You will find here 20 short stories with moral lessons. These stories could be used for self developments and for the moral developments of others. According to the Wikipedia, short stories means is a piece of prose fiction. A moral is a lesson to be learned from a story or event. Apart from these 20 short stories with moral, there are other sets of short stories with moral that you can read them all.
This article presents a collection of 20 short stories with valuable moral lessons. Each story is carefully crafted to offer readers a glimpse into timeless values like honesty, kindness, perseverance, and unity.
These narratives are perfect for both children and adults, serving as engaging and educational reads that highlight the importance of virtues in everyday life. From the classic tales of “The Honest Woodcutter” to “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” these stories not only entertain but also impart wisdom and inspire reflection.
Ideal for parents, teachers, or anyone seeking meaningful tales that teach life lessons, the stories cover a range of situations, each leaving a memorable takeaway.
Whether you’re sharing them with young listeners or reflecting on the morals yourself, these stories will stay with you, emphasizing that virtues such as humility, courage, and integrity are universal and relevant to all ages. Discover the power of storytelling to convey ethical values in a way that’s accessible and enjoyable.
1. The Honest Woodcutter
The honest woodcutter is one of the short stories with moral.
Once, a poor woodcutter was cutting wood near a river. His axe slipped from his hands and fell into the river. He sat down, sad and worried, for he had no money to buy another axe. Suddenly, a spirit appeared and asked him why he was upset. The woodcutter explained, and the spirit offered to help. She dived into the river and returned with a golden axe, asking if it was his. The woodcutter said no. The spirit then brought up a silver axe, but again the woodcutter said it wasn’t his. Finally, she brought his old iron axe, and he gratefully accepted it as his own. Impressed by his honesty, the spirit gifted him all three axes.
The moral of the short story is that honesty is always rewarded.
Next short story with moral: The Tale of Two Farmers Moral Story
2. The Boy Who Cried Wolf
The boy who cried wolf is one of the short stories with moral.
A shepherd boy watched over his sheep near a village. For fun, he would cry out, “Wolf! Wolf!” and watch the villagers rush to help. When they saw no wolf, they returned angrily. The boy found it amusing and repeated it several times. But one day, a real wolf came, and when he cried for help, no one believed him. The wolf attacked, and he lost his sheep.
The moral of the short story is that liars are not believed, even when they speak the truth.
Next short story with moral: The Wise Farmer’s Choice – Moral Story
3. The Lion and the Mouse
The lion and the mouse is one of the short stories with moral.
A lion was sleeping when a mouse ran across his face, waking him. Angrily, the lion caught the mouse and was about to kill it. The mouse pleaded for mercy, promising to help the lion someday. The lion laughed but let it go. Days later, hunters captured the lion and tied him with ropes. The mouse heard the lion’s roars and gnawed through the ropes, setting the lion free.
The moral of the short story is that kindness, no matter how small, is never wasted.
Next short story with moral: The True Treasure – Moral Story
4. The Tortoise and the Hare
The tortoise and the hare is one of the short stories with moral.
A proud hare mocked a slow tortoise and challenged him to a race. The hare sped ahead and, confident of winning, took a nap midway. Meanwhile, the tortoise kept moving steadily. When the hare awoke, he found the tortoise had already crossed the finish line.
The moral of the short story is that slow and steady wins the race.
Next short story with moral: The Healer’s Touch – Moral Story
5. The Ant and the Grasshopper
The ant and the grasshopper is one of the short stories with moral.
An ant worked hard all summer, gathering food, while a grasshopper played and sang. When winter came, the ant had plenty of food, but the grasshopper was hungry and begged for food. The ant reminded him of his laziness, and he learned a hard lesson.
The moral of the short story is that prepare today for tomorrow’s needs.
Next short story with moral: Moral Story: The Wise Carpenter
6. The Farmer and the Golden Eggs
The farmer and the golden eggs is one of the short stories with moral.
A farmer owned a goose that laid one golden egg every day. He was soon rich, but greedy for more, he decided to kill the goose to get all the gold at once. Inside, he found nothing, and he lost the steady income from the golden eggs.
The moral of the short story is that greed leads to loss.
Next short story with moral: The Rich Merchant and the Treasure – Moral Story
7. The Elephant and the Friends
The elephant and the friends is one of the short stories with moral.
An elephant wandered in search of friends. He met many animals, but they rejected him for being too big. One day, the jungle was threatened by a dangerous predator, and only the elephant had the strength to scare it away, saving the smaller animals.
The moral of the short story is that a friend in need is a friend indeed.
Next short story with moral: The Servant Leader Moral Story
8. The Fox and the Grapes
The fox and the grapes is one of the short stories with moral.
A hungry fox saw ripe grapes hanging high on a vine. He tried and tried to jump and reach them, but failed. Frustrated, he walked away saying, “Those grapes are probably sour anyway.”
The moral of the short story is that it’s easy to despise what you cannot have.
Next short story with moral: The Wise Elder and the Two Brothers – Moral Story For Life
9. The Bundle of Sticks
The bundle of sticks is one of the short stories with moral.
An old man, nearing death, gathered his sons and gave each a stick to break—they did so easily. He then gave them a bundle of sticks, which they couldn’t break. He explained that if they stayed united like the bundle, they’d be strong.
The moral of the short story is that unity is strength.
Next short story with moral: Why Do Rabbits Have Long Ears? The Real Story
10. The Wise Old Owl
The wise old owl is one of the short stories with moral.
A wise old owl sat in a tree, observing the world. He rarely spoke but listened to everything. Over time, the other animals came to him for advice, as they respected his wisdom gained from silence and observation.
The moral of the short story is that speak less, listen more.
Next short story with moral: The Heart of a Shepherd
11. The Thirsty Crow
The thirst crow is one of the short stories with moral.
A thirsty crow found a pitcher with very little water at the bottom. He couldn’t reach it with his beak, so he collected small stones and dropped them in. Slowly, the water level rose, and he was able to drink.
The moral of the short story is that necessity is the mother of invention.
Next short story with moral:
12. The Two Travelers and the Bear
The two travelers and the bear is one of the short stories with moral.
Two friends were walking in the forest when they saw a bear. One quickly climbed a tree, leaving the other behind. The second friend, unable to climb, lay on the ground and held his breath. The bear sniffed him and, thinking he was dead, left. The friend in the tree asked what the bear whispered to him. “He told me,” said the man, “not to trust a friend who deserts you in danger.”
The moral of the short story is that a true friend is known in the hour of need.
Next short story with moral:
13. The Dog in the Manger
The dog and the manger is one of the short stories with moral.
A dog lay in a manger, full of hay, growling at cows who came to eat. Though he couldn’t eat the hay himself, he wouldn’t let the cows eat either.
The moral of the short story is that don’t begrudge others what you don’t need.
14. The Greedy Dog
The greedy dog is one of the short stories with moral.
A dog with a bone in his mouth looked into a river and saw his reflection. Thinking it was another dog with a bigger bone, he barked, dropping his own bone into the water.
The moral of the short story is that greed can cost you everything.
15. The Crow and the Pitcher
The crow and the pitcher is one of the short stories with moral.
A thirsty crow, unable to reach water at the bottom of a pitcher, began dropping pebbles into it. As the water level rose, he was able to drink.
The moral of the short story is that perseverance pays off.
16. The Farmer’s Donkey
The farmer’s donkey is one of the short stories with moral.
A farmer’s donkey fell into a deep pit. The farmer decided it wasn’t worth saving and started shoveling dirt to bury it. The donkey shook off each load of dirt and stepped up. Soon, he had climbed out.
The moral of the short story is that use adversity as a stepping stone.
17. The King’s Painting
The king’s painting is one of the short stories with moral.
A king asked artists to paint “peace.” Many painted beautiful landscapes, but one painted a stormy scene with a calm bird nesting amidst chaos. The king chose it, understanding that peace is not about perfect conditions but tranquility in challenges.
The moral of the short story is that peace is not the absence of trouble, but calm amidst the storm.
18. The Clever Merchant
The clever merchant is one of the short stories with moral.
A dishonest man tricked a merchant into a deal, leaving the merchant with no profit. The merchant challenged the man to resolve the issue fairly. He cleverly set conditions that exposed the cheater’s lies, restoring fairness.
The moral of the short story is that wisdom can overcome dishonesty.
19. The Butterfly’s Struggle
The butterfly’s struggle is one of the short stories with moral.
A man saw a butterfly struggling to come out of its cocoon and decided to help. But the butterfly was weak, unable to fly, because the struggle was necessary to strengthen its wings.
The moral of the short story is that struggles in life build strength.
20. The Bell and the Cat
The bell and the cat is one of the short stories with moral.
Mice decided to bell a cat to avoid danger. When the question arose of who would bell the cat, all remained silent. The idea was good, but no one was willing to act.
The moral of the short story is that it’s easier to propose solutions than to implement them.
Conclusion
These 20 short stories with moral lessons serve as gentle reminders of the values that guide us in everyday life. Each tale emphasizes that virtues like honesty, patience, and kindness are more than just concepts—they are foundations for a meaningful existence. Storytelling remains a powerful way to pass on wisdom across generations, making these narratives timeless. As you reflect on these stories, remember that the lessons they convey are meant to inspire positive change. Embrace the morals within, and let them influence your daily actions and decisions.
