Indian folk tales for kids: where to start

Start with the Panchatantra

The Panchatantra is a very old collection of animal fables in five books, traditionally credited to a scholar named Vishnu Sharma. The tales are short, the characters are simple, and most end with a clear idea to talk about, which makes them an easy first step. Good tales to begin with are the Monkey and the Crocodile, the Thirsty Crow and the Lion and the Rabbit. Our Blue Jackal, Talkative Tortoise and Elephants and Mice guides add morals, characters and questions for each. Hindi readers can start at हिंदी में पंचतंत्र की कहानियाँ.

Then try Jataka tales

The Jataka tales come from the Buddhist tradition. They tell of the Buddha’s earlier lives, when he was born as a deer, a monkey, an elephant or a wise king, and always chose kindness. There are hundreds of them. Scenes from them are carved on the ancient stupas at Bharhut and Sanchi. Many are short and suit read-aloud time, though you should read each one first, since a few are more serious than the animal fables.

Tales of wit and wisdom

Stories of clever people, such as Akbar and Birbal or Tenali Raman, are told across the country, usually as a short problem and a witty answer. Many versions exist and the details are tied to legend more than history, so tell them as stories and not as facts. You can read our own retellings in Akbar and Birbal stories for kids and Tenali Raman stories for kids, and your local library will have many more.

The tales in your own family

The most valuable folk tales may be the ones nobody has written down. Almost every region and language has its own stories about birds, rivers, festivals and clever villagers. Ask a grandparent or elder to tell one that they heard as a child. Listen first, and then ask where they heard it and who told it. You do not need a recorder: a notebook is fine.

How to choose a tale for your child

Match the length

Pick a story you can tell in about five minutes for younger children. Save longer tales for older ones or for weekends.

Check the scary parts

Many old tales have a moment of danger. Read first, and decide whether to soften it. See our bedtime guide for ideas.

Think about the question, not the answer

A tale that leaves room for “what would you do?” makes a better conversation than one with a single fixed lesson. For a simple way to talk about the moral, see moral stories for kids.

Questions to ask, by age

For ages four to six

• Which animal did you like best?
• What happened at the end?
• Would you like to draw it?

For ages seven and up

• What is the story trying to tell us?
• Do you know a story like this from home?
• How would you change the ending, and why?

Try it: the family story book

Fold a few sheets of paper into a small book. Over the next few weeks, ask different relatives for one story each, by phone or in person. Write the story in the language it was told, and let your child add the drawings. Put the teller’s name and where they grew up on the first line. When a tale appears in a few forms, keep them all and note the differences. At the end, you will have a book that no one else owns.

More to explore on Rangooo

Browse all the Panchatantra stories, take a look at the traditions on our Bharat page, or play a riddle from Paheli.

Questions

Where should I start with Indian folk tales?

The Panchatantra is a good first stop. Its animal fables are short, the characters are simple, and each tale has a clear idea to talk about.

What are Jataka tales?

They are stories from the Buddhist tradition about the Buddha's earlier lives, often as a kind animal or a wise person. There are hundreds of them.

What age are Indian folk tales right for?

Many families start short animal fables around four or five. Choose by length and by how scary a tale is, and follow your child.

Why do the same tales have different versions?

Folk tales were told aloud for a very long time and in many languages, so each teller changed names, places and details. A different version is not a wrong one.