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Read or listen offline and create your own playlists. Designed to help children pause and think, building literacy and empathy as they go.
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Stories children love. Full of wisdom and lessons for life.
Hundreds of fables from around the world. Read or listen in multiple languages. Find one by the value or theme they explore.
For Story Seekers, Families and Classrooms
More Ways to Enjoy FableReads and Keep It Free
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A collection of timeless favourites with questions and activities. Buying a book also helps us bring more stories to more children.
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Partner with Us
From community initiatives to global sponsors, we’re looking for partners in financing, implementation and development to expand access for children everywhere.
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Find a story to fit the moment
Choose a value. Pick a fable.
- Kindness
- Gratitude
The Lion and the Mouse
A lion spares a tiny mouse who promises to return the favor one day. How could such a small mouse possibly help a lion?
- Kindness
- Strength
The North Wind and the Sun
The powerful North Wind and the gentle Sun try to make a traveler take off his cloak to prove who is stronger. Which one will succeed?
- Respect
- Empathy
The Old Man and His Grandson
A grandfather is treated unkindly by his son and daughter-in-law. What will help them realize their mistake and change the way they treat him?
- Kindness
- Respect
The Ox Who Won the Forfeit
A proud man's boastful claims about his strong Ox backfire, but after showing kindness and humility, the Ox proves its strength.
- Teamwork
- Empathy
The Elephants and the Mice
Mice ask elephants to avoid trampling their homes, and later rescue them from the hunters' trap.
- Friendship
- Courage
The Four Friends and the Hunter
Four forest friends work together to save the deer from a hunter's trap, outwitting the hunter with their plan.
- Equality
- Preparedness
The Hares and The Lions
Hares sought equality with Lions but lacked means to defend themselves, realizing the need to be prepared to uphold their wishes.
- Courage
- Respect
The Old Hound
Once a mighty hound, now old and frail, failed to catch a boar, pleading with his master to remember his former glory.
- Trust
- Honesty
The Boy Who Cried Wolf
Bored and mischievous, a shepherd boy tricks villagers by yelling wolf. But what will happen when a real wolf finally appears?
- Trust
- Deception
The Fox and The Woodcutter
A woodcutter helps a fox hide but secretly points out its hiding place. What do you think the fox felt afterward?
- Consequences
- Responsibility
The Trader and The Donkey
After slipping into the river, a donkey notices his heavy load feels lighter. But what happens when he starts doing it on purpose?
- Greed
- Respect
The Squirrel and the Spider
A cunning spider steals a squirrel's farm by building a road and claiming ownership, but loses everything to a clever crow.
- Arrogance
- Perseverance
The Tortoise and the Hare
Steady and patient, a slow tortoise dares to race against a confident hare. Who will cross the finish line first?
- Problem-Solving
- Perseverance
The Crow and the Pitcher
A thirsty crow finds a pitcher with water too low to reach. What clever trick will he use to get a drink?
- Consequences
- Perseverance
The Ant and the Grasshopper
While the grasshopper dances through summer, the ant works hard, gathering food. Which one will survive when winter arrives?
- Resourcefulness
- Perseverance
The Bremen Town-Musicians
Four aging animals escape their fate, scare off robbers, and happily settle in a house as self-made town musicians.
Stories without borders
We’ve brought fables from around the world into 13 languages.
Read, listen and share, in the language that feels like home.
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English
387 fables
“Anansi and the Tug of War”
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العربية
40 fables
“الأسد والفأر”
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Svenska
40 fables
“Bunten med pinnar”
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isiXhosa
25 fables
“Iikati ezimbini kunye nenkawu”
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Deutsch
20 fables
“Der Elefant und der Hund”
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Español
20 fables
“El Cuervo y la Jarra”
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Français
20 fables
“La Fourmi et la Sauterelle”
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हिन्दी
20 fables
“उत्तर हवा और सूरज”
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Tagalog
20 fables
“Ang Aso at Ang Lobo”
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Português
20 fables
“A Galinha dos Ovos de Ouro”
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Pусский
20 fables
“Лиса и аист”
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中文
20 fables
“城里鼠和乡下鼠”
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Українська
20 fables
“Жабеня в Колодязі”
Loved by families & educators
What people are saying
I stumbled upon your site yesterday and I think it is absolutely amazing! I especially love how you have the stories at different English levels and also the rhyme versions of the stories. Amazing work!
The platform immediately draws my attention because of its connection to literacy, values education, imagination, mother-tongue access, and the kind of reflective thinking that supports holistic child development.
My daughter really enjoy the stories, and we always end up talking about them after reading. Even during the day, sometimes she remembers something from a fable and connects it to something that’s happening.
About FableReads
Stories children love. And more.
Stories have always helped us imagine, learn and make sense of the world. FableReads creates more ways to enjoy them together. Read. Listen. Build language. Spark curiosity. Explore feelings, choices and ideas. And open conversations that matter.
Our Vision & Mission
Why we exist, and where we're going
The world's fables belong to everyone. We're here to keep them free, share them in more languages, and help their wisdom reach every generation.
Learn more
Team & Story
Meet the people behind FableReads
One father’s search for stories his daughters could enjoy and carry with them grew into a small global team doing the same for children everywhere.
Meet the team Real-World Initiatives
From free access to real-world reach
A new language added. Books in children’s hands. Programmes running in schools and communities. Starting in South Africa.
See the bigger pictureBooks delivered to schools
Partners
What becomes possible together
FableReads collaborates with impact organisations, local expertise and linguistics across the world. Together, we expand access, shape new possibilities and bring more stories to life online and in real-world communities.
See who’s involvedMedia & IRL Highlights
Stories, people and partnerships in action
Interviews. Ideas. New languages. Real moments. See what we’re creating, and the people helping bring it to life.
Watch and explore-
Kaross Foundation -
CEC Development -
The Wireless -
Nethisa iMvula NPO
100 Fun Exercises
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