Are you looking for perfect bedtime stories for kids to share with your child? If so, you are in the right place. These stories will not only ignite their imagination but also calm their minds before going to sleep.
Being a parent you already know, how important the bedtime routine is for your child. It is a special moment that becomes memorable and definitely one of the best ways to do this is by narrating bedtime stories to your kid. This will not only help them with relaxation but boost their creative thinking and improve language skills.
In this blog, I am super excited to share 10 bedtime stories for kids to make their night routine enjoyable and bring them peaceful nights. It’s a collection of short stories, fairy tales, and moral lessons I read in my childhood.
So let’s explore, bedtime stories for kids…
Midas and the Golden Touch
King Midas was a ruler known for his greed and insatiable love for gold. Despite his wealth, he was never content and always craved more.
One day, after performing a good deed, a Greek God appeared before him to reward his kindness. The God offered to grant Midas anything he desired. Without hesitation, Midas wished for everything he touched to turn into gold. The God, though skeptical, granted his wish.
Overjoyed, Midas began testing his newfound power. He touched furniture, flowers, and even stones, marveling as they transformed into gleaming gold. However, his excitement was short-lived. When he sat down to eat, every piece of food he touched turned into solid gold, leaving him unable to eat. Hunger gnawed at him, but he could do nothing to satisfy it.
The situation worsened when his daughter, seeing his distress, hugged him to console him. To his horror, she too turned into a lifeless gold statue. Midas was devastated. The weight of his greed struck him as he realized that his love for gold had cost him his most cherished treasure—his daughter.
Heartbroken, Midas pleaded with the Greek God to take back the Golden Touch. Seeing his genuine regret, the God told him to bathe in the river near his palace. He was then instructed to collect water from the river and sprinkle it on anything he wished to restore. Midas obeyed and managed to reverse his curse. His daughter returned to life, and his joy knew no bounds.
From that day on, Midas learned to value the true treasures of life—love, family, and contentment. He abandoned his greed and became a wiser, more compassionate king.
Moral of the Story:
Greed can lead to great loss, and true happiness comes from cherishing what truly matters in life.
The Musical Donkey
A washerman owned a donkey named Udhata. During the day, Udhata worked hard carrying heavy loads. At night, the washerman would let him roam freely to graze in the fields. One evening, Udhata met a jackal, and the two became fast friends. Together, they would sneak into nearby farms to find food while the farmers slept.
Udhata loved munching on vegetables from the fields, while the jackal preferred to hunt for poultry. Their partnership worked well until one night, Udhata was feeling particularly cheerful. He told the jackal he wanted to sing a song to express his joy.
The jackal, wise and cautious, warned Udhata, “This is not the right time or place to sing. If the farmers hear you, they’ll catch us!”
But Udhata, stubborn and proud of his “musical talent,” ignored the jackal’s advice. He began braying loudly, his “song” echoing through the quiet night. The jackal, sensing danger, quickly ran away to hide.
As expected, the noise woke up the farmers. Angry and alarmed, they rushed to the field with sticks in hand. Finding Udhata munching on their vegetables, they beat him mercilessly and chased him away.
Bruised and regretful, Udhata limped back to the washerman’s house, realizing too late that the jackal was right.
Moral of the Story:
There is a right time and place for everything. Failing to recognize it can lead to unnecessary trouble.
The Apple Tree and the Farmer
Once upon a time, there was a farmer who lived near a forest. In his garden stood an old apple tree surrounded by colorful flowers and plants. As a child, the farmer had spent countless happy days playing under the tree’s shade and enjoying its delicious apples.
However, years passed, and the apple tree grew old and stopped bearing fruit. The farmer, now an adult, saw no use for the tree anymore. He decided to cut it down to make furniture, forgetting the joyful moments he had spent under its branches.
The apple tree was home to many creatures—squirrels, sparrows, grasshoppers, and bees. When the farmer took his axe to chop the tree, these animals rushed out in panic.
“Please don’t cut the tree,” begged the little squirrel. “This is my home.”
“Don’t destroy my nest,” cried the sparrows.
The grasshopper pleaded, “This tree gives us life and shelter. Please let it live!”
But the farmer, blinded by practicality, ignored their cries. He began chopping the tree harder. Seeing no other option, the animals promised, “We’ll sing for you when you work in the fields and keep your little boy happy. Please spare the tree.”
Their pleas seemed futile. But as the farmer swung his axe again, he noticed a beehive filled with golden honey. Curious, he tasted the honey, and its sweetness triggered a flood of childhood memories—climbing the tree, eating its apples, and laughing without a care.
Moved by the memories, the farmer paused. The bees and other animals quickly promised to repay his kindness:
The bee said, “I’ll give you sweet honey forever.”
The squirrel offered, “Take as many nuts as you need.”
The birds chirped, “We’ll fill your days with our songs.”
Realizing the tree’s value, the farmer put down his axe. He understood that the apple tree, though old, still had much to offer. It was not just a tree but a home and a source of joy for many.
Smiling, he told the animals, “I will never cut this tree. I made a mistake, but now I see its true worth.”
From that day on, the farmer protected the tree and let his son enjoy the same childhood joys he had experienced. The animals lived happily, and the apple tree stood tall, spreading peace and harmony.
Moral of the Story:
Every living thing has a purpose in nature. We must cherish and protect the environment, for it sustains us all.
Think Before You Speak
It was a bright and pleasant day at the railway station. People bustled around, grabbing snacks, sipping tea, and waiting for the train. Among the crowd was a lively group of young friends heading out on vacation. Their energy was infectious as they chatted, laughed, and made plans.
When the train’s arrival was announced, the station buzzed with excitement. The friends eagerly ran to secure their reserved seats. As the train began to fill, an elderly man and his 15-year-old son boarded at the last moment, settling into seats near the group.
The boy seemed unusually excited. Looking out the window, he exclaimed with wonder, “Dad, the train is moving, and everything outside is going backward!” His father smiled warmly and nodded.
As the train picked up speed, the boy’s excitement grew. “Look, Dad! The trees are so green, and they’re rushing backward so fast!” he shouted. His father, still smiling, replied gently, “Yes, son, they are.”
A fruit vendor passed by, and the boy eagerly asked for an apple. After tasting it, he said, “It looks sweeter than it tastes, but I love the color!” His childlike enthusiasm caught the attention of the nearby friends, who began observing him curiously.
One of the friends, puzzled by the boy’s behavior, leaned over to his father and asked, “Is something wrong with your son? Why is he acting so strangely?” Another friend smirked and joked loudly, “Maybe he’s mad.”
The father looked at them calmly and replied, “My son was born blind. Just a few days ago, he had surgery that restored his sight. He’s seeing the world for the very first time.”
Hearing this, the group fell silent, ashamed of their thoughtless words. They quickly apologized to the father and son, realizing the depth of the boy’s joy and the importance of his experiences.
Moral of the Story:
Think before you speak. Words have the power to hurt or heal, and understanding someone’s story can change your perspective entirely.
The Devoted Mother
One sunny morning, a mother duck and her ducklings were happily waddling their way to a nearby lake. The ducklings followed their mother closely, quacking joyfully as they went.
Suddenly, the mother duck spotted a fox lurking in the distance. Fear gripped her, but she quickly called out, “Children, hurry to the lake! There’s a fox!”
The little ducklings immediately obeyed, rushing toward the safety of the water. Meanwhile, the mother duck, determined to protect her babies, devised a clever plan. She began dragging one wing along the ground, pretending to be injured.
The fox noticed her unusual behavior and thought, “She must be hurt! This is my chance to catch her easily!” Excited, he started chasing her.
The mother duck led the fox away from her ducklings, cleverly luring him farther from the lake. She kept glancing back to ensure her little ones were safe. When she finally saw them reach the lake, relief washed over her.
Exhausted, she paused to catch her breath. Seeing this, the fox thought she was too tired to escape and lunged closer. But before he could catch her, the mother duck spread her wings and flew into the air. She landed gracefully in the middle of the lake, where her ducklings quickly swam to her.
The fox stopped at the water’s edge, stunned and frustrated. He realized he had been tricked. The mother duck had outsmarted him, and now her family was safe in the lake, far beyond his reach.
Moral of the Story:
A mother’s love knows no bounds. Courage, intelligence, and sacrifice are the hallmarks of true devotion.
The Foolish Brahmin and the Crooks
One day, a simple and honest Brahmin performed sacred rituals for a wealthy merchant. As a token of gratitude, the merchant gifted him a goat. The Brahmin, pleased with the gift, hoisted the goat onto his shoulders and began his journey home.
As he walked, three cunning crooks noticed him. They decided to trick him and steal the goat. They devised a plan and spread out along the Brahmin’s path.
The first crook approached the Brahmin and exclaimed, “O Brahmin, why are you carrying a dog on your shoulders?”
The Brahmin was puzzled but ignored the comment, thinking it was a mistake. He continued walking.
A little farther down the road, the second crook stopped him and asked mockingly, “Why would a holy man like you carry a dog on his shoulders? It’s disgraceful!”
Now the Brahmin began to doubt himself. “Could it really be a dog?” he wondered but still continued on his way.
Finally, the third crook blocked his path and laughed, “What kind of Brahmin are you, carrying a filthy dog like that? Have you lost your mind?”
By this point, the Brahmin was completely convinced. “If three different people say it’s a dog, then it must be true,” he thought. Without even looking at the animal, he threw the goat to the ground and walked away.
The crooks, overjoyed at their success, grabbed the goat and disappeared into the forest, leaving the foolish Brahmin to regret his gullibility.
Moral of the Story:
If a lie is repeated often enough, it may seem true to the naive and gullible. Always think critically and verify facts before believing them.
The Poor Farmer
Once in a village, a rich and arrogant man lived. One day, a poor farmer approached him, desperate for help.
“Sir,” the farmer pleaded, “I’ve lost my crops and my family is starving. Please lend me some money or give me a job.”
The rich man, reluctant to lose money, thought, If I give him money, he won’t be able to repay me. Instead, I’ll hire him to work on my farm. After all, I need workers.
The next morning, the farmer began working tirelessly on the rich man’s fields. Despite his hard work, the rich man paid him only 200 rupees daily. Grateful yet struggling, the farmer accepted the meager payment, hoping to provide for his family.
After some time, the fieldwork was completed. The rich man decided he no longer needed the farmer. “You’ve finished the work,” he said. “Take your payment and don’t return.”
The farmer begged, “Please don’t dismiss me, sir. I have no other means to support my family.” But the rich man refused, dismissing him coldly.
The next morning, the farmer sat outside the rich man’s house, pleading for work. Day after day, he returned, even offering to work for half the pay. Still, the rich man turned him away angrily. Frustrated, the rich man eventually left the village to avoid the farmer’s persistence.
Days later, the rich man returned home. Relieved not to find the farmer waiting outside, he assumed the man had moved on. However, curiosity got the better of him. “What happened to that farmer?” he wondered.
He asked around and learned that one night while he was away, thieves had tried to rob his house. The farmer, still sitting outside, had fought to stop them. In the process, the farmer was injured and was now recovering at home.
Shocked and ashamed, the rich man realized his mistake. He visited the injured farmer and said, “I’m deeply sorry. I treated you poorly and misjudged you. Here’s the payment I owe you and more for your bravery.”
The farmer, despite everything, forgave the rich man, thankful for his kindness.
Moral of the Story:
We should treat everyone with respect and kindness because we never know when someone we disregard may become our savior.
The Miser and His Gold
Once there was a miser who hated spending his wealth. He had a large amount of gold, but instead of using it, he buried it under a tree in his garden.
Every day, he would dig up the gold just to look at it and think, “I am so rich. This gold belongs to me.” This thought alone filled him with joy, even though he never used the gold.
One day, a passerby noticed the miser digging near the tree and spotted the hidden gold. He thought, “There’s gold under that tree! I’ll come back at night to take it.”
When night fell, the passerby returned, dug up the gold, and took all of it with him.
The next morning, the miser came back to admire his treasure, but when he dug up the hole, the gold was gone. In a panic, he cried, “Where is my gold? Who has stolen it?”
Hearing his cries, his neighbors rushed to help. The miser explained how he had buried the gold and now it was missing.
One neighbor asked, “Did you ever use your gold for anything?”
The miser replied, “No, I just looked at it. That was enough to make me happy.”
The neighbor laughed and said, “If you never used your gold, it was as good as useless. Just look into the empty hole and imagine the gold is still there. That way, you can be as happy as you were before.”
The other neighbors laughed too and walked away, leaving the miser with his empty hole.
Moral of the Story:
Wealth has no value unless it is used for good purposes. Money left unused might as well not exist.
The Lazy Donkey
Mamboo was a lazy donkey who always tried to avoid the work his master, the washerman, gave him. He would often find ways to slack off and escape his duties.
One day, Mamboo decided to run away while the washerman was looking for him. He wandered off and found a quiet spot to rest in the farm. But as he lay there, a sudden dust storm blew in. The wind howled, and the dust swirled around him. Scared and uncomfortable, Mamboo quickly decided to head back home. He was also worried that his master might punish him for running away.
When Mamboo returned, the washerman was simply relieved to see him safe and sound. He wasn’t angry at all. This made Mamboo feel guilty for his laziness and irresponsible behavior. He realized how lucky he was that his master cared for him. From that day on, Mamboo decided he would never be lazy again and would always do his work with sincerity.
Moral of the Story:
Always do your work sincerely and responsibly, because hard work brings respect and happiness.
Also Read: Panchatantra Stories for Kids
Final Thought
I hope these above bedtime stories for kids make your child’s nightly routine meaningful and enjoyable.
These stories are a wonderful way to connect with your little one while nurturing their imagination and emotional development.
Additionally, it creates lasting memories and helps them wind down for a peaceful night’s sleep.
So, whenever you tuck your child into bed, always prepare a good story to help them end their day on a positive note.
Lastly, If you find these bedtime fables helpful, please let us know in the comment section 🙂