The English versions of Panchatantra tales have been used as a source of wisdom, amusement and fantasy since centuries among children and adults.
The talking animals, the tricks, the great moral lessons in them are all the items that were composed in these short stories to educate about life values and to do it in the most entertaining manner possible.
This blog contains 20+ short stories of Panchatantra in English with moral--these are ideal and can be read during bed time, classroom or just listen to the tales that gave life to generations.
What Are Panchatantra Stories?
Panchatantra is among the oldest collections of fables in the world migrating to Sanskrit initially by Vishnu Sharma.
These tales were invented to educate young princes on wisdom and practical aspects of life.
Panchatantra means Five Principles, and the stories are organized into five parts, each devoted to an important life and relations principle:
- Mitrabheda – Loss of Friends
- Mitralabha – Gaining Friends
- Kakolukiyam – War and Peace
- Labdhapranasam – Loss of Gains
- Apariksitakarakam – Rash Actions
Top 20 Short Panchatantra Stories in English with Moral
1. The Monkey and the Crocodile
When the world was young a witty monkey dwelt upon a mango tree on the river. He gave his friend, who happened to be a crocodile, sweet mangoes.
The wife of the crocodile was greedy and on a day, she was interested in consuming the heart of the monkey.
The crocodile befriended the monkey and he invited him home and planned to kill him.
But the intelligent monkey had left his heart on the tree. As they went back to the riverbank, he jumped on the tree, and fled.
Moral: ingeniousness will make you come out of a tight spot.
2. The Lion and the Clever Rabbit
One used to live in a jungle where it was a fierce lion that hunted animals on a daily basis.
The animals were terrified and engaged one animal per day to please him. When the witty rabbit came, he had his time to get to the lion, and deceived him about peeking into a well.
The lion caught sight of himself, and, believing it to be some other lion, leaped and bellowed in, never to be seen again.
Moral: Brute strength is no match to intelligence.
3. The Tortoise and the Geese
One of these fierce lions used to stay in a jungle and hunt animals on a daily basis. The animals were in a state of terror, and every day presented to him one of their animals.
It was the turn of an intelligent rabbit, who came slowly up to the lion, and deceived him into taking a peep down a well.
The lion looked in the glass, and, believing it to be another lion, leaped in and never came back.
Moral: Brute strength is no match to intelligence.
4. The Crow and the Snake
One of the crows had made his nest in a tree beneath which a snake was. Whenever the crow deposited the eggs, they were consumed by the snake.
One day the crow had a bright idea proposed by his wife. The crow had thrown a golden necklace off the home of a wealthy lady close to the hole of the snake.
Christian, when the guards arrived to get it, killed the snake.
Moral: It is wit and time that can conquer the most formidable foe.
5. The Blue Jackal
A jackal once came into a pot of blue dye as a result of running away during a night on the part of dogs.
On coming back to forest, all animals were horrified with his new color. They believed that he was brought by the gods and also appointed him king.
The jackal was happy with his power until the day when he howled with joy one night and thus showed what he was. The enraged animals drove him away.
Moral: Being someone you are not will never get your real respect.
6. The Stork and the Crab
A stork was close to a drying up pond. He deceived him into thinking he was smart and was going to be offered to a bigger pond with the fish, but he took them one at a time and ate them.
At the time that it was the crab that came up there the smart crab saw the truth of it, and he had the stork by the neck, and strangled him.
Moral: Corruption and corruption are bound to ruin.
7. The Four Friends and the Hunter
A deer, a crow, a mouse and a tortoise were the best friends. On a particular day, the deer was snared by a hunter.
The ropes were soon chewed by the mouse, the crow took the mind of the hunter, and the tortoise made him go slowly. They rescued their friend together.
Moral: There is no problem that cannot be surpassed by unity and teamwork.
8. The Elephants and the Mice
A herd of elephants one day trampled up a herd of mice. The mice implored them to cease and assured them to assist them sometime in future.
This was later on when the mice arrived and chewed the ropes and the elephants were set free when they were stuck in a net laid by a hunter.
Moral: It can be the tiny ones that will assist the strongest.
9. The Fox and the Grapes
One of the fat grapes hung high, and was seen by a hungry fox. He made and made another attempt to get in touch with them to no avail.
Then, weary and humiliated, he left with the words, those grapes are likely sour at any rate.
Moral: It seems so simple to fault situations when we fail but making an effort to rise is the real power.
10. The Loyal Mongoose
A farmer had a pet mongoose. On a given day, the farmer and his wife went somewhere thus leaving their home to a snake who got into their house.
The brave mongoose killed the snake to save the baby. When the mother returned and saw blood on the mongoose, she assumed it had hurt her child and killed it in anger — only to find her baby safe.
11. The Talking Cave
One of the lions discovered a cave in which a jackal was to be found. He chose to conceal himself and feed on the jackal as it came back.
Not perceiving any answer, the cunning jackal, on his part, shouted, Why are you quiet to-day, my friend? The lion remained silent, betraying his existence. The jackal ran away safely.
Moral: Attentiveness and being awake may win you over.
12. The Brahmin and the Tiger
Another Brahmin was kind and saved a tiger in a cage. But when released the tiger desired to devour him. The Brahmin was demanding justice and requesting beings around them.
All were on the side of the tiger - until one of the cunning jackals feigned to be ignorant of what was going on and begged the tiger to perform.
As the tiger returned in the cage, the jackal promptly shut the cage.
Moral: Wit and smartness will get you out of trouble.
13. The Cat’s Judgement
Two monkeys discovered a piece of bread and started to fight over it. A cat was presented to share it equally.
But every time it cut the bread, it said that one side was larger, and ate a little more to put the situation right.
At last, the cat consumed all the bread leaving none to the monkeys.
Moral: Do not allow a stranger to resolve your quarrels; he may exploit it.
14. The Musical Donkey
The donkey of a washerman had clothes packed upon it by day, and wandering at night. One night it encountered a jackal, and they went about attacking fields together.
The donkey would have sung with rejoicing. The jackal had told him to keep quiet but he did not heed. His braying woke up the farmers who saw and whipped him.
Moral: Everything has its time and place - it is prudent to know when to remain silent.
15. The Trader and His Donkey
One of the traders employed his donkey to transport salt. One day the donkey fell into a river and the salt was in solution so the load was hindered.
The donkey had done this trick every day. Instead, the trader was able to discern and load sponges one day.
Each time the donkey dropped, the sponges trapped water and consequently increased the weight.
Moral: Comfort by cheating others will come to bite you back.
16. The Three Fish
A pond had three fish in it; one wise, one clever, and one lazy. As soon as fishermen arrived, the wise fish fled away, the cunning one hid himself in imitation of deceasedness, and the lazy fish fell into their hands.
Moral: never hesitate to do the right thing, think over.
17. The King and the Parrots
One king reared two baby parrots, one up by saints, the other by robbers. One was very nice when he was grown, the other swore bad words.
The king knew the importance of being an environment.
Moral: The environment shapes our personality.
18. The Mouse Maid
One of the saints changed a mouse into a girl. He would marry her off when she was big since he wanted her to be with the mightiest creature.
She found the Sun, Cloud, Wind and Mountain, stronger than the others but the mountain told her that the mice were stronger than the others because they could tunnel through mountains. The girl selected a mouse as her husband.
Moral: Nature never alters — embrace who you are.
19. The Foolish Lion and the Clever Rabbit
A savage lion was a slayer of several animals each day. In its turn, a rabbit fooled the lion by demonstrating his image in a well.
The lion bawed his wrath and leaped in his death.
Moral: Intelligence and patience are able to overcome even the most powerful opponent.
20. The Peacock and the Crow
The crow envied the peacock’s colorful feathers. He asked to trade places, but when he tried living like a peacock, he realized he couldn’t fly freely anymore.
He was glad to be himself back home.
Moral: You should pride yourself in your individuality, everybody is beautiful in her or her own way.
Why Panchatantra Stories Are Important for Kids
- Moral Education: Instils integrity, cooperation and benevolence.
- Cultural Association: Makes children relate to the Indian nature of storytelling.
- Enhances English: Excellent in the case of reading and vocabulary.
- Just in Time to Bed: Short, simple, and life lessons.
Best Panchatantra Story Books in English
If you prefer offline reading, here are some excellent Panchatantra story books in English available online:
- Panchatantra – The Illustrated Classic (Amar Chitra Katha)
- The Complete Panchatantra (Penguin India)
- Panchatantra Stories for Children (Maple Press)
All of these include short stories with morals and beautiful pictures, perfect for home libraries or gifts.
Panchatantra Stories for Adults
These tales aren’t just for kids! Adults can also enjoy Panchatantra stories in English for adults because they teach timeless lessons on:
- Leadership & strategy
- Emotional intelligence
- The power of wisdom over might
Every story is a reminder that intelligence and kindness always triumph over greed and pride.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. The moral of Panchatantra stories?
Both stories are lessons of the key life values including honesty, friendship, unity, and smartness.
2. Authorship of the Panchatantra stories?
Pandit Vishnu Sharma wrote them in ancient India.
3. In how many Panchatantra-stories do we find them?
It has more than 80+ stories separated into five major sections or Tantras.
4. Do Panchatantra stories belong in the school students?
Yes! They are popular among the schools as means of English reading comprehension and moral lessons.
5. Are these only children stories?
No, they can also teach adults good practical wisdom and problem-solving.
Final Thoughts
English versions of the panchatantra stories are far more than that about moral tales, but they are all about lessons in life and disguised under fun and fantasy.
These stories always have an inspiring effect, either when you are a parent telling your child or when you are an adult in touch with your roots.
Tell these stories to your children to-night and preserve the age-old wisdom of India!
