The Best Lie in Vijayanagara
The king holds a contest for the best lie, with a prize of a thousand gold coins.
Indian folk tales and stories from India
These stories draw on Indian folklore, fables, and writing set in India, with clever animals, brave choices, and memorable adventures. Read Savitri, explore the Jataka Tales, or follow Mowgli’s Brothers; every story is free to read or listen to on Pagehush, with a natural voice reading aloud.
The Thief and the Magic Sticks
A rich merchant has been robbed, and every one of his servants swears they are innocent.
The Line That Got Shorter
Akbar draws a line on the floor and challenges his courtiers to make it shorter without touching it.
The Tales of Sheikh Chilli
Sheikh Chilli means well, works hard and dreams big, and somehow everything still goes wrong.
The Price of a Horse
A rich man’s will says the money from selling his horse must go to a poor family.
Tenali Chooses How to Die
Tenali Raman finally goes too far, and the furious king sentences him to death.
The Talkative Tortoise and Other Indian Fables
Two old Indian fables of clever animals and foolish ones: a tortoise who cannot keep his mouth shut, and a tiger, a Brahman and a very clever jackal.
Washing the Black Dog
The royal barber pleases the king so much that he asks to be made a minister.
The Best Weapon
Birbal tells the Emperor that the best weapon in the world is whatever happens to be at hand.
The Three Deaf Men
A deaf husband, a deaf wife and a deaf passer-by try to settle a quarrel about cabbage, and nobody hears a word.
Valiant Vicky, the Brave Weaver
A timid little weaver kills a mosquito, gets a reputation as a great warrior, and has to fight a tiger and an army.
कृष्ण और प्रह्लाद की कथाएँ
बालकृष्ण की सात कथाएँ, तूफ़ान में टोकरी में गोकुल पहुँचाए गए शिशु से लेकर गोवर्धन उठाने वाले तक, और भक्त प्रह्लाद की कहानी, जिसे उसका पिता भी नहीं डिगा सका।
Birbal Counts the Crows
Emperor Akbar asks Birbal a question that no one could possibly answer: exactly how many crows live in the city of Agra?
Birbal’s Journey to Heaven
The royal barber, who hates Birbal, persuades the Emperor to send him on a journey to heaven to visit Akbar’s ancestors, by way of a funeral fire.
Can I read Indian folk tales online for free?
Yes. Every story on Pagehush is free to read, with no ads, and you can read on your phone.
Can I listen to these stories aloud?
Yes. Any story on Pagehush can be read aloud in a natural voice.