Short
Stories with Moral in English
By Yogesh, May 03, 2021
Here we have collected the best short stories with
moral in English. These short stories are very interesting and have very good
morals.
These short stories are very valuable and teach life lessons
to children and help your kids (nursery to Class 1-5) understand people and the
world, so I am sharing with you the short story with ethics in
English.
1. The Thirsty crow
It was a hot summer’s day. A thirsty crow flew into a
village in search of water. The crow flew over the houses, fields, and trees.
But he didn’t find any water. After a long time, he came across a farm. Under
one of the trees on the farm was a pitcher of water.
Happy that he found some water finally, he swooped down to
the tree and then down to the ground. He quickly moved towards the pitcher and
looked inside. There was very little water in the pot. The crow put his beak
inside the pitcher but could not reach the water. The water level was too low,
and the narrow opening prevented his neck from going all the way down.
He tried to push the vessel down to let the water out, but
it was too heavy. The crow was disappointed. He was really thirsty and needed a
drink of water badly. He could have given up and flown to another farm, looking
for water.
But he didn’t. Instead, he looked around and thought, “What
else can I do?” He saw that there were a lot of pebbles on the farm. And, he
had an idea! He collected a pebble and put it into the pitcher.
He collected another pebble and another and put them all in
the pitcher. As he added more and more stones, the water level came up to the
brim.The crow drank the water and flew back home happily
Moral
Where there is a will, there is a way!
2. The Wolf in
Sheep's Clothing
Once a wolf was roaming around in a forest in search of a
prey. He came near a village that was located at the edge of the forest. There
he saw a flock of sheep grazing in a pasture.
While he was planning to kill a sheep, he found a sheep-skin
lying by the foot-path. Seeing the sheep-skin, a wicked idea clicked him.
He thought of wearing it and slipping into the flock because
then, it would be easy to get a prey.
When the wolf got into the flock, the shepherd drove it to
the village. Reaching there he enclosed it in the pen and shut the door
immediately. Just then his wife came there and said, “Today I have nothing to
cook for dinner. So, kill one sheep for me. “
The shepherd went into the pen and looked for a meaty sheep.
Mistaking the disguised wolf for a sheep, he killed him with an axe.
Moral
The wickedness is its own punishment. The wolf wanted a
sheep as his prey but himself became the food of the shepherd.
3. The Turtle And The
Rabbit
One day a rabbit was boasting about how fast he could run.
He was laughing at the turtle for being so slow. Much to the rabbit’s surprise,
the turtle challenged him to a race. The rabbit thought this was a good joke
and accepted the challenge. The fox was to be the umpire of the race. As the
race began, the rabbit raced way ahead of the turtle, just like everyone
thought.
The rabbit got to the halfway point and could not see the
turtle anywhere. He was hot and tired and decided to stop and take a short nap.
Even if the turtle passed him, he would be able to race to the finish line
ahead of him. All this time the turtle kept walking step by step by step. He
never quit no matter how hot or tired he got. He just kept going.
However, the rabbit slept longer than he had thought and
woke up. He could not see the turtle anywhere! He went at full speed to the
finish line but found the turtle there waiting for him.
Moral
Never underestimate the weakest opponent.
4. The Wolf and his
shadow
A Wolf left his lair one evening in fine spirits and an
excellent appetite. As he ran, the setting sun cast his shadow far out on the
ground, and it looked as if the wolf were a hundred times bigger than he really
was.
“Why,“
exclaimed the Wolf
proudly,
“see how big I am! Fancy me running away from a puny Lion!
I'll show him who is fit to be king, he or I.“
Just then an immense
shadow blotted him out entirely, and the next instant a Lion struck him down
with a single blow.
Moral
Do not let your fancy make you forget Realities
4. The Horse Rider
Once, a man went to a library. There he read a book, 'How to
ride a horse'. After few days, he went to a friend who had a horse.. seeing it,
he couldn't control himself and asked for a ride from his friend. The friend
agreed.
The man tried to ride the horse. But a horse always
recognises its rider. It reared up and flung the man to the ground.
The friend asked, “Where did you learn to ride?“ the man
exposed his foolishness saying that he learnt it from a library book.
One must remember that one can’t learn anything by oneself.
You need a teacher if you want to learn.
5. The Shepherd and
Lion
A Shepherd, counting his Sheep one day, discovered that a
number of them were missing.
Much irritated, he very loudly and boastfully declared that
he would catch the thief and punish him as he deserved. The Shepherd suspected
a Wolf of the deed and so set out toward a rocky region among the hills, where
there were caves infested by Wolves. But before starting out he made a vow to
Jupiter that if he would help him find the thief he would offer a fat Calf as a
sacrifice.
The Shepherd searched a long time without finding any Wolves,
but just as he was passing near a large cave on the mountainside, a huge Lion
stalked out, carrying a Sheep. In great terror the Shepherd fell on his knees.
“Alas, O Jupiter, man does not know what he asks! To find
the thief I offered to sacrifice a fat Calf. Now I promise you a full-grown
Bull, if you but make the thief go away!“
We are often not so eager for what we seek, after we have
found it.
6. Fox And Crow
A Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its
beak and settle on a branch of a tree.
“That's for me, as I am a Fox,“ said Master Fox, and
he walked up to the foot of the tree.
“Good day, Mistress Crow,“ he cried.
“How well you are looking today: how glossy your feathers;
how bright your eye. I feel sure your voice must surpass that of other birds,
just as your figure does; let me hear but one song from you that I may greet
you as the Queen of Birds.“
The Crow lifted up
her head and began to caw her best, but the moment she opened her mouth the
piece of cheese fell to the ground, only to be snapped up by Master Fox.
“That will do,“ said he.
“That was all I wanted. In exchange for your cheese I will
give you a piece of advice for the future: “
Do not trust flatterers.“
7. Donkey And Its
Driver
A Donkey was being driven along a road leading down the
mountain side, when he suddenly took it into his silly head to choose his own
path. He could see his stall at the foot of the mountain, and to him the
quickest way down seemed to be over the edge of the nearest cliff. Just as he
was about to leap over, his master caught him by the tail and tried to pull him
back, but the stubborn Donkey would not yield and pulled with all his might.
“Very well,“ said his master, “go your way, you willful beast, and see where it leads
you.“
With that he let
go, and the foolish Donkey tumbled head over heels down the mountain side.
They who will not
listen to reason but stubbornly go their own way against the friendly advice of
those who are wiser than they, are on the road to misfortune.
8. The Farmer
Once, in a village, there lived a farmer who was very kind
hearted by nature He could not see anybody in trouble and was always ready to
help others.
It was a high winter morning and it was so cold that
everything looked frozen. While returning home from his farm, the farmer saw a
snake lying by the foot-path. It was almost frozen and looked half-dead due to
severe cold.
The farmer could not see it in such a condition and decided
to help it. He lifted the snake and took it to his home. There, he placed it
near the fire. In a short time, the warmth of the fire revived it and it
started moving, turned upon the farmer and bit him. The farmer died repenting,
“Had I not shown mercy to this wicked creature, I would have been alive today.
“
9. Two Travelers
It was high summer. The sun was extremely hot. Two travelers
were going along a dusty road that had no trees along its sides. Looking for
some shelter from the hot sun, they saw a tree with big leaves and branches
spread like an umbrella.
They placed their belongings on the ground and sat in the
cool thick shade of the tree. After taking some rest, one traveler said to the
other, “What a useless tree it is! It bears no fruits at all. “
Hearing this, the tree felt pinched and burst out, “You
ungrateful soul! On one hand, you are taking shelter in my cool shade from the
burning heat of the sun and on the other hand, you are calling me useless. Get
up and leave the place immediately to be scorched again.“
Moral
Never Be Ungrateful
10. The Stranger in
the Garden
Once upon a time, there was a man who had a big garden. He
had planted many fruit trees and cared for them till they bore fruits. Now he
wanted to harvest the fruits and sell them to make money for his family.
One fine day, while picking the fruits with his son, the man
saw a stranger sitting on the branch of a tree and picking fruits. The man
became angry and shouted, "Hey you! What are you doing on my tree? Aren't
you ashamed of stealing?"
The stranger sitting on the branch looked at the gardener,
but didn't reply, and continued picking the fruits. The gardener was very angry
and shouted again, "For a whole year I have taken care of these trees. You
have no right to take the fruits without my permission. So come down at
once!"
The stranger on the tree answered, "Why should I come
down? This is the garden of God and I am the servant of God, so I have the
right to pick these fruits. You should not interfere with the work of God and
his servant."
The gardener was very surprised at this answer and thought
of a plan. He told the stranger to come down from the tree. As the stranger
climbed down the tree, the gardener tied him to the tree and began beating him
with a stick. The stranger began to scream, "Why are you beating me? You
have no right to do this."
The gardener paid no attention and continued beating him.
The stranger screamed, "Don't you fear God? You are beating an innocent
man. The gardener answered, "Why should I fear? This wood in my hand
belongs to God and I am the servant of God. You shouldn't interfere with the
work of God and his servant."
The stranger hesitated and then spoke, "Wait. Don't
beat me, I am sorry for taking the fruits. This is your garden and I should
seek your permission before taking the fruits. So, please forgive me and set me
free." The gardener smiled and said, "Don't use God's name to justify
your ill-conceived actions."
Then the gardener untied him and let him go free.
11. The Fox and The
Goat
It was a hot summer day. A fox and a goat were very thirsty.
Looking around for a place to quench their thirst, they came across a well that
had very little water in it. They both were so thirsty that they got down into
it and quenched their thirst. Having had their fill, the goat wondered how they
would get out of the well.
The fox said, "Don't worry. You leave that to me. All
you have to do is stand firm, while I'll climb up with your help. Once I get
out, I'll pull you up." The goat unaware of the fox's shrewdness, agreed
and soon the fox was out. Once out, it went its way, leaving the poor goat
behind.
12. AN HONEST
WOODCUTTER
A poor woodcutter accidentally dropped his axe into the
river. He was very upset, as he had no money to buy another axe.
Just then a fairy appeared in the river holding out a golden
axe to him. "I found this axe in the river. Is this yours?"
"That's not mine", replied the woodcutter.
The fairy then brought out a silver axe. The woodcutter
disowned this one too. Finally, the fairy held out a wooden axe.
Smiling with happiness, the woodcutter said, "That's
mine. Thank you very much." The fairy felt very happy seeing his honesty
and said, "Such honesty deserves a reward." She gave the poor man all
the three axes and disappeared.
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