Short English Moral Stories for Kids

Short moral stories are not just a source of entertainment; they are powerful tools that aid in the cognitive and ethical development of young minds. These stories, often rich with lessons on virtues like honesty, kindness, and perseverance, can have a profound impact on a child’s character and worldview.

Here are some of our favourite short moral stories in English.

The Thirsty Crow

During a hot summer day, a thirsty crow flew over fields searching for water. After a long search, it found a pitcher but was disappointed to see that the water level was too low for it to reach. Desperate for a drink, the crow thought hard.

The crow then noticed some pebbles lying around. It had an idea! One by one, it picked up the pebbles and dropped them into the pitcher. As more pebbles filled the pitcher, the water level rose. Finally, the water was high enough for the crow to drink. Its persistence and ingenuity had paid off.

The Tortoise and the Hare

In the forest, a swift hare was always bragging about how fast he could run. Tired of hearing him boast, the slow-moving tortoise challenged him to a race. Confident of winning, the hare agreed immediately. The race began, and the hare darted ahead, leaving the tortoise far behind.

Halfway through the race, the hare decided to rest under a tree, thinking he had plenty of time to beat the tortoise. Meanwhile, the tortoise continued walking slowly but steadily. By the time the hare woke up, he saw the tortoise nearing the finish line. The hare ran as fast as he could, but it was too late. The tortoise had already crossed the finish line, proving that slow and steady can indeed win the race.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

A young shepherd boy thought it would be fun to trick the villagers by making them believe a wolf was attacking his flock. When he cried out, “Wolf! Wolf!” the villagers came running to help him, only to find out there was no wolf. The boy laughed at their angry faces as they walked back to the village.

However, when a wolf actually did appear and began attacking the sheep, the boy again cried out for help. This time, the villagers thought it was another false alarm and ignored his cries. Help never came, and the flock was scattered. The boy learned a hard lesson about the consequences of lying.

The Ant and the Grasshopper

One beautiful summer day, a lazy grasshopper was singing and dancing happily. Nearby, an ant worked hard to carry a heavy grain of food to its nest. The grasshopper invited the ant to relax and enjoy the summer sun with him, but the ant declined. It explained that it was storing food for the winter and urged the grasshopper to do the same.

Winter came, and the grasshopper found itself dying of hunger. It saw the ants eating the food they had collected in the summer. Then it understood the importance of preparation and hard work, and realized that it had wasted its time instead of using it wisely.

The Lion and the Mouse

Once a sleeping lion was woken by a tiny mouse running across his face. Irritated, he captured the mouse, ready to eat it. The mouse pleaded for its life, promising to repay him one day. The lion laughed at the idea but let the mouse go in a moment of mercy.

Later, the lion was trapped by hunters who tied him with strong ropes. The mouse heard the lion’s roars and quickly found him. Remembering the lion’s kindness, the mouse gnawed through the ropes, freeing the lion. The small creature’s act of bravery showed that kindness is never wasted.

The Fox and the Grapes

A fox once saw a bunch of ripe grapes hanging from a vine high up on a tree branch. It leapt to grab them but missed. The fox tried again but still could not reach them. After several attempts, it sat down tired and frustrated, looking up at the grapes it could not reach.

Finally, the fox decided that the grapes must be sour and not worth having if they were so hard to reach. It walked away, telling itself that it didn’t want them anyway. This story highlights how sometimes people belittle what they cannot have to avoid disappointment.

The Honest Woodcutter

A woodcutter accidentally dropped his axe into a deep river while cutting a tree. Distraught over losing his only means of earning a living, he sat on the bank and wept. Seeing his sorrow, a goddess appeared before him and dove into the river, retrieving a golden axe.

The goddess asked if this was his axe, but the woodcutter replied no. She then brought up a silver axe, but again the woodcutter denied it was his. Impressed by his honesty, the goddess gave him his simple iron axe along with the other two as a reward for his integrity. This story teaches the value of being honest even when we stand to gain from dishonesty.

The Two Goats

Two goats faced each other on a narrow bridge over a deep river. Each goat was stubborn and neither was willing to step aside. They butted heads, trying to push each other away, determined to cross first.

Their stubbornness led to their downfall, literally, as they lost their footing and fell into the river below. This story serves as a lesson on the importance of compromise and the dangers of stubbornness.

The Fox and the Crow

A crow found a piece of cheese and perched on a tree branch to eat it. A fox, wanting the cheese for himself, stood below and praised the crow for its beauty and asked if its voice was as sweet to match. Flattered by the compliments, the crow lifted its head and cawed proudly.

The cheese fell from its beak right into the waiting jaws of the fox. The crow was left with nothing but a lesson in the dangers of falling for flattery.

The Farmer and the Stork

A farmer, troubled by cranes eating his seedlings, set a trap in his field. One day, a stork was caught in the trap. The stork pleaded with the farmer, claiming it was innocent and had not eaten any of the crops. But the farmer pointed out that by being with the cranes at the time they caused harm, the stork had shown itself to be among the wrong crowd.

The stork was punished along with the cranes, teaching that the company one keeps can affect how others view us, for better or for worse.

Final Thoughts

Short moral stories are a cornerstone in childhood education, offering a plethora of benefits that go beyond mere entertainment. They are foundational tools in building a child’s moral framework, enhancing their cognitive and social skills, and fostering a well-rounded personality equipped to face the world’s challenges. These stories, therefore, play a crucial role in shaping not just literate but also ethical individuals.