Best of Animals’ Tales

A grasshopper and an ant decided to be friends for always. This was very difficult, for they were so different; but they said they would be like brothers.They went off together, but differences arose at once. When they reached a stream, the grasshopper hopped across, but the ant fell into the water and was carried […]

A poor family lived in a village. The man gave his son a little bull-calf before he died. His widow later married another man, who was very unkind to the boy and his bull-calf, who was his only friend.The boy always fed him half his bread. Once an old man came to the boy and

Once upon a time, there was a couple who lived very happily in a cottage. They had a lucky gold ring, so they never wanted for anything. They did not, however, know that the ring brought them good fortune.So one day, they sold the ring. After that, they became steadily more poor. One day, they

Once upon a time, a hunter happened to pass by a jungle. He found a serpent among the stones there.“Please set me free,” pleaded the serpent. “Oh, no!” replied the hunter, “I’ll do no such thing, for you are sure to eat me. You snakes are cheats.”“I promise you I won’t,” assured the serpent and

Once upon a time, there was a very just king who ruled in the far-away mountain kingdom of Tibet known for his judgement and wisdom.In the kingdom, there were two good and hard-working men who, however, were very poor. Each had an old mother whom he looked after with great care.One day, one of the

Everyone knew that the rabbit was a trickster. One day he asked the crab to help him plant carrots. The crab was sure the fellow would try some trick, but he agreed.So, they planted the seeds and watered them and tended the beds till the carrots began to grow. The harvest was soon ready. The

The fox had been digging under the net and getting into the hen’s house every day. He came out licking his lips happily when the Hedgehog saw him.“Now what are you up to?” asked the hedgehog. “Having a feast!” replied the fox with a satisfied look, “I’ll be going in again. Do you want to

A rabbit spent his time making a fool of a coyote and everyone in the forest enjoyed his pranks.One day, the coyote heard the sounds of someone struggling: “Ooh! Aah! Urrgh!” He looked around and saw the rabbit heaving at a huge boulder all by himself.“What are you doing?” asked the coyote.“I’m holding up the

A lion was being chased in the forest by a pack of wild dogs. He ran and he ran, till he was exhausted, but the dogs simply kept following him.The lion came upon a man sitting under a tree and begged him to hide him. “Those wild dogs will kill me. Please hide me somewhere,”

The lion had decided to go into the battle against the insects. So, he called all his troops.“We must plan this carefully,” said the lion, “I will lead the attack, but you all must know the battle plan.” The kudu, the jackal and the oryx came for his advice, while others like the elephant waited

A soft grey teddy bear, with a honey-gold face, ears and feet, sat on a shelf in a toy shop. He wore a brown coat and a golden silk bow. A label at his neck showed that his name was Wolstencroft. He was a very friendly bear with a lovely smile.On the shelf with him

A Billy goat had strayed away from his village towards the forest. He was grazing contentedly when he heard some movement. Looking up he saw a large bear peering through the trees at him.The goat was frightened. But he realised that the bear would attack and kill him in a flash if he showed any