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There is a reason why moral stories have been around for centuries. They teach us a lot about life and remind us of what is truly important.
Today we will share 32 moral stories in English that will inspire your child to be a better person. These stories will surely warm their hearts and make them think about the world in a new way.
These stories deal with different aspects of life, such as love, family, friendship, and more. We hope you enjoy them!
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Moral Stories in English
1. The Lion and the Mouse
Moral: Kindness is never wasted.
A well-known fable by Aesop is “The Lion and The Mouse.” This story is about a lion who spared the life of a mouse. The mouse then returns the favor by helping the lion when he is in danger. This story shows us that life is full of surprises, and kind deeds get rewarded.
2. The Ant and the Grasshopper
Moral: There is a time for work and a time for play.
“The Ant and the Grasshopper” is another popular moral story. This tale is about a grasshopper who spends his days singing and playing instead of preparing for winter. The ant works hard all summer to store up food. When winter comes, the grasshopper has nothing to eat, while the ant is warm and well-fed. This story teaches us the importance of hard work and planning ahead.
3. The Boy Who Cried Wolf
Moral: Liars aren’t believed even when they tell the truth.
“The Boy Who Cried Wolf” is a classic story that has been around for centuries. This story is about a shepherd boy who tricks the villagers by crying “wolf” when there is no danger. The villagers eventually get tired of his games and don’t believe him when he cries “wolf” for real. This story teaches us the importance of telling the truth.
4. The Hare and the Tortoise
Moral: You can be more successful by doing things slowly and steadily rather than quickly and carelessly.
The fable is about a hare who mocks a tortoise for being slow. The tortoise then challenges the hare to a race. The hare runs fast at first but then takes a nap in the middle of the race. The tortoise slowly but surely passes the hare and wins the race. Slow and steady wins the race!
5. The Blue Jackal
Moral: Don’t be too greedy.
“The Blue Jackal” is a moral story about a jackal that jumps into a large pool of blue dye. When he returned to the jungle, all the animals were confused to see such a strange-looking animal. Then he had a clever idea. He pretended that he was sent there by the creator of the universe and announced himself as king. Everyone believed him until they soon later figured out he was just a jackal.
6. The Goose and the Golden Egg
Moral: Those who have plenty want more and so lose all they have.
In the tale “The Goose and the Golden Egg,” a farmer finds a golden goose. He is so excited about his new discovery that he kills the goose to get all the gold. However, when he opens up the goose, he finds that it is just like any other goose. This story teaches us that greed does not pay off in the end.
7. A Wise Old Owl
Moral: When you speak less and listen more, you become wiser and smarter
“A Wise Old Owl” teaches us about being wise and the virtue of silence. The story is about an owl who is wise and hears many things. He spoke less and less and heard more and more. This is available as both a nursery rhyme and a moral story.
8. Jack and the Beanstalk
Moral: Take advantage of the opportunities life provides for you.
“Jack and the Beanstalk” is a classic moral story passed down for generations. In this tale, Jack trades his cow for some magic beans. His mother is very angry with him but decides to plant the beans anyway. The following day, Jack wakes up to find a giant beanstalk growing outside his window. He climbs the beanstalk and finds a giant’s castle in the clouds.
9. The Ugly Duckling
Moral: Don’t judge a person by outward appearance.
“The Ugly Duckling” is a celebrated Hans Christian Andersen story that teaches us about inner beauty. In this tale, an ugly duckling is born into a family of beautiful ducks. The other ducks make fun of him, and he feels very alone. He eventually grows up to be a beautiful swan. This story teaches us what‘s on the inside counts and raises questions about bullying and discrimination.
10. The Brahim’s Dream
Moral: Do not build castles in the air.
In the tale, a man called Brahim receives so much rice and is so happy he can’t keep his eyes off the bowl. That night, he has a dream in which he trades rice for money, and a series of events lead to him becoming a wealthy farmer and having his own wife and son. When he wakes up, he realizes that it is only a dream.
11. The Gingerbread Man
Moral: Be careful when dealing with strangers.
In the tale, a gingerbread man comes to life and runs away from the people who want to eat him. He meets many animals along the way, but none of them can catch him. Eventually, he meets a fox who tricks him into coming close enough to eat him. This story teaches us to be careful of strangers.
12. The Three Little Pigs
Moral: Hard work pays off.
“The Three Little Pigs” is a classic moral story that has been told for generations. In this tale, three little pigs build houses out of straw, sticks, and bricks. The big bad wolf comes and blows down the first two houses, but he can’t blow down the third house. This story teaches us the importance of hard work and doing things the right way.
13. The Fox and the Goat
Moral: Look before you leap.
“The Fox and the Goat” is a tale about a fox who falls into a deep well. A thirsty goat comes by the well. The fox comes up with a plan to get out of the well. He tells the goat that the water is the finest. The goat jumps in, and the fox jumps on its horns to escape. This story teaches us to think before we act.
14. The Camel and the Pig
Moral: It is always best to be yourself.
“The Camel and the Pig” examines the question: is it better to be short or tall? In this Indian fable, a camel and pig are arguing about which is better. They were both hungry. The camel could reach over a low wall and eat the plants from the garden. The pig could not. They came to another garden, this time with a high wall. The pig could squeeze his short body under the gate. The camel couldn’t.
15. The Emperor’s New Clothes
Moral: Speak up for the truth and what’s right.
“The Emperor’s New Clothes” is a fun story that teaches us about bravery, vanity, truth, wisdom, and naivety. In this tale, an emperor is tricked by two weavers who say they can make him a magical suit of clothes. The emperor agrees to wear the clothes, but in reality, he is wearing nothing at all. It takes a brave little boy to point out that the emperor is naked, and everyone finally sees the truth.
16. The Midas Touch
Moral: You should never be greedy in life.
“The Midas Touch” is a moral story that teaches us about being greedy. In this tale, King Midas is granted a wish by a fairy. He wishes that everything he touches turns into gold. At first, he is excited but realizes he can’t even touch his daughter without turning her into gold. This story teaches us that greed is not good.
17. Elephant and Friends
Moral: Friends come in all shapes and sizes.
“Elephant and Friends” is a moral story that teaches us about being kind. In this tale, an elephant is not accepted because he cannot do anything the other animals can do. One day, a tiger comes to eat the animals, and the elephant helps his friends who are in danger. This story teaches us the importance of being kind to others and that friends come in all shapes and sizes.
18. The Fox and the Stork
Moral: Don’t play tricks on your neighbor unless you can tolerate the same treatment.
“The Fox and the Stork” teaches us about being kind. In this tale, a fox invites a stork over for dinner. The fox serves soup but only gives the stork a shallow bowl, so he can’t eat any of it. The stork gets revenge by inviting the fox over for dinner and serving him food that he can’t eat.
19. Be Wise While Counting
Moral: A witty answer will serve its purpose.
“Be Wise While Counting” is about an emperor called Akbar who often asked strange questions and riddles. Once, he asked a question, and his courtiers couldn’t think of the answer. One man named Birbal, who knew the emperor’s nature, gave a witty answer that served its purpose.
20. Three Billy Goats Gruff
Moral: Don’t be greedy.
“Three Billy Goats Gruff” is a moral story that teaches us about bravery and greed. In this tale, three billy goats must cross a bridge to get to the other side. A troll lives under the bridge and wants to eat them. The first two goats trick the troll into waiting for a bigger meal, and the third goat is brave and charges at the troll. The lesson is not to be greedy for the biggest prize and appreciate what you have.
21. The Dog at the Well
Moral: Always do what your elders say. Question them, but don’t defy them.
“The Dog at the Well” is about a pup who is told by his mother not to go near the well. One day, the puppy goes to the well and falls in. He barks until the farmer rescues him.
22. Bambi
Moral: Life still moves on after death.
“Bambi” is about a young deer named Bambi who is born in the forest. He makes friends with all the animals and learns important life lessons from them. One day, a hunter kills Bambi’s mother. His father, the old stag, eventually dies, and Bambi becomes the Great Prince of the Forest, and he falls in love with a young doe. This story teaches us how to cope with loss and devastation.
23. The Elves and the Shoemaker
Moral: Be thankful for the help from others and try to help others when they need it.
“The Elves and the Shoemaker” teaches us the importance of hard work. In this tale, two elves voluntarily come to help a shoemaker make shoes. The elves do all of the work while the shoemaker sleeps. In the morning, the shoemaker wakes up to find that his shoes are finished. This continues every night until the shoemaker is rich. In the end, the shoemaker returns the favor.
24. The Clever Monkey Rides Again
Moral: Don’t be a bully.
“The Clever Monkey” is a classic story from West Africa about a lion who is a bully to the other animals in the jungle. A clever monkey tricks and ridicules the lion, and he never returns to that part of the jungle again. Readers learn the importance of courage and not bullying others.
25. The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Moral: God is willing to forgive us for our sins.
“The Parable of the Prodigal Son” is a bible story that teaches us about forgiveness. In this parable, a man has two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance and then leaves home. He squanders all of his money and ends up penniless. He returns home, and his father forgives him. This story teaches us the importance of forgiveness and second chances.
26. The Needle Tree
Moral: Remember to be thankful and kind, and you will be rewarded.
“The Needle Tree” is a story about a mean boy who mistreats his brother. The mean brother finds a magical tree that produces golden apples. He threatens to cut down the tree if it doesn’t make more golden apples. The tree showered him with needles, and the caring younger sibling of the boy helped him. The boy apologizes for mistreating him, and the tree begins to give them both golden apples again.
27. The Milkmaid and Her Pail
Moral: Don’t count your chickens before they have hatched.
“The Milkmaid and Her Pail” is about a milkmaid walking to town with a pail of milk. She’s daydreaming about all of the things she’ll buy with the money she gets from selling the milk. She is so caught up in her daydreams that she tosses her head and spills all the milk.
28. The Bear and the Two Friends
Moral: A friend who does not help his friend in times of need is not a true friend.
In this tale, two friends need to get to the village, but they must cross the forest first. They come across a wild bear. One friend climbed up the tree and refused to help his other friend. The other friend pretended he was dead until the bear went away.
29. Pinocchio
Moral: Honesty is the best policy.
“Pinocchio” is a story about a wooden puppet who comes to life. Pinocchio lies, and his nose grows longer each time he tells a lie. In the end, Pinocchio learns that honesty is the best policy.
30. The Frog Prince Story
Moral: Don’t judge a book by its cover.
“The Frog Prince Story” is about a frog who fetches the princess’s golden ball. The princess agrees to take care of the frog, even though she doesn’t want to. She grew fond of him. One day, the frog turns into a prince. In the end, she learns never to judge by first glance.
31. Robin Hood Story
Moral: It is better to give than to receive.
“Robin Hood Story” is about a man who takes from the rich and gives to the poor. He wants to do the “right thing” and doesn’t want to let the oppressive laws stop him. Many believed he was a thief and a wrongdoer of the law.
32. Peter Pan Story
Moral: Everyone has to grow up and embrace the adventure
“Peter Pan Story” is about a boy who never wants to grow up and is eternally youthful. He lives in a world of make-believe and fantasy. Peter Pan needs to rescue the children from Captain Hook. He takes his friend back to Neverland every year until she grows up and can no longer go with him.
How To Make Reading More Interesting For Kids?
There are many ways to make reading more interesting for kids.
- One way is to read aloud to them with expression. This will help them to understand the emotions behind the story.
- You can let them choose their own books to read. This will help them to find stories that they are interested in.
- Ask them questions about the story as they are reading it. This will help them to think critically about what they are reading.
Using these methods, you can help your child develop a love for reading.
In Conclusion
These are just some of the many moral stories in English that have been passed down for generations. These stories teach us important lessons about life, love, and friendship. What’s your favorite moral story? Share it with us in the comments below!
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Caitriona Maria is an education writer and founder of TPR Teaching, crafting inspiring pieces that promote the importance of developing new skills. For 7 years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.
