Outline 1 : A certain king was ugly but honest — people praised him falsely — he disliked flattery — a prisoner spoke the truth — the king rewarded him — made him the Chief Minister.

Truth Triumphs Over Flattery

A certain king was very ugly in appearance but was known to be an honest and just ruler. His courtiers always praised his beauty to win his favour. However, the king disliked such false flattery and felt unhappy because no one had the courage to speak the truth before him.

One day, the king announced that anyone who spoke honestly about his appearance would be rewarded, while those who told lies would be punished. In spite of this warning, many people continued to praise him falsely and were sent to prison.

At last, a prisoner was brought before the king and asked the same question. The prisoner boldly said that the king was not handsome in looks but was great and noble by heart. The king was pleased with his honesty and courage. He set the prisoner free and made him his Chief Minister. From that day onwards, the king respected truth more than empty praise.

Moral: Truth is always rewarded, while flattery brings no respect.

Outline 2 : A poor woodcutter — lived near a forest — axe fell into river — cried helplessly — an angel appeared — showed golden and silver axes — woodcutter refused — spoke the truth — rewarded with all three axes.

Honesty Is the Best Policy

A poor woodcutter lived near a forest and earned his living by cutting wood. One day, while cutting a tree near a river, his axe slipped from his hand and fell into the deep water. He became very sad because the axe was his only means of livelihood.

Seeing his sorrow, an angel appeared before him and asked the reason for his sadness. The woodcutter told the truth. The angel went into the river and came back with a golden axe, but the woodcutter said it was not his. She then brought a silver axe, but he again refused it.

Finally, the angel brought an iron axe. The woodcutter gladly accepted it. The angel was pleased with his honesty and rewarded him with all three axes. The woodcutter returned home happily.

Moral: Honesty is the best policy.

Outline 3 : A poor woodcutter — lived near a forest — axe fell into river — cried in sorrow — angel appeared — showed golden and silver axes — refused them — accepted iron axe — rewarded for honesty.

Honesty Is the Best Policy

A poor woodcutter lived near a forest and earned his living by cutting wood. One day, while cutting a tree near a river, his axe slipped from his hand and fell into the deep water. He became very sad because the axe was his only means of livelihood, and without it he could not support his family.

Seeing his sorrow, an angel appeared before him and asked the reason for his sadness. The woodcutter told her the truth. The angel went into the river and brought out a golden axe, but the woodcutter said it was not his. She then brought a silver axe, but he again refused it honestly.

At last, the angel brought an iron axe. The woodcutter happily accepted it. The angel was pleased with his honesty and rewarded him with all three axes. The woodcutter returned home happily and thanked God for the reward.

Moral: Honesty is the best policy.

Outline 4 : A shepherd boy — grazed sheep near village — cried “Wolf” for fun — villagers helped — no wolf — repeated lies — villagers stopped trusting — real wolf came — sheep killed — lesson learnt.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

A shepherd boy used to graze his sheep near a village. One day, out of mischief, he cried loudly, “Wolf! Wolf!” Hearing his cries, the villagers rushed to help him. When they reached the spot, they found no wolf. The boy laughed at them and enjoyed their fear.

The boy repeated this foolish act several times. Gradually, the villagers became angry and stopped believing him. They warned him not to tell lies, but he paid no attention to their advice.

One day, a real wolf came and attacked the flock. The frightened boy cried loudly for help, but no one came this time. The wolf killed many sheep and ran away. The boy realized his mistake and felt deeply ashamed of his dishonest behaviour.

Moral: Nobody believes a liar even when he speaks the truth.

Outline 5 : A greedy dog — stole a piece of meat — crossed a river — saw reflection — thought it another dog — barked to snatch meat — dropped his own — lost everything.

Greed Leads to Loss

Once a greedy dog stole a piece of meat from a butcher’s shop and ran away. While crossing a river on a narrow bridge, he looked down and saw his own reflection in the water. He thought it was another dog carrying a bigger piece of meat.

Out of greed, the dog decided to snatch the other piece as well. He barked loudly at the reflection. As soon as he opened his mouth, his own piece of meat fell into the river and was lost forever.

The dog searched for the meat but could not find it. He stood helplessly on the bank and realized that his greed had caused his loss. Hungry and ashamed, he walked away slowly.

Moral: Greed leads to loss.

Outline 6 : A thirsty crow — hot summer day — searched for water — found a pot — water very low — tried many ways — failed — used intelligence — dropped stones — water rose — drank water — saved his life.

Where There Is a Will, There Is a Way

It was a very hot summer day, and a crow was extremely thirsty. He flew from one place to another in search of water, but all the ponds and streams had dried up due to the heat. The crow felt weak and tired and thought he would die if he did not find water soon.

After a long search, he saw a pot near a garden. The crow flew down eagerly and looked inside it. He was happy to see some water at the bottom, but the water level was too low to reach with his beak. He tried to push the pot and stretch his neck, but all his efforts failed.

The crow did not lose hope and began to think wisely. Soon, he noticed some small stones lying nearby. He picked them up one by one and dropped them into the pot. Slowly, the water level rose. When the water came near the mouth of the pot, the crow drank it happily and flew away refreshed.

Moral:
Where there is a will, there is a way.

Outline 7 : A lion sleeping — mouse disturbed him — lion caught mouse — mouse begged — lion released — later lion trapped in net — roared for help — mouse came — cut the net — lion freed — friendship proved.

Kindness Is Never Wasted

Once a lion was sleeping peacefully in a forest after a heavy meal. Suddenly, a small mouse ran over his body and woke him up. The angry lion caught the mouse under his paw and was about to kill it. The frightened mouse begged for mercy and promised to help the lion someday.

The lion laughed at the idea that such a small creature could help him, but he felt kind and let the mouse go. The mouse thanked the lion and ran away quickly. The lion soon forgot about the incident.

A few days later, the lion was caught in a hunter’s strong net. He tried hard to escape and roared loudly for help, but all his efforts failed. Hearing the roar, the mouse came there. Remembering the lion’s kindness, it began to cut the ropes of the net with its sharp teeth. Soon, the lion was free and thanked the mouse warmly.

Moral: Kindness is never wasted.

Outline 8 : A farmer — worked hard in fields — had lazy sons — fell ill — wanted to teach lesson — told them about hidden treasure — sons dug fields — found no gold — crops grew well — realised value of hard work.

Hard Work Is the Key to Success

A farmer lived in a village with his sons. He was very hardworking, but his sons were lazy and avoided work. They wasted their time in idle activities and did not help their father in the fields. The farmer was worried about their future.

One day, the farmer fell seriously ill and felt that his end was near. He called his sons and told them that there was a hidden treasure buried somewhere in their field. After saying this, he died. The sons were excited to hear about the treasure.

They began digging the entire field in search of gold. They dug day and night but found no treasure. However, after some days, crops grew very well in the loosened soil. The sons sold the crops and earned a good amount of money. They then realized that their father wanted to teach them the value of hard work.

Moral: Hard work is the key to success.

Outline 9 : A proud hare — mocked slow tortoise — race decided — hare ran fast — stopped to rest — fell asleep — tortoise moved slowly — reached finish line — won race — hare ashamed.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Once there lived a hare who was very proud of his speed. He often made fun of a slow-moving tortoise and laughed at him. Tired of the hare’s insults, the tortoise challenged him to a race. The hare agreed, thinking it would be an easy victory.

The race began, and the hare ran very fast and soon left the tortoise far behind. Feeling confident, the hare stopped under a tree to rest and soon fell asleep. Meanwhile, the tortoise continued walking slowly but steadily without stopping.

After a long time, the hare woke up and ran towards the finish line. To his surprise, he saw the tortoise crossing the finishing line and winning the race. The hare felt ashamed of his pride and learned an important lesson.

Moral: Slow and steady wins the race.

Outline 10 : A proud king — loved praise — disliked truth — announced reward for honesty — people flattered — punished — a poor man spoke truth — king pleased — rewarded him — learnt value of truth.

Flattery Leads to Fall

Once there lived a proud king who loved to hear praise about himself. His courtiers always flattered him to gain favour. However, the king secretly wished to know who would dare to speak the truth before him.

One day, the king announced that anyone who spoke honestly about him would be rewarded, while liars would be punished. Many people still praised him falsely, fearing his anger. The king saw through their lies and punished them.

At last, a poor man came forward and spoke honestly, pointing out both the king’s good and bad qualities. The king was pleased with his courage and truthfulness. He rewarded the man generously and learned that truth is more valuable than flattery.

Moral: Truth always triumphs over false praise.

Outline 11 : A dishonest milkmaid — carried milk pot — dreamt of riches — planned future — jumped in joy — pot fell — milk spilt — dreams shattered — lesson learnt.

Do Not Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch

A milkmaid was carrying a pot of milk on her head to the market. As she walked, she began dreaming about selling the milk and making a lot of money. She planned to buy hens with the money and then sell eggs to become rich.

Lost in her thoughts, she imagined herself becoming wealthy and proud. She jumped with joy, thinking of her future success. Suddenly, the pot slipped from her head and fell to the ground. The milk was spilt everywhere.

The milkmaid stood still and realized that her dreams had vanished in a moment. She understood that one should not make plans without working for them. She returned home feeling ashamed but wiser.

Moral: Do not count your chickens before they hatch.

Outline 12 : Two friends — travelled together — bear appeared — one climbed tree — other lay still — bear smelled him — went away — friend came down — asked what bear said — lesson on true friendship.

A Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed

Two friends were travelling through a forest. They promised to help each other in times of danger. Suddenly, a bear appeared on the path. One friend quickly climbed a tree, forgetting his promise.

The other friend did not know how to climb a tree. Remembering that bears do not attack dead bodies, he lay flat on the ground and held his breath. The bear came near him, smelled his ears, and went away.

After the bear left, the first friend came down and jokingly asked what the bear had whispered in his ear. The second friend replied that the bear advised him never to trust a selfish friend. The first friend felt ashamed.

Moral: A friend in need is a friend indeed.