the fox was singing happily, looking skyward. And before he knew it he had fallen inside a well… Read on ...

Once they were Friends

Madri, the cat, and Ketki, the mouse, were friends. One day, they came across a jar of sweet butter... Read on ...

King of the Birds

Whoever flies highest shall be king, declared the birds of the jungle. Eagle was very sure he would win. But did he? Read on ...

When the Earth and Sky were Married

Some people believe that there was a time when the clouds and earth were husband and wife. Humans were very small, for they were sandwiched by the clouds wanting to be close to earth. Read on ...

How Humans Got Eyes

When God created humans he forgot to give them eyes. The Earth was beautiful but what was the point? Nobody could see all that beauty and feel happy. Read on ...

How Iron was Found?

Intupwa, the craftsman, was very sad. He could not cut wood. And all he had for tools were sharp stones. Then he dreamt about something called iron. Read on ...

How Stars Came into Being

When the son-in-law blew out smoke, the pipe crackled and sparks flew... Read on ...

The Ungrateful Friend

"Cure my eyes so that I can hunt again, and I will be your best friend," said the king of the forest to the human... Read on ...

The Honest Thief

Can a thief ever be honest? Find out in this tale of Bhairav, the cunning thief, who plans to rob the 'sadhus' at the temple ... Read on ...

Kallu Raven's Breakfast Treat

Kallu, the raven, was very greedy. He wanted to eat Nanni sparrow's kids. But, she turned out to be smarter than him... Read on ...

When Humans had Tails

There was a time when humans had tails. Wherever they went, their tails swished along, sweeping the ground... Read on ...

How the First House was Built

This happened a long, long time ago. Humans were as high as hens and rabbits and they lived under trees, suffering heat, wind, rain and cold... Read on ...

A Frog's Friendship

There was a time when the Frog had thick legs and he lived on land. He was so very different from the frogs that we see today, with their thin spindly legs and their watery homes. Read on ...

The Fox and the Grapes

Fitru fox was not wearing his sports shoes that day but he would manage. The thought of biting into the juicy grapes was so, so very tempting... Read on ...

The Thirsty Crow

Kancharam, the crow, was flying back from Gujarat after attending a friend's wedding. On the way, he felt very thirsty... Read on ...

The Girl who Taught the World to Weave

When humans first walked the earth, they did not wear clothes. They did not know how to, until a girl called Hambrumai taught them how... Read on ...

The Story of Big Ears

There was a time when humans had huge ears....A beautiful picture story book. Read on ...

And Elephants did Fly

A long time ago, elephants could fly. But then, they became such a big nuisance... Read on ...

The Dog and the Pig

A story of how man got deceived by the story of the cunning dog and made the animal his best friend... Read on ...

The Foolish Thief

It was a full moon night and the thief was in a mood to steal. But he did not know that he was in for a rude shock indeed! Read on ...

The Rumour

The Nagin or female serpent had a big heart. She decided to help the Queen. She did not know then that her action would change her whole life... Read on ...

Shebu and Moonmoon, the Long Haired Goat

In the small village of Johri, by the foothills of Mussoorie, lived an old man and his wife. They had a simpleton for a son. He was a gentle lad. His name was Shebu. Read on ...

How Man and Dog Became Friends

There they were - two little pups crying for their mother. She had just been killed by the Deer. They decided to take revenge on the Deer. Read on ...

The Rich Man's Vessels

All the villagers borrowed vessels from the rich man on occasions. Once a villager returned more vessels than he had borrowed. "The vessels were pregnant, they had kids," he said. Read on ...

The Priest, the Tiger and the Jackal

It doesn't take long for the priest to figure out that he's in trouble when he lets out a tiger from a cage. As the striped terror prepares to make a quick meal of the helpful brahmin, the shrewd priest strikes a deal... Read on ...

The Golden Fish

On an island in the Bay of Bengal, lived the old man and woman. They were very poor. The man made nets and caught fish for their daily meal... Read on ...

The King and the Squirrel

The king is the wealthiest and most learned person in his kingdom. Yet it takes a little, boastful squirrel to teach him that noticing the vanity of others is to lose one’s own peace of mind. Read on ...

The Angry King

There was once a wise king who helped his people in growing the finest tobacco in the land. Then he went for a long voyage. His people lived as he had advised, but one day things changed... Read on ...

The Priest's Successor

There was once a famous temple in the hills of Assam. When the much respected priest grew old he searched for a younger priest who could take charge of the temple after him. Read on ...

The Horse's Revenge

A horse and a buffalo lived in a meadow. They had plenty of grass to eat and cool clear water to drink. They had been grazing together for many years and had become good friends. Until, one year, when there was no rain... Read on ...

The Ridge Forest

He reached for his gun and took aim. Then he noticed that the bear was walking on a thin ledge. If he shot the animal now, it would fall into the deep gorge and would be of no use to him... Read on ...

The Mouse Who Lived in the Lion's Cave

The lion lived in a dark cave. A little mouse lived there too. She would wait for him to fall asleep, and then come out to eat the leftovers. Gradually she lost her fear of the lion... Read on ...

The Lazy Brahmin

Khushi the lazy Brahmin always depended on alms for food. On the day he did not get alms, he preferred to starve than work for a meal Read on ...

The Bed Bug and the Mosquito

The bed bug lived on a huge bed with his equally large family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The huge, beautiful bed belonged to the king of the country. Read on ...

The Singing Donkey

Bhola the donkey and Bijli the fox were good friends. One night while exploring the countryside they discovered a cucumber farm.... Read on ...

The Wise Doves

The doves in the jungle were very hungry. They set out to find food. After flying for a long time they suddenly spy grains on the ground below..... Read on ...

The Mango Charm

Bholu knew how to cast a spell on mango trees. Keshav watched Bholu perform the miracle and wanted to be his disciple..... Read on ...

The Troublesome Slippers

Abukashan was notorious because he would not give up his completely worn-out slippers ... Whatever happens, happens for the best... Read on ...

Whatever Happens, Happens for the Best...

Old man Sthira lived alone in the village. His son was stuying far away. And all the villagers sympathised with him... Read on ...

War Drum

Mukabla, the Jackal was very sad. He had not eaten for many days and he was very, very hungry indeed... Read on ...

Flying Turtle

There was a large pond in the middle of a jungle. Many animals came there to drink water. And the turtle which lived there was friendly with two cranes... Read on ...

Monkey Business

A temple was being built in a town. There were many different workmen busy with their work. Read on ...

Once they were Friends

Madri, the cat, and Ketki, the mouse, were friends. One day, they came across a jar of sweet butter... Read on ...

Two Fish and a Frog

There were three friends -- Multiwit, Centiwit and Uniwit. But who is the cleverest? Enjoy this witty tale from the Panchatantra. Read on ...