The Three Fishes
Three fish live in a river: one thinks too much, one thinks too little, and one thinks just enough.
Ellen C. Babbitt was an American writer and reteller of traditional tales, including stories drawn from Asian and Buddhist traditions. Here you can read her stories about clever animals, narrow escapes, and lessons in kindness, such as “The Monkey and the Crocodile” and “The Banyan Deer”; every story is free to read or listen to.
The Banyan Deer
When a king hunts the deer every day, the golden Banyan Deer offers a bargain, and then offers himself.
The Foolish, Timid Rabbit
A nervous rabbit hears a crash and shouts that the earth is falling in, and soon every animal in the forest is running with him.
The Quarrel of the Quails
A flock of quails always escapes the bird-catcher’s net by lifting it together, until two of them start to quarrel.
The Crab and the Crane
A crane promises to carry the fishes of a drying pond to a lovely lake, one at a time, until it is the crab’s turn.
The Girl Monkey and the String of Pearls
A monkey steals the queen’s pearls, a servant is blamed, and a wise man works out how to find the real thief.
The Monkey and the Crocodile
A little crocodile wants a monkey’s heart for his mother, and offers the monkey a ride to the island where the fruit is ripe.
Prince Wicked and the Grateful Animals
A hermit saves a snake, a rat, a parrot and a wicked prince from a flood.
Where can I read Ellen C. Babbitt stories for free?
You can read Ellen C. Babbitt stories free on Pagehush, with no ads. You can also read on your phone.
Can I listen to Ellen C. Babbitt stories?
Yes. Any story on Pagehush can be read aloud in a natural voice.