Timeless stories from around the world in basic, fun and rhyme versions to read or listen to. Provided for free, with no advertising.
A farmer teaches his quarreling sons the strength of unity using a bundle of sticks.
Donkey lightens salt sacks by falling into the river, tricking the trader, but learns honesty when given heavier cotton sacks instead.
Geese help tortoise move to new lake, but he dies after opening his mouth trying to respond to children's insults.
In a debate on strength, a man confidently shows a statue of a man overpowering a lion, but the lion questions the perspective of the story.
An ant works hard and saves food for the winter while the grasshopper plays and starves.
Two fish ignore frog's warning of danger from fishermen and get caught, while the frog moves to a safer place.
A bull accidentally steps on a mouse's tail, prompting the mouse to seek revenge, but it fails, realizing arguing is pointless.
A shepherd boy repeatedly cries wolf to trick villagers, but when a real wolf comes, no one believes him.
A thirsty crow cleverly drops pebbles into a pitcher, raising the water level to drink and quench its thirst.
A wise owl warned birds about seeds that could grow into hawk trees, but they ignored her, leading to their own downfall.
The slow and steady tortoise wins a race against the boastful and overconfident hare.
A poor farmer discovers a goose that lays golden eggs, but greed leads him to kill it, losing his fortune.
A pair of crows outsmart a serpent threatening their nest by tricking the King's guards into killing it.
A lion spared a mouse's life, later, the mouse rescued the lion from a trap.
A holy man transforms a mouse into a girl, raises her, but she chooses to marry a mouse and becomes one again.
A king's elephant and a dog form a friendship, are suddenly separated, but they are reunited by the king and live happily.
The cunning fox uses flattering words to trick a proud crow into dropping its cheese, which the fox then steals.
A wolf considers a dog's proposition of a comfortable life with humans but chooses freedom over bondage.
Three little pigs build houses of straw, sticks, and bricks, but only the strongest brick house withstands the wolf's huffs and puffs.
Mice ask elephants to avoid trampling their homes, and later rescue them from the hunters' trap.
A Brahmin frees a trapped tiger who breaks its promise but outsmarts it with the help of a clever jackal.
A woodcutter saved a fox, but revealed its hiding spot; ungrateful fox ran off, feeling tricked.
A milkmaid dreams of future wealth, but spills her pail of milk and loses her imagined fortune.
A mighty lion in a jungle tries to catch a clever jackal in a cave but fails due to the jackal's trickery.
A clever monkey outsmarts a crocodile, who tries to betray their friendship to please his wife, and they part ways.
Clever fox tricks stork with flat stone dish, but stork gets revenge by serving food in jar, leaving fox hungry.
The North Wind and the Sun compete to remove a traveler's cloak, but the Sun wins with warmth.
A proud man's boastful claims about his strong Ox backfire, but after showing kindness and humility, the Ox proves its strength.
Four scholars, lacking practical wisdom, bring a lion back to life but are killed by it, except the cautious fourth scholar.
A dog in the manger growls at the ox despite having no interest in the hay, until its owner scolds it for its selfishness.
The Town Mouse visits the Country Mouse, who then visits the city but fears the danger and prefers his peaceful life.
A man and his boy tried to please everyone's opinions on how to transport their donkey but ended up losing their donkey.
A Dog planned to build a house for winter, but changed his mind when summer arrived, leaving him regretful and unprotected when winter returned.
A happy frog in a small well meets a sea turtle and learns about the vast, wonderful world beyond his home.
An ant works hard and saves food for the winter while the grasshopper plays and starves.
A thirsty crow cleverly drops pebbles into a pitcher, raising the water level to drink and quench its thirst.
A king's elephant and a dog form a friendship, are suddenly separated, but they are reunited by the king and live happily.
A lion spared a mouse's life, later, the mouse rescued the lion from a trap.
The North Wind and the Sun compete to remove a traveler's cloak, but the Sun wins with warmth.
The slow and steady tortoise wins a race against the boastful and overconfident hare.
A farmer teaches his quarreling sons the strength of unity using a bundle of sticks.
A shepherd boy repeatedly cries wolf to trick villagers, but when a real wolf comes, no one believes him.
A Brahmin frees a trapped tiger who breaks its promise but outsmarts it with the help of a clever jackal.
A pair of crows outsmart a serpent threatening their nest by tricking the King's guards into killing it.
A wolf considers a dog's proposition of a comfortable life with humans but chooses freedom over bondage.
A Dog planned to build a house for winter, but changed his mind when summer arrived, leaving him regretful and unprotected when winter returned.
One day, a hungry wolf was wandering through the countryside in search of food. As he roamed near a village, he came across a well-fed and healthy-looking dog. The wolf was envious of the dog's condition and asked him how he managed to be so plump and content.
The dog replied, "I live with humans, who provide me with food and shelter. In return, I guard their home."
The wolf, enticed by the dog's words, considered the proposition. "Perhaps I could join you in your life of ease?"
The dog agreed, "Come with me, and I will introduce you to my master."
As they walked together, the wolf noticed a worn patch on the dog's neck. He asked, "What happened to your neck?"
The dog replied, "That is where my collar rests. My master ties me up during the day, and at night, he releases me to guard the property."
The wolf, upon hearing this, stopped in his tracks. "You mean you are not free to come and go as you please?"
The dog nodded, "Yes, but I have a comfortable life with food and shelter."
After contemplating the dog's words, the wolf decided that a life of bondage, no matter how comfortable, was not for him. "Thank you for your offer, but I must decline. I would rather be free and hungry than well-fed and bound by a chain."
With that, the wolf turned around and disappeared into the woods.
One day, a wolf is looking for food. He is hungry. He walks near a town. Then, he sees a dog. The dog looks happy and full.
The wolf asks the dog, "Why are you happy and full?"
The dog says, "I live with people. They give me food and a home. I keep their house safe."
The wolf thinks this is good. "Can I live like you?" he asks.
The dog says, "Yes, come with me."
They walk together. The wolf sees a mark on the dog's neck. "What is that?" he asks.
The dog says, "That is from my collar. It keeps me tied up in the day. At night, I am free to watch the house."
The wolf stops. "You cannot go where you want?" he asks.
The dog says, "Yes, but I am happy. I have food and a home."
The wolf thinks. Then he says, "Thank you, but no. I want to be free, even if I am hungry. I do not want to be tied up."
The wolf goes back into the forest.
One sunny day, a hungry wolf was walking around the countryside, looking for food. Near a village, he saw a dog that looked very healthy and happy. The wolf felt a little jealous and asked the dog how he looked so good.
The dog said, "I live with people who give me food and a place to sleep. In return, I protect their house."
The wolf thought this sounded like a great life and said, "Maybe I could live with you and have an easy life too?"
The dog replied, "Sure, come with me, and I'll introduce you to my owner."
As they walked together, the wolf noticed a mark around the dog's neck. He asked, "What is that on your neck?"
The dog explained, "That's from my collar. My owner ties me up during the day and lets me go at night to guard the house."
The wolf stopped walking and thought for a moment. "So, you cannot go wherever you want?"
The dog nodded, "Yes, but I get food and a warm place to sleep."
After thinking about what the dog said, the wolf decided. "Thanks for the offer, but I don't want to live like that. I'd rather be free and find my own food than be well-fed but not free."
With those words, the wolf turned back and ran into the forest.
One day, a hungry wolf was wandering through the countryside, searching for food. As he got near a village, he saw a well-fed, strong dog. The wolf, feeling envious of the dog's condition, asked how he managed to stay so healthy and satisfied.
The dog replied, "I live with humans who give me food and shelter. In return, I guard their home."
Interested in the dog's life, the wolf thought about it. "Can I join you and live like this?"
The dog agreed, "Come with me, and I'll introduce you to my owner."
As they walked together, the wolf noticed a worn spot around the dog's neck. Curious, he asked, "What caused that mark on your neck?"
The dog explained, "That's where my collar sits. My owner ties me up during the day, and at night, he lets me loose to watch over the house."
Hearing this, the wolf stopped. "So, you're not free to go wherever you want?"
The dog admitted, "That's true, but in return, I have a safe and comfortable life."
After thinking about the dog's situation, the wolf decided that freedom was more important to him than comfort. "Thanks for the offer, but I must decline. I'd rather be free and hungry than comfortable with restrictions."
With that, the wolf turned back and disappeared into the forest.
One day, a hungry wolf, with a stomach growling like an old car engine, was wandering through the countryside, looking for something, anything, to munch on. As he sauntered near a village, he spotted a dog that looked so well-fed, he could have been mistaken for a sausage with legs.
The wolf, mouth watering and eyes as big as dinner plates, said, "Oi, you there! You look like you've swallowed a buffet! How do you manage to look so delightfully plump?"
The dog, with a smirk that said he knew something the wolf didn't, replied, "Well, you see, mate, I live with the humans. They give me food, they give me shelter, and in return, I guard their stuff. It's a dog's life, but someone's got to do it!"
The wolf, intrigued by this seemingly posh lifestyle, considered the dog's words. "Hmm, so you're living the high life, eh? Fancy! Perhaps I could join you in this world of belly rubs and gourmet meals?"
The dog, wagging his tail, agreed, "Sure thing, buddy! Come with me, and I'll introduce you to the world of fluffy pillows and unlimited treats."
As they wobbled along together, the wolf noticed a worn patch on the dog's neck and said, "Hold on, what's that around your neck? Fashion statement or battle scar?"
The dog replied, looking slightly embarrassed, "Oh, that? It's where my collar rests. You see, my master ties me up during the day, and at night, he lets me loose. Sort of like an exclusive VIP club membership."
The wolf, eyes narrowing, said, "Wait, you mean you're all tied up and stuff? You can't just come and go, dancing through the daisies?"
The dog nodded, "Yes, but hey, I've got food, shelter, and a squeaky toy that looks like a chicken! What more could a dog want?"
The wolf, stroking his chin thoughtfully, said, "Thanks for the invite, but no thanks. You see, I prefer to be free and hungry, roaming where I please. I mean, what if I want a midnight snack? Or feel like howling at the moon in a different postcode?"
And with that, the wolf gave a cheeky wink, turned around, and disappeared into the woods, leaving behind the comforts of sausages and squeaky toys for a life of freedom and wild adventures.
Beyond the town where children play,
A wolf went hunting, one bright day.
Hungry and lean, he hoped to find
A bite to eat, of any kind.
He spied a dog, both plump and spry,
"Dear dog," he asked, "how can you lie
So well-fed, content, and grand?"
"Come closer," said the dog, "I'll help you understand."
"I live with folks, who care and give,
I guard their home, so we all live
In peace and joy, and in return,
I eat and sleep, and lessons learn."
The wolf, his eyes gleaming wide,
Thought, "Could I too, in such ease reside?"
"Join me," the dog with a wagging tail said,
"Live life in comfort, not in dread."
But as they walked, the wolf did see
A mark on the dog, "What could that be?"
"That's where they tie me, night and day,
To guard their home, I must stay."
"You're bound? Not free, like wind and tree?"
The dog sighed, "True, but comfort’s guaranteed."
The wolf pondered, his freedom at stake,
Choosing between a chain and a juicy steak.
“I thank you, dog, for the invite you send,
But I cherish freedom, till the very end.
I'd rather roam, beneath the sky so grand,
Than be well-fed, with my life preplanned."
And with a nod and a howl so good,
The wolf trotted off, back to the wood.
Wanting to eat food now.
A small place with many houses.
Not in danger, protected.
The part below your head.
A band around an animal's neck.
Fastened with a rope or something.
Able to go anywhere.
A place with many trees.
Having enough to eat.
With someone else, not alone.
Areas outside cities, usually with farms.
In good physical condition; not sick.
Wanting what someone else has.
To give back something in exchange.
To keep something safe from harm.
To make someone known to another.
A person who possesses something.
A band around an animal's neck.
To watch over and keep safe.
Made a choice after thinking.
Walking around aimlessly without a specific destination.
Land outside of cities and towns; rural areas.
Having eaten enough food to be healthy and strong.
Wanting what someone else has; feeling jealous.
A place providing protection from bad weather or danger.
To make someone known to another person.
A band placed around an animal's neck.
Not tied up or restrained; free to move.
Rules that limit or control what you can do.
To say no to an offer or invitation.
Who is hungry?
What does the wolf see near the town?
Why is the dog happy?
What is on the dog’s neck?
Where does the wolf go at the end?
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