10 MORAL STORIES FOR KIDS

about the author: 

R.Lakshmi Prasuna. A girl of class 8^th in Shemrock Senior Secondary School, Mohali, Punjab, India. Born 4^th November 2011. I like anime (Pokémon, Naruto, demon slayer, jujutsu kaisen and my hero academia) and the harry potter series by J.K Rowling. I like sleeping, eating, animals, nighttime, rain, heavy thunder, plants and reading. I’m good at rollerskating and painting. I dislike clowns and animal abuse. This is my first book.

TIMELINE

1– The Importance of a Team…

2– The Crocodile’s Anger and Bird’s Pride…

3– The Jackal, The Hyena, The Capybara and The Owl…

4– Rahul’s Freckles…

5– Ashmit’s True Skill…

6– Chris and Mia…

7– What Goes Around, Comes Around…

8– Diamonds Take Millenia to Shine-but Coal Burns its Own Fire.

9– Nina’s Best Friend…

10– The Two Students…

STORY1:  THE IMPORTANCE OF A TEAM (lesson in teamwork)

There was a young boy of 11 years old, Dylan. Blonde with shining blue eyes. He was an amazing kid… good at studies and excels in most sports. But the biggest issue was his arrogance. He thought he was the best and he didn’t need anybody else. This was the main reason he had so many fights at school and at the park too. His parents were very troubled.
one day, his mother had a stern talk with his father. “He’s so prideful, I’m worried our Dylan won’t make friends in the future. What if he can’t get a good job?”, she asked in worry. “Don’t worry, my dear… I have a plan. Hopefully it’s going to work.”, her husband reassured her caringly.
the next day Dylan woke up, his father surprised him with the wonderful news that they’ve got tickets to a football match. Dylan was elated; he eagerly waited for the days to pass for the next football match which was in a week… Villarreal-CF of Spain against Swindon-Town of England. The days passed, Dylan growing more and more excited and impatient with each day that passed. Soon came the match… Dylan was overjoyed. Restlessly fidgeting in the car ride to the stadium. Once they got their seats, the young boy eagerly began viewing the players.

The national anthems were recited, the traditional ceremonies completed. The match starts! Dylan gasped and cheered at each move of the country he sided with, England. Between the match, his father began whispering into his ear… “Look how they pass the ball to each other to save goals. They can’t win if they play alone. See?”, he gently pointed out. Dylan nods, eyes wide in surprise. Dylan soon realizes if even such great footballers can’t play without relying on their team, how could he? Dylan felt guilty of each time he said he can do everything by himself and doesn’t need help.
Dylan turns to his father. “Dad… I understand why you brought me here. Is it to show me that a team is important?”. When his father nodded with a soft smile, Dylan felt a need to apologize. “Mom, Dad…I promise that from now on I’ll always work well with my team no matter how much I want to be alone. I promise!”. His mother smiles in relief, his father puffing up in pride noticing his plan worked. The family watched the match, England winning. When they returned home, they had 2 wins. Their football team, and their son’s conscience.

STORY2: THE CROCODILE’S ANGER AND BIRD’S PRIDE (lesson in anger control)

there were 2 best friends. A Saltwater Crocodile named Adam and Plover Bird named Jakari. Jakari would use his beak to peck and clean Adam’s teeth, and Adam protected him from predators. They were best friends. One day, while cleaning his teeth, Jakari accidentally pecked at his gums. Adam yelped in surprise and pain, seeing a drop of his crimson blood drip down Jakari’s beak. He was angry… very angry…

“OW! What was that for!?”, yelled the angry reptile. “You flinched and I lost balance!”, replied the avian in defense of his ego. Adam growls in anger, “That’s it! I’m not talking to you anymore! I don’t need you! Go away, Jakari!” thundered Adam. Jakari frowned, huffed and looked away while ruffling his feathers, “Fine! I’m not talking to you too! And I don’t need you too! Goodbye, you ungrateful crocodile!”, firmly retorted Jakari before flying away, too prideful to apologize to the angry Adam.
a day turned into a week, then a month. Adam had bad toothaches, dirty teeth and difficulty hunting prey because Jakari wasn’t there to clean his teeth. And Jakari was in constant terror, predators hunting the helpless bird each chance they got… and without having to clean the bugs out of Adam’s teeth he was getting very hungry. He decides he has enough and returns to Adam’s territory, expecting a stern refusal but hopeful anyways. But before he could even speak…
“I’m sorry Jakari, I let me anger win and I lashed out at you so rudely. It was unjust of me. I’m so sorry… will you forgive me? Please?”, blurted out Adam hastily. Jakari’s wings flap in excitement. “Yes! I forgive you, Adam! and I’m sorry too! I should not have been so arrogant, and I should have swallowed my pride instead of being so mean to you too…! let’s be friends again and not let such trivial squabbles separate us again!”, happily rejoiced Jakari. Adam opened his jaws, letting Jakari peck them spotless. This time, they stayed true to their words.

STORY3: THE JACKAL, THE HYENA, THE CAPYBARA AND THE OWL. (a lesson on thoughtfulness)

deep in the lush jungle, lived a family. An old, wise owl. A caring capybara. A sly jackal and a hyena prone to tomfoolery and mischief. One day, the owl lets the capybara, jackal and hyena go to ‘The Canopy Café’, a luxurious restaurant run by monkeys. The three were very, very excited. While eating, the jackal and hyena kept greedily chowing down without a care. But the capybara felt sad the owl wasn’t there to join them, so she hid a few bites and morsels of the mouth-watering delicacies into her pockets.

They return home, satisfied. They told the owl everything in excitement. “Did you bring me something too, kids?”, asked the owl eagerly. The jackal shrugged without a care “I was too busy filling my tummy for myself, sorry.”. the hyena looked down in guilt “I forgot… I’m very sorry…”.  But the capybara’s eyes lit up as she poured out sweets, fruits and more from her pockets, “I did! I bought as much as I could fit!”. The owl gives the capybara a warm smile before turning to the jackal and hyena.
“You two were very greedy, and you deserve a punishment.” Firmly stated the owl. “You two will always have to stick to stealing, eating leftovers and being disliked by most animals. Understood?”. Jackal and hyena could only nod shamefully. “As for you, capybara. You remembered me. So, I bless you to be a peaceful animal. Even crocodiles won’t harm you, instead each animal would love being near you.” Softened the owl. The capybara smiled widely, feeling grateful  she decided to be thoughtful.

STORY4: RAHUL’S FRECKLES (a lesson in accepting your body)

Rahul… the typical, 15-year-old teenage boy. Sassy, filled with attitude, humorous and has a wish to fit in. he was fairly cute, with chubby cheeks, tanned skin, bright hazel eyes and unruly hair. He was average at studies but excelled in sports. But no matter how many people complimented anything about him, he felt insecure. Insecure about the freckles on his cheeks and nose bridge. He tried to cover them up a lot, but with how much sports he does the sweat always revealed those tiny black dots on his face. His dear old grandmother, a woman in her late 60s with sapphire eyes, Rekha, was determined to get him to accept himself. And she had a plan to make him love each centimeter of himself.

Rekha and Rahul were one day wandering in the bazaar to get vegetables for home. It was a sunny afternoon, the sound of merchants and seller bargaining with customers filled the place and the smell of roasted corn flowing from the left. It was a non-eventful time, for now…

“Rahul… look there, my dear…”, muttered Rekha while pointing to a meadow nearby. Rahul turned his gaze and saw 4 kids playing tag, but something was wrong… one had black glasses, he was blind. The other had crutches, she was missing her left leg. Another giggled while running away, she had no arms. The fourth was a boy dashing about to try catch the others, he was running around silly and looked rather strange, because he had down syndrome.

“Rahul… look… they love themselves despite having such limitations. God gave you such amazing features, yet you get discouraged by simple freckles… God made you in his image, just like everybody… and God is perfect. So, you’re perfect too. You should also love yourself fully, okay, my dear?”, explained Rekha soothingly. Rahul nods, a determined yet nervous gleam in his eyes as he smirks. “I got it, Rekha-Nani. I’ll also love my body and its abilities. I also will not forget to thank God for giving me an able body each day and night. Thank you, thank you very much!”. They embrace each other and finish their vegetable shopping. A few days passed, Rahul kept his promise. He prayed to God morning and evening, never hid his freckles and even helped other insecure kids face their anxiety.

STORY5: ASHMIT’S TRUE SKILL (a lesson in how a bad thing always has a good thing to back it up)

Ashmit… a 13-year-old boy in a wheelchair. He lost his legs when he was a young boy who got hit by a car and had to get amputation to save his life. His parents couldn’t afford prosthetics, so he was forced to the confines of a wheelchair. He got bullied, teased and practically tormented at school. He was too shy to speak up about it. Even the teachers barely noticed his existence in class. Everybody thought he was a sore looser with no hope to succeed in life.

One day during an especially dull Math lecture, a teacher enters the class. “Class, attention! There is a history quiz against schools throughout the country! Those who join will be given a booklet to revise from. Also, the winning prize is ₹150,000! Anybody wishes to participate for the trials?”. Much to the class’s surprise, Ashmit raised his hand to participate. The students laugh like hyenas, not believing if it was a dream or not. But Ashmit was stoic and serious. The teacher notes down his name on a piece of paper.

The quiz arrives; most candidates struggle. But Ashmit aced through the test, as if a real historian wrote instead of him! And no matter what, the invigilators couldn’t find a hint of cheating, sneaking answers or unfair means used by the boy. The month passes. Everybody tense, curious, nervous or excited.

The results arrived; Ashmit topped and won first place. Everybody was shocked, jaws dropped and gasps echoing through the auditorium they were currently in to hear the results. The boy in a wheelchair, a history genius!? Ashmit got his prize money, rolled his wheelchair to the podium and began his speech. “Surprised the weak, defenseless kid stuck in a wheelchair beat everybody and scored first? Jokes on you, you shouldn’t have judged the book by the cover.”, he spoke into the mic before rolling away in his wheelchair. The realization sunk deep. It wasn’t physical limits; but mental barriers, self insecurity and laziness a person needed to surpass for success.

STORY6: CHRIS AND MIA (lesson on wisdom walks silently)

In class 3B, Miss Daisy-the teacher, was checking the results of a quiz, but silently listening to the class chatter. Mia, the loud bully of the class who was getting orally tested from her peers and acing the problems, was confidently boasting and bragging. She was even making mean comments on other kids of the class. Then there was Chris, a shy boy who never spoke up in class and was always overshadowed. Doodling in his seat alone. Miss Daisy checked her schedule and remembered something.

“Kids! Settle down! There is a quiz in your class today! I’ve made groups of 5 for you already! Now… you will have to work together to find answers to questions in the classroom. I’m distributing the sheets now, best of luck!”, she announced loudly. And what were the odds… Mia and Chris together with 3 other kids. Their group followed Mia’s instructions eagerly, trying to please her and get on her good side. Chris did his work silently. Until the last section… which needed utmost attention to detail. Mia kept hurrying, but led the group wrong. Chris observed and wrote the correct answers. Upon seeing this, the entire group burst into uncontrollable giggles and laughter. Chris ignored them, knowing karmas on his side for now.

The next day, Miss Daisy announced the results, Chris got first place as he was the only person who took notice of all the details. The class stared, flabbergasted, Chris just kept fidgeting with his pen. “You see, a true smart person never announces it out loud. Learn from Chris, class. Especially you, Mia.”, Miss Daisy sternly comments. Mia nods, looking down with a blush of embarrassment since that day, nobody dared to tease Chris.

STORY7:  WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND (a lesson in karma)

Madison Rose, a woman who worked hard to get the job, currently was at her desk working diligently. She kept typing codes to get a result, but try as she might she kept failing. Madeline and Jenny, a duo in her office was slacking off, done with their work for now, they see her and roll their eyes. Until Madison succeeds, they come over and scoff. “Really? That was so easy, how did it take you so long?”, criticized Madeline. “You are so stupid… the CEO’s going to laugh at you, you know?” added Jenny cruelly. “Oh man… I wish he’d use it and see it fails, then fire you.”, chuckled Madeline meanly. Madison ignored them and saved the code and Excel-sheet.

The very same night, Madison walked into the CEO’s office timidly. The CEO took a look, eyes widening. “My god… why didn’t I think of that? You’re a genius! Let’s utilize it as soon as possible. Good work, Madison.”, the CEO praised. Madison nodded and clocked out, returning home. The weeks passed, she remained anxious… the words of the two bullies ringing in the back of her mind each second.

The day of the results arrived; everybody was in the auditorium of their office building waiting for the CEO’s entrance to tell them the news he was keeping a secret till now. The CEO steps to the podium and began explaining how the company grew exponentially due to ‘a certain some ones’ genius plan. “And the award for ‘the troubleshooter who helped us out of the recent crisis’ goes to… MADISON!”
cheers an applause ring out, Madison’s nerves ease up fully as she makes way to the stage to get the bouquet and medal. From the stage, she saw Jenny and Madeline sulking and grumbling. Madison smiled widely, satisfied-justice was served right.

STORY8: DIAMONDS TAKE MILLENIA TO SHINE-BUT COAL BURNS IT’S FIRE TOO. (a lesson in how greatness takes time, and how everybody has worth)

Deep in a cave, lived two friends. A beautiful diamond and a black coal. The diamond shined and shimmered, her aura one of elegance and beauty. Coal was envious and sad, she wished she could be like diamond too. One day, coal asks, “Diamond, how are you so beautiful?”
“I was first a coal, just like you, my friend! But I spent millions of years stuck in rocks. The high pressure and heat were so painful… but I endured it and in reward God made me a diamond who shines brightly!”, explained diamond eagerly.
coal was shocked. Diamond was so beautiful, but she came from coal too. Seeing her friend’s surprise, “You know, you’re extremely beautiful too. In other means. Humans need you to cook, burn things, keep themselves warm in winter, power trains and even run some factories! You might not be pretty to look at, but you don’t even need looks because you’re already a valuable resource!” Diamond reassured. Coal smiled, internally swearing to never compare herself again.

STORY9: NINA’S BEST FRIEND (a lesson in how old people leave to make space for new people)

Nina was a young girl aged 11, she was kind and optimistic. She always had a need for external approval. Her best friend, Leah, was a cruel girl who bullied for fun and just kept Nina around to use her. Nina would always stick to Leah, but Leah kept making especially rude comments to bring her down and berate her. Until one day, Nina decides she won’t take it anymore.

“Leah, I’m not talking to you anymore. You keep bullying me and guilt-tripping me to get your way and I will not stand it anymore!”, firmly declared Nina, this time knowing she won’t give in. “Really? You’re going to abandon me after everything I did for you?! A few friendly comments here and there and you’re ruining our friendship? You can’t even take a joke! You don’t even care about how I might feel… you’re a monster! A bully! A dictator!”, Leah moped, feigning devastation to try keep her emotional punching bag- Nina- with her. “I won’t fall for your lies anymore.” Sternly Nina stated. Leah leaves, grumbling. But upon reaching home, Nina shut herself in her room to cry. It took her a long time to adjust to the serenity of loneliness.

A new kid joins school, Ashley, she was shy, timid and avoided being near bullied as much as she could. Nina tries to be her friend. Their friendship blossomed; they became inseparable. one bland Tuesday, Nina revealed about herself and Leah. “Sometimes… God forces you to realize if somebody is good for you. And even if you aren’t ready to let go, you have to. But I am really glad I could be your best friend now, Nina. Leah doesn’t deserve you.”, explained Ashely in her usual soft voice. Nina smiles and nods, they pack their lunch and go to the washroom to wash their oily hands, discussing about Ashley’s birthday tomorrow.

STORY10: THE TWO STUDENTS (a lesson in how without sacrifices, nothing feels valuable)

In class 11^th, there were 2 students. Rohan and Mahesh. Rohan was honest, hardworking and creative… he always made notes by himself and tried his best to copy as least as possible from his peers. Then there was Mahesh, he never paid attention in class, but got his work done with AI. Mahesh never read the textbook, just relied on artificial intelligence, online videos, links, Wikipedia and more. They always butted heads during group projects; they could never get along if studies were involved. Mahesh always made fun of Rohan for wasting his life by spending nights without sleeping to study. But Rohan always kept to his study methods, knowing that he will succeed. The day of judgement came during the final exams…

In the examination hall… Rohan kept writing his answers and making his points, he remembered everything because he wrote his notes himself. And Mahesh, struggling so much he had tears in his eyes. His hands shook and vision blurred as he tried to focus, but he soon regretted relying on AI so much. The results came later. Rohan topped the class with a whopping 97.9%! While Mahesh had failed miserably. Mahesh was forced to redo class 11^th while he saw Rohan getting promoted to 12^th. Since then, Mahesh lost his trust in AI all along and borrowed Rohan’s notes to rewrite to his own understanding to try pass.