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Collection

Parables of Wisdom

Short tales with long shadows: fables and modern stories that carry Jain values, for every age.

121 stories, each with a gentle children's telling and the full story.

Damanakदमनक · દમનકA boy no one could harm, and a letter that changed by one small mark5 min · children's telling Dharmakumarधर्मकुमार · ધર્મકુમારThe famine that never came, and the baby who stopped it4 min · children's telling King Hansaराजा हंस · રાજા હંસA king alone in the forest, and the questions he would not answer5 min · children's telling Kesari the Thiefकेसरी चोर · કેસરી ચોરA flying thief who tried to steal one last diamond5 min · children's telling Surasen and Mahasenसूरसेन और महासेन · સૂરસેન અને મહાસેનTwo loving brothers, a strange illness, and a wish made long ago5 min · children's telling Kamalsenकमलसेन · કમળસેનA joking boy, a very strange vow, and a bald head in the forest5 min · children's telling The Monkey and Sugariबंदर और सुघरी · વાંદરો અને સુગરીA clever little bird, a cold wet monkey, and advice nobody asked for4 min · children's telling Vipul and Vijanविपुल और विजन · વિપુલ અને વિજનTwo friends hear their futures, and the future listens to how they live5 min · children's telling Elephant and the Blind Menहाथी और छह अंधे · હાથી અને છ અંધSix true answers, and not one of them whole4 min · children's telling · free Story of Yashodharaयशोधर की कथा · યશોધરની કથાA rooster made of flour, and the long road it led to5 min · children's telling The Price of Gamblingजुए की कीमत · જુગારની કિંમતA hundred rupees that came too easily, and a savings jar that went empty4 min · children's telling The Honest Shopkeeperईमानदार दुकानदार · પ્રામાણિક દુકાનદારAn old brass scale that never told a lie3 min · children's telling A Kind Heartदयालु हृदय · દયાળુ હૃદયThe best kite flyer on the terrace, and the bird nobody else stopped for3 min · children's telling The Courageous Girlसाहसी लड़की · હિંમતવાન છોકરીHer knees were shaking, but she did not move3 min · children's telling Humanityमानवता · માનવતાForty messages of forgiveness, and the one person Kavya forgot4 min · children's telling Non Violenceअहिंसा · અહિંસાAn ant, an angry word and a secret wish, all in one day3 min · children's telling A Change of Heartहृदय परिवर्तन · હૃદય પરિવર્તનA wall built in anger, a storm in the night, and a gate where none had been4 min · children's telling The True Woodcutterसच्चा लकड़हारा · સાચો કઠિયારોThree axes, one truthful answer, and a man who already had enough4 min · children's telling The Greedy Kingलालची राजा · લોભી રાજાA king who wished that everything he touched would turn to gold4 min · children's telling Help the Needyज़रूरतमंद की मदद · જરૂરિયાતમંદને મદદTwo gifts for the same family, and only one of them was heard4 min · children's telling Food Without Harmअहिंसक भोजन · અહિંસક ભોજનWhy Aarya's lunchbox has no potato, and what a pea plant taught her friend4 min · children's telling Father and Sonपिता और पुत्र · પિતા અને પુત્રAn old red ledger, a new phone app, and a word of forgiveness4 min · children's telling The Power of Unityएकता की शक्ति · એકતાની શક્તિOne stick snaps easily, but what about a bundle?4 min · children's telling The Bag of Faultsदोषों की थैली · દોષોની થેલીWhy is it so easy to see what others do wrong?4 min · children's telling The King and the Gardenerराजा और माली · રાજા અને માળીA king who could command an army, but not a single seed4 min · children's telling The Soul in Every Beingहर जीव में आत्मा · દરેક જીવમાં આત્માAn ant, a tree and a question that no one in the family could answer at first4 min · children's telling The Fruits of Good Workअच्छे कर्म का फल · સારા કર્મનું ફળSanya did a good deed, and nothing happened, or so she thought4 min · children's telling The Greedy Monkeyलालची बंदर · લોભી વાંદરોA little monkey, a narrow jar, and a fist that would not open3 min · children's telling True Ageसच्ची उम्र · સાચી ઉંમરGreat grandfather is ninety one, but he says he is only about forty4 min · children's telling The Fall of Prideअभिमान का पतन · અભિમાનનું પતનThe best chess player in the building, and the little cousin she would not play3 min · children's telling The Greedy Dogलालची कुत्ता · લોભી કૂતરોA dog, a roti and a stranger in the river who wanted it too3 min · children's telling Thief Meets Thiefचोर को मिला चोर · ચોરને મળ્યો ચોરTwo clever cheats, two heavy bags, and a lesson neither expected4 min · children's telling The Company We Keepसंगति का असर · સંગતની અસરTwo parrot brothers, two different homes, and two very different words of welcome3 min · children's telling One Rupeeएक रुपया · એક રૂપિયોWhy does Nana keep one old coin in a little silver box?4 min · children's telling The Way of the Worldदुनिया की रीत · દુનિયાની રીતA rich man counts his treasures every morning, until the flower seller asks him a question4 min · children's telling True Studyसच्ची पढ़ाई · સાચું ભણતરAnika knew every answer, but the second half of the exam was at home4 min · children's telling Vankchoolवंकचूल · વંકચૂલA runaway prince, four small promises, and four times they saved him5 min · children's telling Four Daughters-in-lawचार बहुएँ · ચાર વહુઓRohini and the five grains of rice4 min · children's telling · free Shopping with Careध्यान से खरीदारी · ધ્યાનથી ખરીદીTanvi takes the shopping list, and the list takes her on an adventure4 min · children's telling Love the Animalsपशुओं से प्रेम · પશુઓને પ્રેમMeher was afraid of the brown dog by the gate, until the rain came4 min · children's telling The Devoted FrogA small frog who set out to see Bhagwan Mahavir4 min · children's telling The Brahmin and the Braceletब्राह्मण और कंगन · બ્રાહ્મણ અને કંકણAn old tiger, a golden bracelet, and a lake full of soft mud4 min · children's telling The Lion Who Thought He Was a Goatखुद को बकरी समझने वाला शेर · પોતાને બકરી સમજતો સિંહA lion cub grows up bleating, until he looks into a pond4 min · children's telling True Learningसच्ची शिक्षा · સાચું શિક્ષણPranav knew every answer, until a seven-year-old asked him a question4 min · children's telling Who Is Right?कौन सही है? · કોણ સાચું?A peacock, or a mess of dots? It depends where you stand4 min · children's telling Early to Riseजल्दी उठना · વહેલા ઊઠવુંTisha wants to see the sunrise with Ba, but her pillow has other ideas4 min · children's telling The Sheep Who Sharedबाँटने वाली भेड़ · વહેંચનારી ઘેટીA little sheep finds a secret patch of green in the snow4 min · children's telling The Babool Treeबबूल का पेड़ · બાવળનું ઝાડMitali wants the prickly tree gone, until she sees what it guards4 min · children's telling The Birds and the Lionपंछी और शेर · પંખીઓ અને સિંહA proud lion orders every bird out of the great banyan tree4 min · children's telling The Birds and the Jackalपंछी और सियार · પંખીઓ અને શિયાળA hungry jackal brings sweet news of peace to the birds3 min · children's telling The Birds and the Seedsपंछी और दाने · પંખીઓ અને દાણાAn old dove gives seeds away while the others hide them3 min · children's telling The Boy Who Liedझूठ बोलने वाला लड़का · જૂઠું બોલનાર છોકરોA bored shepherd boy finds a game that is not a game at all3 min · children's telling Bunny in Troubleमुसीबत में खरगोश · મુશ્કેલીમાં સસલુંA little rabbit who never needed anyone finds himself in a deep pit4 min · children's telling The Cuckoo Who Made Funमज़ाक उड़ाने वाली कोयल · મજાક ઉડાવતી કોયલKuhu the koel sings beautifully, and laughs at everyone who cannot4 min · children's telling The Cross-Eyed Kingभेंगा राजा · ત્રાંસી આંખવાળો રાજાThree painters, one king, and a portrait that had to be both true and kind4 min · children's telling The Dog That Got Angryगुस्सैल कुत्ता · ગુસ્સે થયેલો કૂતરોMoti growls at everyone, until anger leaves him stuck in the rain4 min · children's telling The Elephant and the Miceहाथी और चूहे · હાથી અને ઉંદરોThe smallest creatures in the forest keep a very big promise4 min · children's telling The Girl Who Saved Her Villageवह लड़की जिसने अपना गाँव बचाया · પોતાનું ગામ બચાવનારી છોકરીA line of tiny ants, a girl who noticed, and a whole village that listened4 min · children's telling The Horse and the Cowघोड़ा और गाय · ઘોડો અને ગાયBadal the horse thinks he is the most important animal on the farm3 min · children's telling The King's Beardराजा की दाढ़ी · રાજાની દાઢીWho would dare to pull a king's beard, and what should be done to him?3 min · children's telling The Monkey Who Was Greedyलालची बंदर · લાલચુ વાંદરોTwo fistfuls of peas, and one little pea that rolled away3 min · children's telling Muna the Earthwormमुना केंचुआ · મુના અળસિયુંThe smallest friend in the garden has a very big job3 min · children's telling The Pretty Red Fruitसुंदर लाल फल · સુંદર લાલ ફળA bowl of shining cherries, and a promise made to Ba3 min · children's telling The Rabbit and the Turtleखरगोश और कछुआ · સસલું અને કાચબોThe fastest runner in the forest takes a little nap3 min · children's telling A Simple Lieएक छोटा सा झूठ · એક નાનું જૂઠMitali tells one tiny lie, and it keeps on growing3 min · children's telling The Slave and the Lionदास और सिंह · દાસ અને સિંહA thorn, a frightened lion, and a kindness that came back years later3 min · children's telling The King Who Got Angryक्रोधी राजा · ગુસ્સે થયેલા રાજાA king who gave orders in a temper, and a monk who gave him one small rule4 min · children's telling Three Studentsतीन विद्यार्थी · ત્રણ વિદ્યાર્થીઓGo where no one can see you, said the teacher. But is there such a place?3 min · children's telling Two Fighting Catsदो लड़ती बिल्लियाँ · બે લડતી બિલાડીઓTwo cats, one rotli, and a very clever monkey with a pair of scales3 min · children's telling Two Parrotsदो तोते · બે પોપટTwo brothers from one nest, and the very different words they learned3 min · children's telling Choose Your Friends with Careमित्र सोच-समझकर चुनो · મિત્ર સમજીને પસંદ કરોA sweet-talking jackal, a trusting deer, and a crow who told the truth4 min · children's telling Dharmaraja's Righteousnessधर्मराज का धर्म · ધર્મરાજનો ધર્મA famine was foretold, the rain came anyway, and no one could say why4 min · children's telling Halik the Farmerहालिक किसान · હાલિક ખેડૂતWhy a poor farmer loved Gautam Swami but ran from Mahavir4 min · children's telling Harsh Words and a Mother's Sonकठोर वचन और माँ बेटा · કઠોર વચન અને મા દીકરોA few angry words, spoken one hungry evening, and how far they travelled4 min · children's telling Maheshvardattaमहेश्वरदत्त · મહેશ્વરદત્તA feast day, a wandering monk, and a truth hidden in plain sight4 min · children's telling Ujjhitkumar and Prideउज्झितकुमार · ઉજ્ઝિતકુમારA boy who thought he was greater than everyone, even a lion5 min · children's telling Papabuddhi and Deceitपापबुद्धि और धर्मबुद्धि · પાપબુદ્ધિ અને ધર્મબુદ્ધિTwo friends, a buried treasure and a tree that could talk5 min · children's telling King Yashovarma's Justiceराजा यशोवर्मा का न्याय · રાજા યશોવર્માનો ન્યાયA bell of justice, a grieving cow and a king who would not bend5 min · children's telling King Vidyapati and Contentmentराजा विद्यापति और संतोष · રાજા વિદ્યાપતિ અને સંતોષThe goddess of wealth said she would leave in ten days, so a merchant decided to give everything away first5 min · children's telling Nandaraja's Goldनंदराजा का सोना · નંદરાજાનું સોનુંA king filled his treasury with mountains of gold, and still felt poor4 min · children's telling Learning About Jealousyईर्ष्या के बारे में सीखना · ઈર્ષા વિશે શીખવુંMihika wanted to sing the stavan, and her best friend got the part4 min · children's telling Learning About Cheatingधोखे के बारे में सीखना · છેતરપિંડી વિશે શીખવુંKiaan wrote a bigger number on his mala sheet, and won a prize that felt strangely heavy3 min · children's telling Learning About Selfishnessस्वार्थ के बारे में सीखना · સ્વાર્થ વિશે શીખવુંSaanvi had a hundred colours, and her little cousin had one broken crayon3 min · children's telling Learning About Stealingचोरी के बारे में सीखना · ચોરી વિશે શીખવુંTisha slipped a sparkly hair clip into her pocket, and it would not stop whispering4 min · children's telling Learning to Be Kindदयालु बनना सीखना · દયાળુ બનતાં શીખવુંThe new girl from Rajkot ate her lunch alone, until Dhruv learned one Gujarati word3 min · children's telling Learning About Name-Callingबुरे नामों से पुकारने के बारे में सीखना · ખરાબ નામે બોલાવવા વિશે શીખવુંPranjal thought a funny name was just a joke, until his friend stopped coming to play4 min · children's telling Learning About Showing Offदिखावे के बारे में सीखना · દેખાડા વિશે શીખવુંVedant wore his gold medal everywhere, even to the dinner table4 min · children's telling Learning About Sulkingरूठने के बारे में सीखना · રિસાવા વિશે શીખવુંMyra decided to sulk all day, and the day went on without her4 min · children's telling Learning About Telling Talesचुगली के बारे में सीखना · ચાડી ખાવા વિશે શીખવુંJash told on his sister ten times a day, and then the day came when telling really mattered3 min · children's telling Learning About Purityपवित्रता के बारे में सीखना · પવિત્રતા વિશે શીખવુંNisha's puja clothes were spotless, but something else needed washing first4 min · children's telling Learning About Lyingझूठ के बारे में सीखना · જૂઠ વિશે શીખવુંOne small lie, one blameless cat, and a night that would not let Rushil sleep4 min · children's telling Taking a Standसही के लिए खड़े होना · સાચા માટે ઊભા રહેવુંRitika wants to change her whole school's mind, without shouting once3 min · children's telling A Child Meets Mahavir's Teachingsएक बच्चे की महावीर से पहली मुलाकात · એક બાળકની મહાવીર સાથે પહેલી મુલાકાતWhy would a prince give away a whole palace? Neel wants to know3 min · children's telling Learning About Humilityविनम्रता के बारे में सीखना · વિનમ્રતા વિશે શીખવુંThe new school captain meets a man with a broom who is far more important than he looks3 min · children's telling Learning About Thankfulnessआभार के बारे में सीखना · આભાર વિશે શીખવુંHow many people does it take to make one plate of dinner? Pihu starts counting3 min · children's telling Learning About Compassionकरुणा के बारे में सीखना · કરુણા વિશે શીખવુંThe grumpiest man on the corridor has a reason, and Mahi is the one who finds it3 min · children's telling Learning About Wanting Moreऔर ज़्यादा चाहने के बारे में सीखना · વધુ ને વધુ ઈચ્છા વિશે શીખવુંVeer finally gets the thing he wanted most, and then something odd happens3 min · children's telling Learning About Sharingबाँटने के बारे में सीखना · વહેંચવા વિશે શીખવુંSeventy two perfect colours, and not one of them allowed out of the box3 min · children's telling Learning About Respectआदर के बारे में सीखना · આદર વિશે શીખવુંKunj thinks some people are worth listening to and some are not, until his bicycle breaks3 min · children's telling Learning Not to Judgeकिसी को परखने से पहले · કોઈને પારખતાં પહેલાંPrisha is sure she knows exactly what kind of girl Sara is3 min · children's telling Learning About Responsibilityज़िम्मेदारी के बारे में सीखना · જવાબદારી વિશે શીખવુંDarsh made a promise to the sparrows, and then there was cricket3 min · children's telling Owning Our Actionsअपने कर्मों को अपनाना · પોતાનાં કર્મો સ્વીકારવાંIra kicks a football, hides behind a wall, and learns what seeds have to do with it4 min · children's telling Learning Mercyदया सीखना · દયા શીખવીA packet of biscuits, a hungry boy, and a grandfather who chose kindness3 min · children's telling Ramesh in the Restaurantरेस्टोरेंट में रमेश · રેસ્ટોરન્ટમાં રમેશTvisha orders dinner in a strange town and makes an unexpected friend4 min · children's telling Agaddattaअगडदत्त · અગડદત્તA banished prince, a brave archer, and the night he learned what love can hide5 min The Tortoise Who Hid His Limbsअंग छिपाने वाला कछुआ · અંગ સંતાડનાર કાચબોTwo tortoises, two hungry jackals, and the one who knew how to wait4 min · children's telling The Peacock's Eggsमोर के अंडे · મોરનાં ઈંડાંTwo friends, two eggs, and the one who could not stop shaking his4 min · children's telling The Bitter Gourd Pilgrimageकड़वी तुंबी की तीर्थयात्रा · કડવી તુંબડીની તીર્થયાત્રાIt bathed in every holy river in the land. Was it still bitter?4 min · children's telling The Six Leshyas and the Jambu Treeछह लेश्याएँ और जामुन का पेड़ · છ લેશ્યા અને જાંબુનું ઝાડSix hungry travellers, one tree, and six colours of the heart4 min · children's telling The Honey Dropमधुबिंदु · મધુબિંદુA man in great danger, and the one sweet drop that made him forget4 min · children's telling The Two Brothers and the Goldदो भाई और सोना · બે ભાઈ અને સોનુંTwo loving brothers carry home a bag of gold, and the bag begins to whisper5 min · children's telling The Merchant's Four Wivesव्यापारी की चार पत्नियाँ · વેપારીની ચાર પત્નીઓA rich man must make a long journey, and only one companion will walk with him4 min · children's telling The Fearless Rabbit and the Fireनिडर खरगोश और आग · નીડર સસલું અને આગA tiny rabbit finds shelter in the safest place in the whole forest4 min · children's telling A Lamp for the Nightरात का दीपक · રાતનો દીવોOne small flame, one dark room, and a shadow that was not what it seemed4 min · children's telling The Ant Lineचींटियों की कतार · કીડીઓની હારEyes down, feet soft: a little boy learns a new way to walk3 min · children's telling Water Is Preciousपानी अनमोल है · પાણી અમૂલ્ય છેA dry tap, a folded cloth, and a whole world inside a single drop4 min · children's telling No Food After Sunsetसूर्यास्त के बाद भोजन नहीं · સૂર્યાસ્ત પછી ભોજન નહીંWhy does Mummy eat dinner while the sky is still pink?4 min · children's telling The Kind Words Jarमीठे शब्दों का मर्तबान · મીઠા શબ્દોની બરણીMarbles can be taken out of a jar. Words cannot be taken back.4 min · children's telling Forgiving a Friendमित्र को क्षमा · મિત્રને ક્ષમાTwo friends, one secret, and the hardest two words of the year4 min · children's telling The Tree That Gaveदेने वाला पेड़ · આપનારું વૃક્ષA list of everything one old neem tree gives, and the meeting where it was read aloud4 min · children's telling The Butterfly Netतितली का जाल · પતંગિયાની જાળA new net, a garden full of wings, and a better use for both4 min · children's telling