Jataka tales for children

Illustrated Buddhist Jataka retellings in English and Hindi, with a question to discuss together.

31 free stories · Ten pages each

Jataka · 8 min · Ages 4+
The Hare and the Great Thump
One startling sound grows into a forest-sized rumour—until someone stops to look.
Jataka · 9 min · Ages 4+
The Elephant and the Dog
An elephant’s smallest friend leaves a very large space when he goes away.
Jataka · 9 min · Ages 6+
The Banyan Deer
A golden deer asks a king to make his promise of safety a little bigger.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Sandy Road
A lost desert caravan finds water by noticing one small green clue.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Merchant of Seri
Two merchants make very different offers for an old family bowl.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Ox Who Won the Forfeit
A strong ox reminds his owner that strength deserves respect.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Quarrel of the Quails
A flock learns why their escape plan needs everyone’s cooperation.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Measure of Rice
A surprising question exposes an unfair price in the royal market.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
Grannie's Blackie
A young elephant earns a fair reward to help the woman who raised him.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
Why the Owl Is Not King of the Birds
A woodland gathering asks what makes a leader worth following.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Wise and the Foolish Merchant
A wise traveler checks a stranger’s promises before changing his plans.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Elephant Girly-Face
An elephant discovers that the words around him can shape his choices.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Princes and the Water-Sprite
Three brothers discover that a good heart matters more than a grand answer.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The King's White Elephant
A helpful elephant carries friendship from a riverside workshop to the palace.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Stupid Monkeys
Eager helpers learn to ask questions before trying an unfamiliar job.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Girl Monkey and the String of Pearls
A palace mystery is solved by observation rather than hasty blame.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Three Fishes
A careful fish helps two friends escape a net and return to safer water.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Penny-Wise Monkey
A monkey drops a whole handful while chasing one small loss.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Red-Bud Tree
Four brothers see different seasons and learn that each has only part of the picture.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Otters and the Wolf
Two friends let a quarrel give a crafty visitor the biggest share.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
How the Monkey Saved His Troop
A caring leader finds a way across the branches to protect his troop.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Hawks and Their Friends
A hawk family discovers how different friends can help during one difficult night.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Brave Little Bowman
A skilled little archer proves that ability cannot be measured by height.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Stolen Plow
An unlikely excuse meets an equally unlikely question before a wise judge.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
Beauty and Brownie
Two young deer leaders learn that a safe route matters more than a fast one.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Wise Goat and the Wolf
A cautious goat checks a tempting invitation and keeps herself safe.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Lion in Bad Company
A young lion learns to judge a friend’s advice by its consequences.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Cunning Wolf
A wolf checks an odd sight before leading his friends toward danger.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
The Tricky Wolf and the Rats
A rat chief notices a changing group and uncovers a visitor’s false story.
Indian Jataka tale · 3 min · Ages 6+
Prince Wicked and the Grateful Animals
A kind rescuer discovers who remembers help through actions rather than grand words.
Indian Jataka tale collected in Indian Fairy Tales · 3 min · Ages 6+
A Lesson for Kings
Two chariots meet where only one can pass, revealing a different kind of strength.

Reading these stories together

This collection contains retellings from the Buddhist Jataka tradition. Each edition identifies its source; it is a story adaptation rather than a religious instruction course.

Read the parent note where one is provided. Talk about the choices made by the hare, the elephant or the deer, while keeping the tale’s source tradition in view.

A question to start a conversation

Who stopped to understand someone else?

Before you read

Are these stories free to read?

Yes. Every ten-page book is free in English and Hindi, without an account. Custom family films are a separate paid service.

How do I choose a story for my child?

Read the description and any parent note first. Age labels, where provided, are suggestions. Preview the story and choose according to your child’s interests and comfort.

Does every book have animation or narration?

The ten-page books have no audio narration. The original 18 books have animated illustrations in the page-turning reader; the additional 100 have still illustrations. Selected separate videos are available on YouTube.

Jataka tales for children

The Hare and the Great Thump

The Elephant and the Dog

The Banyan Deer

The Sandy Road

The Merchant of Seri

The Ox Who Won the Forfeit

The Quarrel of the Quails

The Measure of Rice

Grannie's Blackie

Why the Owl Is Not King of the Birds

The Wise and the Foolish Merchant

The Elephant Girly-Face

The Princes and the Water-Sprite

The King's White Elephant

The Stupid Monkeys

The Girl Monkey and the String of Pearls

The Three Fishes

The Penny-Wise Monkey

The Red-Bud Tree

The Otters and the Wolf

How the Monkey Saved His Troop

The Hawks and Their Friends

The Brave Little Bowman

The Stolen Plow

Beauty and Brownie

The Wise Goat and the Wolf

The Lion in Bad Company

The Cunning Wolf

The Tricky Wolf and the Rats

Prince Wicked and the Grateful Animals

A Lesson for Kings

Reading these stories together

A question to start a conversation

Before you read