FOLKTALES | MORAL STORIES FOR KIDS ~ FOLK TALES: FAIRY TALES, LEGENDS, RIDDLES, MYTHS AND MORE!
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A tale from Panchatantra/Hitopdesha There was once a merchant who employed many carpenters and masons to build a temple in... -
Once upon a time, in a forest, there lived a monkey who resided on a jamoon (berry) tree, which...
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Once upon a time, there lived a poor Brahmin by the name of Swabhavakripna in a village. Swabhavakripna was...
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In the Molasses Belt is a city called Sugarcane City. In it lived two friends, a weaver and a carpenter....
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In the palace of a certain king stood an incomparable bed, blessèd with every cubiculary virtue. In a corner...
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A very rich merchant had several farmhouses in the country, where he bred every kind of cattle. This merchant understood...
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Bedtime Stories, Children's books, Famous Characters, Folktale, Must Reads, One Thousand and One Nights/Arabian NightsIn one of the large and rich cities of China there once lived a tailor named Mustapha. He was... -
Bedtime Stories, Children's books, Famous Characters, Must Reads, One Thousand and One Nights/Arabian Nights, Young AdultThere once lived in a town of Persia two brothers, one named Cassim and the other Ali Baba. Their...
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There was an emperor of Persia, named Khoonoo-shah. He often walked in disguise through the city, attended by a...
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When Dorothy and her little dog Toto are caught in a tornado, they and their Kansas farmhouse are suddenly...
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MOWGLI'S BROTHERS IT was seven o'clock of a very warm evening in the Seeonee hills when Father Wolf woke up...
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The Bodhisatta was at one time born in the region of Himavanta as a white crane; now Brahmadatta was...
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Aesop Fables, Bedtime Stories, Children's books, Fables, Fables of Bidpai, Hitopdesha, Must Reads, PanchatantraOnce upon a time, when Brahma-datta was reigning in Benāres, the future Buddha was born in a minister’s family;...
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In a country there was a Raja who had an only son who every day went out to hunt....
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There lived in a certain place a Brahman, whose name was Svabhavakripana, which means "a born miser." He had...
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Long ago the Bodisat was born to a forest life as the Genius of a tree standing near a...
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nce upon a time, a tiger was caught in a trap. He tried in vain to get out through...
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nce upon a time there lived seven brothers and a sister. The brothers were married, but their wives did...
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IN the time of Harun-er-Rashid there was, in Baghdad, a rich merchant named Sindbad the Sailor, the source of...
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Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife and his two children. The boy was...
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THE FOX AND THE GRAPES
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ONCE upon a time in the middle of winter, when the flakes of snow were falling like feathers from...
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'The Sleeping Beauty in the Woods' is a classic fairy tale about a princess that is cursed to sleep...
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THERE was once a Miller, who, at his death, had nothing to leave to his three sons except his...
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ONCE upon a time there lived a little girl, who was so sweet and pretty and good that everybody...
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THE GOOSE GIRL ONCE upon a time there lived an old Queen, whose husband had been dead some years, and...
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THERE was once a rich man, whose wife died, leaving him with one little girl. After some years, hoping...
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Once upon a time there lived a wood-cutter and his wife, who had seven children, all boys. The eldest was...
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A French Fairy Tale Once upon a time there lived a widow with two daughters. The elder was often mistaken...
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There was a man who had fine houses, both in town and country, a deal of silver and gold...
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IN the olden time, when wishing was having, there lived a King, whose daughters were all beautiful; but the...
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ONCE upon a time there were three Princesses, named Roussette, Brunette, and Blondine, who lived in retirement with their...
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SLEEPY JOHN Once there was a lad named John, and he used to go to sleep always and everywhere. One...
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THE TWELVE MONTHS Once upon a time there lived a mother who had two daughters. One was her own child,...
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THREE DOVES A certain merchant died. His son was nineteen years old at the time. He said to his mother:...
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THE BEAR, THE EAGLE, AND THE FISH Once there was a count and he had three daughters. All of them...
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KOJATA Once there was a king who had an only son. One day the king went to inspect his estates....
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SHEPHERD HYNEK To cut a long story short, there was a prince and he had three sons. The first two...
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THE THREE ROSES Once upon a time there was a mother who had three daughters. There was to be a...
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THE ENCHANTED PRINCESSES In the days of King Bambita, his two noble daughters oppressed the people, laying heavy taxes on...
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THE THREE BEARS HERE were once three bears who lived together in a little house in the middle of a...
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THERE was once a Merchant who had three daughters, the youngest of whom was so beautiful that everybody called...
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ONCE upon a time, when pigs could talk and no one had ever heard of bacon, there lived an...
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There was a king who had twelve beautiful daughters. They slept in twelve beds all in one room; and...
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Riquet with the Tuft There was, once upon a time, a Queen, who was brought to bed of a son,...
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The Ridiculous Wishes In days long past there lived a poor woodcutter who found life very hard. Indeed, it was...
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IT was beautiful in the country. It was summertime. The wheat was yellow, the oats were green, the hay...
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IT was dreadfully cold, it was snowing fast, and almost dark; the evening—the last evening of the Old Year—was...
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IN the reign of King Arthur there lived in the County of Cornwall a worthy farmer, who had an...
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JACK AND THE BEANSTALK JACK was an idle, lazy boy who would do no work to support his widowed mother;...
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DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT IN the reign of King Edward the Third there was a poor orphan boy, named...
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Story of the LAZY JACK Once upon a time there was a boy whose name was Jack, and he lived...
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Long, long ago, when Brahma-datta was reigning in Benāres, the Bodisat had come to life as a tree-god, dwelling...
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Sakka’s Presents Once upon a time, when Brahma-datta was reigning in Benāres, four brothers, Brāhmans, of that kingdom, devoted themselves...
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Once upon a time there was a king who had been at war for a long time with his neighbours....
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A story from Aesop Fables/Panchatantra t the same time, when Brahma-datta was reigning in Benares, the future Buddha was born...
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The Farmer and the Money-lender here was once a farmer who suffered much at the hands of a money-lender. Good...
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The Prince and the Fakir here was once upon a time a King who had no children. Now this King...
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Why the Fish Laughed s a certain fisherwoman passed by a palace crying her fish, the queen appeared at one...
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How Sun, Moon, and Wind went out to Dinner ne day Sun, Moon, and Wind went out to dine with...
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How the Wicked Sons were Duped. A very wealthy old man, imagining that he was on the point of death,...
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HOW THE CAMEL GOT HIS HUMP In the beginning of years, when the world was so new and all, and...
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Rudyard Kipling's brilliantly funny tale of How the Rhinoceros got his Skin of "Just so stories" series.
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There was once a man and a woman, who had long in vain wished for a child. At length, the...
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The Elves and the Shoemaker THERE was once a Shoemaker who, through no fault of his own, had become so...
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Gingerbread Man is a fast-paced folktale about a cake who runs away down and is chased by people and...
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THE BRAVE LITTLE TAILOR is a story of a man whose life radically changes after he kills seven flies...
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The Giant Crab Once upon a time there was a lake in the mountains, and in that lake lived a...
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The Hypocritical Cat Once upon a time there was a troop of Rats that used to live in holes by...
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Once upon a time there was a deep and wide river, and in this river lived a crocodile. I...
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The Axe, the Drum, the Bowl, and the Diamond Once upon a time there was a poor young man who...
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The Wise Parrot and the Foolish Parrot Once upon a time there was a man who had two pet parrots...
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The Dishonest Friend There was once a man who went on a journey, and he asked a friend to take...
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Once upon a time there was a Mouse, who made his hole in a place where there were thousands...
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The Monkeys and the Gardener Once upon a time there was a beautiful park, full of all manner of trees...
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The Foolish Farmer and the King Once there was a foolish Farmer, who had a son at court, serving the...
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Once there was a flood, and there was a large rock with a Wolf sleeping on the top. The...
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Birds of a Feather Once upon a time there was a big horse called Chestnut. He was as fierce as...
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Spend a Pound to Win a Penny Some people were steaming peas under a tree, in order to make a...
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The Cunning Crane and the Crab Once upon a time a number of fish lived in a little pool. It...
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Union is Strength There once was a clever Fowler who used to hunt quails. He could imitate the quail’s note...
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The bold beggar is a story about a man who had often see the king eat and thought...
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The Goblin City Long, long ago, in the island of Ceylon, there was a large city full of nothing but...
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Lacknose There was once a Gardener who had no nose, and he had a very nice garden full of beautiful...
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HIGH above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of the Happy Prince. He was gilded all over...
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One day a woodcutter lost his ax in a pond.He sat down by the water and said to himself, "What...
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THE FISHERMAN AND THE LITTLE FISH A poor Fisherman, who lived on the fish he caught, had bad luck one...
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The Fox and the Crow One bright morning as the Fox was following his sharp nose through the wood in...
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THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THE ASS One day, a long time ago, an old Miller and his Son were...
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THE WOLF AND THE KID There was once a little Kid whose growing horns made him think he was a...
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A story from Aesop's Fables A Town Mouse once visited a relative who lived in the country. For lunch the...
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HERCULES AND THE WAGONER A Farmer was driving his wagon along a miry country road after a heavy rain. The...
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THE YOUNG CRAB AND HIS MOTHER "Why in the world do you walk sideways like that?" said a Mother Crab...
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THE FROGS AND THE OX An Ox came down to a reedy pool to drink. As he splashed heavily into...
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THE DOG, THE COCK, AND THE FOX A Dog and a Cock, who were the best of friends, wished very...
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BELLING THE CAT The Mice once called a meeting to decide on a plan to free themselves of their enemy,...
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THE KID AND THE WOLF A frisky young Kid had been left by the herdsman on the thatched roof of...
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A story from Aesop's Fables A Wolf had been feasting too greedily, and a bone had stuck crosswise in his...
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THE ASS AND HIS DRIVER An Ass was being driven along a road leading down the mountain side, when he...
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Story from Fables of Aesop A Lion lay asleep in the forest, his great head resting on his paws. A...
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A Shepherd Boy tended his master's Sheep near a dark forest not far from the village. Soon he found...
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THE GNAT AND THE BULL A Gnat flew over the meadow with much buzzing for so small a creature and...
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THE PLANE TREE Two Travellers, walking in the noonday sun, sought the shade of a widespreading tree to rest. As...
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THE FARMER AND THE STORK A Stork of a very simple and trusting nature had been asked by a gay...
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THE SHEEP AND THE PIG One day a shepherd discovered a fat Pig in the meadow where his Sheep were...
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THE TRAVELERS AND THE PURSE Two men were traveling in company along the road when one of them picked up...
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A certain Father had a family of Sons, who were forever quarreling among themselves. No words he could say...
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THE FROGS WHO WISHED FOR A KING The Frogs were tired of governing themselves. They had so much freedom that...
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THE OWL AND THE GRASSHOPPER The Owl always takes her sleep during the day. Then after sundown, when the rosy...
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THE WOLF AND HIS SHADOW A Wolf left his lair one evening in fine spirits and an excellent appetite. As...
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THE OAK AND THE REEDS A Giant Oak stood near a brook in which grew some slender Reeds. When the...
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THE BOYS AND THE FROGS Some Boys were playing one day at the edge of a pond in which lived...
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A story from Fables of Aesop/Panchatantra In a spell of dry weather, when the Birds could find very little to...
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THE ANTS AND THE GRASSHOPPER One bright day in late autumn a family of Ants were bustling about in the...
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A RAVEN AND A SWAN A Raven, which you know is black as coal, was envious of the Swan, because...
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THE TWO GOATS Two Goats, frisking gayly on the rocky steeps of a mountain valley, chanced to meet, one on...
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THE ASS AND THE LOAD OF SALT A Merchant, driving his Ass homeward from the seashore with a heavy load...
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THE LION AND THE GNAT "Away with you, vile insect!" said a Lion angrily to a Gnat that was buzzing...
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THE LION AND THE GNAT "Away with you, vile insect!" said a Lion angrily to a Gnat that was buzzing...
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THE MONKEY AND THE CAMEL At a great celebration in honor of King Lion, the Monkey was asked to dance...
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THE BIRDS, THE BEASTS, AND THE BAT The Birds and the Beasts declared war against each other. No compromise was...
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THE LION, THE BEAR, AND THE FOX Just as a great Bear rushed to seize a stray kid, a Lion...
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THE WOLF AND THE LAMB A stray Lamb stood drinking early one morning on the bank of a woodland stream....
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A Wolf had been hurt in a fight with a Bear. He was unable to move and could not...
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THE FOX AND THE STORK The Fox one day thought of a plan to amuse himself at the expense of...
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A story from Fables of Aesop Two Travelers were walking along the seashore. Far out they saw something riding on...
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THE STAG AND HIS REFLECTION A Stag, drinking from a crystal spring, saw himself mirrored in the clear water. He...
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THE PEACOCK The Peacock, they say, did not at first have the beautiful feathers in which he now takes so...
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THE MICE AND THE WEASELS The Weasels and the Mice were always up in arms against each other. In every...
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THE WOLF AND THE LEAN DOG A Wolf prowling near a village one evening met a Dog. It happened to...
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THE LION AND THE ASS A Lion and an Ass agreed to go hunting together. In their search for game...
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THE DOG AND HIS MASTER'S DINNER A Dog had learned to carry his master's dinner to him every day. He...
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THE VAIN JACKDAW AND HIS BORROWED FEATHERS A Jackdaw chanced to fly over the garden of the King's palace. There...
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THE MONKEY AND THE CAMEL At a great celebration in honor of King Lion, the Monkey was asked to dance...
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THE WILD BOAR AND THE FOX A Wild Boar was sharpening his tusks busily against the stump of a tree,...
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THE ASS, THE FOX, AND THE LION An Ass and a Fox had become close comrades, and were constantly in...
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THE BIRDS, THE BEASTS, AND THE BAT The Birds and the Beasts declared war against each other. No compromise was...
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THE LION, THE BEAR, AND THE FOX Just as a great Bear rushed to seize a stray kid, a Lion...
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THEODORIC VOLER HAD been brought up, from infancy to the confines of middle age, by a fond mother whose...
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One sunny afternoon in the autumn of the year 1861 a soldier lay in a clump of laurel by...
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The long June twilight faded into night. Dublin lay enveloped in darkness but for the dim light of the...
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Hares, as you know, are very timid. The least shadow, sends them scurrying in fright to a hiding place....
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A very young Fox, who had never before seen a Lion, happened to meet one in the forest. A single...
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It happened once upon a time that a certain Greek ship bound for Athens was wrecked off the coast...
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An Ass was feeding in a pasture near a wood when he saw a Wolf lurking in the shadows...
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Once upon a time a Cat and a Monkey lived as pets in the same house. They were great...
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A Rabbit left his home one day for a dinner of clover. But he forgot to latch the door...
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A Bear roaming the woods in search of berries happened on a fallen tree in which a swarm of...
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A Fox and a Leopard, resting lazily after a generous dinner, amused themselves by disputing about their good looks....
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A Heron was walking sedately along the bank of a stream, his eyes on the clear water, and his...
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One bright evening as the sun was sinking on a glorious world a wise old Cock flew into a...
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A Dog asleep in a manger filled with hay, was awakened by the Cattle, which came in tired and...
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A hungry Wolf spied a Goat browsing at the top of a steep cliff where he could not possibly...
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A Fox fell into a well, and though it was not very deep, he found that he could not...
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A very young Mouse, who had never seen anything of the world, almost came to grief the very first...
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A Wolf had been prowling around a flock of Sheep for a long time, and the Shepherd watched very...
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A Peacock, puffed up with vanity, met a Crane one day, and to impress him spread his gorgeous tail...
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Some Cranes saw a farmer plowing a large field. When the work of plowing was done, they patiently watched...
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A rich old farmer, who felt that he had not many more days to live, called his sons to...
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Two Pots, one of brass and the other of clay, stood together on the hearthstone. One day the Brass...
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There was once a Countryman who possessed the most wonderful Goose you can imagine, for every day when he...
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Two Bulls were fighting furiously in a field, at one side of which was a marsh. An old Frog...
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A little hungry Mouse found his way one day into a basket of corn. He had to squeeze himself...
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A Farmer walked through his field one cold winter morning. On the ground lay a Snake, stiff and frozen...
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One cold stormy day a Goatherd drove his Goats for shelter into a cave, where a number of Wild...
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A young fellow, who was very popular among his boon companions as a good spender, quickly wasted his fortune...
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A Cat was growing very thin. As you have guessed, he did not get enough to eat. One day...
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There was once a Dog who was very fond of eggs. He visited the hen house very often and...
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A man who lived a long time ago believed that he could read the future in the stars. He...
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A Lion had been watching three Bullocks feeding in an open field. He had tried to attack them several...
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A poor Woodman was cutting down a tree near the edge of a deep pool in the forest. It...
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A story from Aesop's Fables A young Mouse in search of adventure was running along the bank of a pond...
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A Serpent had succeeded in surprising an Eagle and had wrapped himself around the Eagle's neck. The Eagle could...
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A Bull once escaped from a Lion by entering a cave which the Goatherds used to house their flocks...
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A Beetle once begged the Eagle to spare a Hare which had run to her for protection. But the...
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An old Lion, whose teeth and claws were so worn that it was not so easy for him to...
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There was once an Ass whose Master also owned a Lap Dog. This Dog was a favorite and received...
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A Milkmaid had been out to milk the cows and was returning from the field with the shining milk...
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A Miser had buried his gold in a secret place in his garden. Every day he went to the...
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There was once a Wolf who got very little to eat because the Dogs of the village were so...
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A Fox, swimming across a river, was barely able to reach the bank, where he lay bruised and exhausted...
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A Bat blundered into the nest of a Weasel, who ran up to catch and eat him. The Bat...
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A Fox that had been caught in a trap, succeeded at last, after much painful tugging, in getting away....
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There was once a Dog who was so ill-natured and mischievous that his Master had to fasten a heavy...
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A Butterfly once fell in love with a beautiful Rose. The Rose was not indifferent, for the Butterfly's wings...
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Once a Cat and a Fox were traveling together. As they went along, picking up provisions on the way—a...
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One moonlight evening as Master Fox was taking his usual stroll in the woods, he saw a number of...
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Two Men were traveling in company through a forest, when, all at once, a huge Bear crashed out of...
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At a great meeting of the Animals, who had gathered to elect a new ruler, the Monkey was asked...
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Early one morning a hungry Wolf was prowling around a cottage at the edge of a village, when he...
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A rajah made a jogi welcome in his city, building a house where he might receive guests. The rajah's...
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One day a Stag came to a Sheep and asked her to lend him a measure of wheat. The...
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Once upon a time a severe plague raged among the animals. Many died, and those who lived were so...
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A Shepherd, counting his Sheep one day, discovered that a number of them were missing. Much irritated, he very loudly...
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Story of Dog and his shadow from Fables of Aesop A dog once had a piece of meat. He was going...
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A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow. "Do you ever get anywhere?" he...
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A store of honey had been found in a hollow tree, and the Wasps declared positively that it belonged...
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Story of THE LARK AND HER NEST A Lark made her nest in a field of young wheat. As the...
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There was once a Cat who was so watchful, that a Mouse hardly dared show the tip of his...
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A Traveler had hired an Ass to carry him to a distant part of the country. The owner of...
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Story from Aesop's Fables/Panchatantra A little ant once fell into a pond.A dove was perching in a tree over the...
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A long time ago a Man met a Satyr in the forest and succeeded in making friends with him....
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Mother Goat was going to market one morning to get provisions for her household, which consisted of but one...
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A Lion, an Ass, and a Fox were hunting in company, and caught a large quantity of game. The...
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A long time ago, the Lion, the Fox, the Jackal, and the Wolf agreed to go hunting together, sharing...
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A pack of Wolves lurked near the Sheep pasture. But the Dogs kept them all at a respectful distance,...
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In a certain region was a jackal whose throat was pinched by hunger. While wandering in search of food,...
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NOW listen. Out in the country, close by the roadside, stood a pleasant house; you have seen one like...
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THERE were once five peas in one shell; they were green, and the shell was green, and so they...
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There was once a Hillman in a certain place who set out to increase his sins by hunting. As...
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There was once a hermit in a certain place and he was on a journey. While he was traveling,...
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Once there lived a merchant named Sagargupta. His son picked up a book at a sale for a hundred...
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In a certain town lived a young & virile bull. Full of energy, he abandoned the herd and went...
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There was once a region where people, houses, and temples had fallen into decay. So the mice, who were...
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In a part of a forest lived an elephant-king named Four-Tusk, who had a numerous retinue of elephants. His...
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At one time there lived many animals in a certain tree. And beneath the same tree dwelt one bird,...
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In a certain town lived a Brahman named Mitra Sharma, who had undertaken the labour of maintaining the sacred...
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Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Goldilocks. She went for a walk in the forest. ...
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ONCE upon a time there was a prince who wanted to marry a princess; but she would have to...
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Stone Soup is an old folk story in which hungry strangers convince the people of a town to each...
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An old man planted some seeds of a turnip but turnip grew so large that he can not pull...
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A Stag admired his antlers in a pool but was chased away by a panther. The panther was able...
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STAVE ONE MARLEY'S GHOST Marley was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his...
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BY MARK TWAIN (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) PREFACE Most of the adventures recorded in this book really occurred; one or two were experiences...
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A story from Arabian Nights In the land of the Persians there lived in ancient times a King who had...