In our large collection of children’s stories from around the world you will find jungle tales, bedtime stories, funny stories, short stories, stories of friendships and much more… Some stories for kids will make you laugh, some will get you thinking, some will inspire, and some will fire up your imagination. Delve into this treasure-trove of juvenile fiction.
137 items in this section. Displaying page 13 of 14
A Free Bird
A Free Bird [Illustrations by Kusum Chamoli] Everybody in his family called him ‘shy baby’ — not ‘cry baby’ to be sure, but shy baby. Young Somu was shy, but not just a little shy. Somu was very, very shy. When guests came to his house for tea or dinner and asked him his name, Somu would dig his chin into his neck and close his eyes and after a few minutes he would run out of the room....
No Monkey Business
Bandar, Bandariya and Baby Bandar were ready for their show. Come Sunday morning and their tamasha would begin in a congested and busy Bombay suburb witnessed by an excited group of children. Raju, the Bandarwala, would announce his arrival with the familiar drumbeat and sound of ghungroos. Sometimes he even brought along a sleepy black bear. Each week it was the same routine. Dressed in dotted pyjamas with a shiny red sleeveless jacket and a Wee Willy Winkey cap edged with tiny bells, Bandar cartwheeled and somersaulted backwards and forwards....
The Weepy Wempati!....
Once upon a time there lived a little Wempati. She was a very sweet little thing who loved her mummy, papa, sister, baby brother, pet dog and favourite doll very much. She was a very happy Wempati. When Wempati was four years old, Papa Wempati and Mama Wempati had a serious talk. “It’s time that little Wempati went to school” they said. That sounded like fun to little Wempati. The Weepy Wempati!…. [Illustrations by Priya Nagarajan] Her sister went to school and always went with yummy things packed in her lunch box and came back with delicious paint stains on her hands and clothes....
Manohar Learns a Lesson
Hey look! Langdu has come in a colour dress today. Must be his birthday,” Manohar sniggered. “Happy Birthday, langdu!” Manohar’s gang chorused and Varun’s face turned red with embarrassment. He had hoped that at least on his birthday Manohar and his friends would spare him. Varun and Manohar were class five students of Digvijay Public School. Varun had fallen down the staircase when he was a toddler and had twisted his ankle. As a result of this injury he had developed a permanent limp....
Small Business
Shobhan ran to his father who was just leaving for work. ‘Papa! Papa!’ he called, ‘Jeetu Chacha is my best friend next to you.’ ‘He is! That is fine. What has he done?’ ‘He just phoned to say he and I are going to Delhi for one week.’ ‘Well, are you telling me or asking me?’ Said Papa laughing. ‘Both. You are my best friend;’ said Shobhan looking up into his father’s laughing face. ‘Of course....
Toy Gang
Nina got down from the school bus and looked around. Sarala was nowhere to be seen. She was surprised. This had never happened before. Sarala would always be standing at the bus stop waiting for Nina. The moment she saw Nina she would rush forward, give her a big hug, take the school bag in one hand and grasping Nina’s hand in the other, start walking. “Nina how was your day? Did Rahul tease you today?...
Excerpts from 'The Crystal Cave'
“Yuk!” exclaimed Thenyak. “It tastes awful!” Changun said nothing. But her screwed up features told all! “Don’t like it, do you?” said Grandma Kamlong with a toothless grin. “But watch now.” Using the ladle, she scooped up a little salt from a wooden bowl and put it into the broth. She sang a Nocte ballad as she stirred, smiling mysteriously all the while. This was what made Grandma Kamlong such great fun! She could put life and mystery into the most trivial chore!...
If The Tooth Be Told!...
Dada and Dadi were very funny. They were good fun too. They loved everyone and always had a good thing to say for everyone they met. They could always make people laugh. All, that is, except each other. Somehow, they just had to look at each other, and they’d start fighting. It was really silly how the two of them were forever snapping at each other. And since they spent lot’s of time together, their moods were becoming more and more sour....
Joking with the Goddess
Gopal was in great pain. A big battle seemed to be raging in his stomach. Of course, there was nothing unusual about this. With his weakness for good food — sweets in particular — he often did overeat and this was the inevitable result. As long as the pain lasted, Gopal was full of remorse, and made wild promises to eat moderately, but all were forgotten the moment he was well. This time the pain was worse than anything he had ever experienced before....
The Three Ms for Freedom
Chandu wait. Let’s celebrate our victory,” Abdul requested. “I’ll just be back – I must tell Baba the news. It was his training that helped me win against the New English School Giants in the Kabaddi finals,” screamed Chandu. “I know, it was your stamina and speed that really worked,” Abdul said, “Thanks to Baba.” Chandu rushed home, “Baba, Baba! we won! Thanks to you Baba,” Chandu yelled excitedly. But there was no appreciation or ‘Shabashi’, Chandu looked up and saw his father’s worried face....