Krishna and Sudama

Sudama and Krishna were childhood friends. They first met at the ashram of Guru Sandipani. After few years, the boys completed their studies and went apart. Krishna married Rukmini and ruled Dwaraka. Sudama, in the meantime, married a poor brahman girl. Sudama led a life of poverty as he was not attached to any wordly possessions. His wife was too good who as well did not crave for luxuries.

Soon, children were born to Sudama and his wife. As the children grew older, they began to ask their parents for better food and the comforts of life. Sudama's wife could not bear to see them hungry.One day, she said to Sudama hesistantly, " My lord, You could ask Krishna for help, for isn't he rich and powerful?" But Sudama was not comfortable in seeking help from his friend. But his wife insisted for the sake of the children. Sudama agreed to see his friend but told that he would not ask his friend for anything.

Sudama's wife borrowed some poha from a neighbour and wrapped it in a clean rag and gave it to Sudama. Later, he left for Dwaraka. Krishna was overjoyed after seeing Sudama. He made him sit down and washed his feet. Rukmini fanned him gently. Sudama was overhelmed by the love that krishna showered on him. He hesitated to give Krishna the poha thinking it was a little gift to someone like him. But Krishna read his mind and snatched it from his hand. "Poha, my favourite dish" said Krishna and ate a handful greedily. Before, he could take a second handful, Rukmini stopped him saying "One mouthful will give him all that he needs, my Lord".  Being the goddess of wealth, she was responsible for its distribution.

Next morning, Sudama left Dwaraka. His heart was full, though he did not ask for anything from Krishna. As he approached his house, he saw a grand mansion. His wife and children came out of it wearing jewels and fine clothes. Then he understood Rukmini's words.

Moral: True friendship is a blessing.

Foolish Donkey

Once upon a time, there lived a washerman. He had a lean and weak Donkey. The washerman thought of feeding the donkey properly so that he becomes strong and healthy to carry more load on his back.
But from where could the washerman afford to get the grass for the donkey?

One day, when the washerman had gone to another village, he bought a tiger skin. Now everynight, the washerman clothed the donkey with the tiger skin and set him free in the fields. The donkey would graze to his heart's content. Before dawn, the washerman would bring back the donkey back to his house and take the skin off the body. This continued happily for many nights

"A tiger is spotted in the fields at nights". The news spread in the village like wild fire. The donkey become very strong and healthy. One night as usual the washerman clothed the donkey with the tiger skin and set him free to graze in a field. As the donkey was grazing peacefully, he heard another donkey braying at a distance.

The washerman's donkey was tempted to bray loudly. He could hardly wait to chew the grass in his mouth. He pricked up his ears, raised his head towards the sky and began to bray as loudly as he could. The watchman of the field picked up his stick. He called all the watchmen of the nearby fields.

"Look", he said, pointing towards the donkey, " the tiger is braying!". All the watchmen got together and thrashed the "tiger" mercilessly. Poor donkey!!! he lay in the field half dead.

The Donkey and the Lion

There lived a Donkey in a forest. One day, it went for a stroll. It saw a hen on a tree. The donkey stood under it and was chatting with the hen. Suddenly they saw a lion searching for food.

The Lion was happy looking at these two animals and thought of a delicious meal. It was about to attack them. The Donkey was frightened at the sight of the lion and thought it cannot escape from the hands of the lion. The hen stayed calm and told that it can frighten the lion with its sound. The hen waited for the lion to come nearer. It started shouting at the top of its voice. The Lion was terrified with the sound and turned away.

The donkey was amazed looking at the valor of the hen. It gained courage and went to attack the lion. The hen warned the donkey about its attempt. The donkey ignored it and went towards the lion.
The lion turned back and saw the donkey coming its way. It attacked the donkey by jumping over it.
The donkey shouted for help but the hen ignored it. The lion dragged the donkey away.

Moral: Confidence is good, but over confidence is dangerous.

The Tree and the Grass

There was a big tree in a ground. It had huge branches grown all alover and a large area was covered under it. people used to rest under it to vade the hot rays of the sun. The tree was proud of its height and used to boast about it.

There was a small grass grown next to the tree. The tree always made fun of the grass about its height. "You are so small...You cant even look at me properly.
You have to raise your head to look at me" said the tree. The grass never replied to the tree.

One day, there was a strong wind. The tree started shaking vigorously. It could not hold on and uprooted itself. The grass just shook a little and came back to the original position. After a little while, the wind calmed down. The grass said " oh friend, I may not be tall as you but I am safe and secure. I can hold on to myself."

The tree realized its mistake and begged for pardon.

Moral : Never condemn others looking at your greatness as nothing exists for ever.

The Rabbit and its Friends

There lived a rabbit in a forest. It had several friends and therefore it was proud about it.
One day, a fox attacked the rabbit. The rabbit went to the horse for help. "Oh my friend horse, a fox is behind me, can you please take me from here" requested the rabbit. The horse said " I am already late for work, why don't you ask the goat ". The rabbit went to the goat for help, but the goat moved away telling it was busy.
The rabbit went to the cow and said " oh dear friend, a fox is following me. Please help me?"
Listening to the name of the Fox, the cow moved on telling it was frightened of Fox.

The rabbit was disappointed with all his friends and ran as quickly as possible to save its life from the Fox.

Moral: It is always advisable to have one good friend than to have many who do not help us in need.

The Lion and the Rat

This is my first blog. I am trying to collate all the short stories which we can narrate to the kids.

First story which is very popular for years and yet the favourite to all of them.

Lion and the Rat:

Once there lived a lion in a forest. It was fast asleep under a tree. There came a rat running around. It was all playing to itself. It climbed the lion thinking it was a rock and continued playing on it. Suddenly the lion felt a tickling sensation and turned around to find a rat running over it. The lion turned fierce and roared at the rat. The rat was frightened and ran away to save his life.


After few days, the lion was trapped in a net by a hunter. The rat happened to pass that way and found the lion in the net. Moved by scene, the rat cut the net in to pieces with its sharp teeth. The lion was freed from the net. The Lion thanked the rat for its help and moved on.

Moral: Should always help the needy.