5 Short Inspiring Stories for Kids
- myNachiketa
- 14 hours ago
- 5 min read
Stories have the power to teach us how to be kind, brave, honest, and strong inside. In these stories, you will meet heroes and heroines from India’s great epics and sacred stories. They face fear, unfairness, and hard times, but they never give up what is right. Each story in this collection shares a beautiful lesson about courage, truth, friendship, humility, and faith. These are not just stories from long ago, they are lessons we can use every day at home, at school, and with our friends.
myNachiketa presents 5 short inspiring stories for kids: bedtime stories for small children to read and enjoy.
Abhimanyu and the Chakra Vyuha
Abhimanyu was the brave son of Arjuna. Once, while Abhimanyu was still in his mother’s womb, he heard his father Arjuna explain how to enter the powerful battle formation called the Chakra Vyuha. But the lesson stopped before he could learn how to come out.
Years later, in the Great Battle of Kurukshetra, the enemy, who were the Kauravas, formed the Chakra Vyuha. Arjuna was not there, as he was fighting with another warrior far away. None of the other Pandava warriors could break through the Chakra Vyuha. Young Abhimanyu stepped forward and said, “I know how to enter it. Let me go.”
His elders hesitated, but Abhimanyu’s courage was strong. He entered the formation and fought bravely against many warriors. Even when he was surrounded, he did not give up. He protected his army with all his strength.
Though he did not return, Abhimanyu became a symbol of fearless bravery and self-sacrifice.
Moral: True heroes think of others before themselves.
Devi Sita’s Strength in the Forest
Princess Sita lived in a beautiful palace filled with soft beds, golden plates, and lovely gardens. But when her husband Bhagwan Rama was sent to live in the forest for fourteen years, Devi Sita said, “Where you go, I will go.”
She left her comforts behind and walked into the wild forest. She wore simple clothes, slept on grass, and ate fruits and roots. Some days were cold. Some were rainy. But Sita Mata never complained.
She helped everyone she met - animals, sages, and even strangers. Her heart stayed kind, even when life became hard. When the evil demon king Ravana took her away, she did not lose hope. She believed in Bhagwan Rama and in goodness. She had full faith that good wins over evil.
Her patience, courage, and faith kept her strong until she was rescued by Bhagwan Rama.
Moral: Real strength comes from patience, courage, and a pure heart.
The Story of Bhima and Hanuman
During the Pandavas’ exile in the forest, Draupadi once smelled a wonderfully fragrant Saugandhika flower carried by the wind. Enchanted by its beauty and scent, she gently told Bhima, “If you love me, bring me more of these flowers.”
Bhima, proud of his strength and eager to please her, set off toward the Gandhamadana mountain, where the flowers grew. As he strode through the forest, roaring and breaking trees in his confidence, he came upon a strange sight. An old monkey lay across the path, its tail stretched out, blocking the way.
Bhima said boldly,“Move aside, monkey! I am Bhimasena, son of Vayu. Do not block my path.”
The monkey replied calmly, “I am old and weak. Kindly move my tail aside and pass.”
Annoyed, Bhima tried to lift the tail casually with one hand. It would not move. He tried harder. He used both hands. He used all his strength. The tail did not move even an inch. Shocked and humbled, Bhima realized this was no ordinary monkey. He bowed and asked, “Who are you?” The monkey revealed his true form, Hanuman Ji.
Hanumanji gently taught Bhima a lesson: Strength without humility becomes arrogance.
Moral: True strength is not just in power, but in humility. When we respect others and let go of pride, we grow wiser and stronger inside.
Harishchandra and the Power of Truth
King Harishchandra was famous for one thing above all - his love for truth. He believed that telling the truth was more important than power, money, or comfort. One day, he was tested for his honesty by the Gods and sage Vishwamitra. Because Harishchandra would not lie and to fulfil a promise, he lost his kingdom, his riches, and even sold himself into service to the sage Vishwamitra. Still, he never spoke a false word.
Tragedy followed him. His wife and child suffered, and he was forced to work at a cremation ground, burning bodies for a living. Even then, Harishchandra did not give up his truth. When his son died, he asked his own wife for the small fee needed to cremate him. His heart was breaking, but he did not break his promise of honesty. His wife had no money, so she offered a piece of cloth from her saree. When she was about to tear her saree, the gods appeared. They blessed Harishchandra and restored everything he had lost. His son also came back to life. His truthfulness had passed the greatest test.
Moral: Telling the truth takes great courage, but it always leads to light.
Markandeya and the Blessing of Immortality
Long ago, there lived a sage named Mr̥kaṇḍu and his wife Marudvatī. They prayed deeply for a child. Bhagwan Shiva appeared and gave them a choice:
• A son who would be wise and devoted but live only 16 years,or
• A son who would live long but be dull and without spiritual light.
They chose the first.
Soon, a radiant boy was born, Markandeya. From childhood, he was pure, gentle, and devoted to Bhagwan Shiva. He studied the Vedas, served his parents, and spent his days in prayer and meditation. As his sixteenth birthday approached, his parents grew sad. Markandeya asked them why. They told him the truth about the blessing. Markandeya did not fear death. Instead, he went to a Shiva temple and began to worship the Shiva Liṅga with full devotion. He chanted and prayed, completely absorbed in God.
At that moment, Yama, the god of death, arrived to take his soul. He threw his noose at Markandeya, but the boy clung tightly to the Shiva Liṅga. The noose wrapped around both the boy and the sacred form of Shiva. Suddenly, Bhagwan Shiva burst out of the Liṅga in blazing light, furious that death had touched his devotee. Shivaji struck down Yama and protected Markandeya. Then Shivaji blessed the boy: You shall never die without your will.
Markandeya became a Chiranjivi, one of the immortals who walk the earth.
Moral: Sincerity, purity, and devotion give the soul strength beyond fear and death.
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