‘Once Upon a Time in India’: 5 Folk Stories to Share With Your Child
Power cuts. Sticky afternoons. A child tugging at your sleeve with, “I’m bored”.
Before screens became the go-to fix, Indian families had a gentler solution: stories. Told on verandahs and rooftops, whispered in the dark before bedtime, these folk tales weren’t just about talking animals and clever kids. They were about values, humour, courage—and sometimes, just a good laugh.
And the best part? They still hold up. With talking animals, clever kids, tricky kings, and a few magic pots thrown in, these tales can make any lazy summer afternoon fly by.
Here are five folk tales you can tell your child this summer. No scripts needed. Just your voice, a little time, and maybe a mango slice or two.
1. The mongoose and the farmer’s wife (Pan-Indian)
Lesson: Don’t jump to conclusions.
A loyal mongoose lives with a farmer’s family and is fiercely protective of their newborn child. One day, the parents leave briefly, and when the wife returns, she sees blood on the mongoose’s mouth. Panicking, she assumes the worst—that the mongoose has harmed her baby — and strikes it in anger. Moments later, she finds the child safe and a dead snake nearby. The mongoose had saved the baby’s life.
This story, though sobering, gently introduces children to the idea that our first reaction isn’t always the right one—and that trust, once broken, can leave regret.
2. The tiger and the woodcutter (Bihar)
Lesson: Don’t mistake silence for agreement.
A tiger gets trapped in a cage and begs a passing woodcutter to let him out, promising not to harm him. The kind woodcutter agrees—but the tiger immediately changes his mind and says he’s hungry.
They decide to take their dispute to the nearby animals and people. Everyone sides with the tiger, except for a clever jackal who pretends not to understand the situation. He insists the tiger demonstrate how he was trapped. Once the tiger steps back into the cage, the jackal locks it shut.
This tale is witty and satisfying, and shows that a little presence of mind can go a long way.
3. The story of Gijubhai and the wise camel (Gujarat)
Lesson: Compassion matters, even when no one is watching.
One day, a kind boy named Gijubhai finds a camel lying exhausted in the desert. Without expecting anything, he brings it water, shade, and kindness. Years later, when Gijubhai himself gets lost in the desert, it’s a camel—maybe the same one, maybe its child—who leads him back to safety.
The story lingers gently, reminding kids that compassion counts, even when no one else sees it.
4. The magic drum of the tribal boy (Nagaland)
Lesson: Greed brings trouble, sharing brings joy.
A young tribal boy is given a drum by a forest spirit. Each time he beats it, food appears—plenty for his whole village. But when his greedy uncle steals the drum and tries to use it just for himself, the drum falls silent.
The story only finds its happy ending when the boy offers to share with the uncle too, proving that generosity — not greed — is where the real magic lies.
5. The sparrow and the crow (Tamil Nadu)
Lesson: Pride comes before a fall.
A sparrow and a crow decide to cook a feast. The sparrow plans, prepares, and cooks her meal with care. The crow brags, throws things together, and burns his food.
When it’s time to eat, the sparrow’s dish is perfect. She wins, not by boasting—but by quietly doing her best. Then she does something even more graceful: she invites the crow to eat with her.
Kids enjoy the humour in this one, and the ending always lands with a warm smile.
The power of a simple story
You don’t need to be a storyteller. You just need a child, a quiet moment, and your own voice.
These folk tales don’t need books or screens. They hold space for listening, laughing, asking questions—and sometimes, even reflecting long after the story ends.
So the next time the fan slows to a stop or the lights go out, maybe it’s a sign. Set the phone aside, hold their gaze, and say: “Once upon a time, in a land not so far away…”
Edited by Khushi Arora
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