For parents and teachers
Short stories from many cultures, each paired with reflection, a real-life action and a culture note. Built for ages 5–10 and designed to be used together with a grown-up.
How to use it
Read or listen together
Stories take 2–5 minutes. Press “Read it to me” for narration, or read aloud yourself and pause to ask what might happen next.
Think and talk
Use the picture questions after each story, then the discussion prompts below. There are no right-or-wrong scores.
Try it in real life
Every story ends with one small real-world action. Doing it — not reading more — is where the learning sticks.
In the classroom
- Pick the value of the week as a class theme and read one story each day.
- Project a “What would you do?” game and let students vote on choices before revealing what happens.
- Ask students to share a version of the story from their own family or region.
- Use the browser’s print option to print any story with its discussion guide.
Discussion guides for every story
The Honest Woodcutter · ages 5-7
The lesson: Telling the truth matters most when a lie would be easy.
Talk about:
- Why do you think the woodcutter said no to the golden axe?
- Has anyone ever trusted you because you told the truth?
Family activity: Play “true or made-up”: take turns saying one true thing and one made-up thing about your day, and guess which is which. Talk about how it feels when people believe you.
Open the storyThe Monkey and the Crocodile · ages 5-7
The lesson: A true friend never asks you to do something that hurts you.
Talk about:
- How can you tell if someone is a good friend?
- What could you do if a friend asked you to do something that felt wrong?
Family activity: Practise a “safe no” together: take turns asking silly requests, and practise saying “No, thank you” in a calm, strong voice.
Open the storyThe Hummingbird and the Forest Fire · ages 5-7
The lesson: Even if you are small, you can do your part — and others may join you.
Talk about:
- Is there a problem at home, school or in our town where we could do “our drop”?
- Why did the other animals start helping?
Family activity: Pick one small family action for the environment (saving water, picking up litter, a bird bath) and do it together for a week.
Open the storyStone Soup · ages 5-7
The lesson: When everyone shares a little, there is enough for all.
Talk about:
- Why did the villagers say “we have nothing” at first?
- What changed their minds?
Family activity: Make a “stone soup” meal together where each family member chooses and adds one ingredient.
Open the storyThe Old Man and the Date Palm · ages 5-7
The lesson: Be thankful for what others gave you, and give something good to those who come after you.
Talk about:
- What did our grandparents or great-grandparents do that still helps us today?
- What could our family do that will help people in the future?
Family activity: Plant a tree, a seed or a pot of herbs together, and talk about who will enjoy it in the years ahead.
Open the storyUncle Rabbit and the Falling Rock · ages 5-7
The lesson: When someone bullies you, stay calm, get safe and tell a grown-up you trust.
Talk about:
- Why is it brave to tell someone about bullying?
- What could you do if you saw someone else being bullied?
Family activity: Role-play: one person pretends to be pushy, the other practises staying calm, saying “Stop. I don’t like that,” and walking to a trusted adult.
Open the storyThe Empty Pot · ages 8-10
The lesson: Honesty takes courage, and it is worth more than looking good.
Talk about:
- Have you ever wanted to hide a mistake? What helped you tell the truth?
- Ping’s father helped him be brave. Who helps you be brave?
Family activity: Plant a seed together and keep a simple diary. If it does not grow, talk about it honestly and try again — that is part of the lesson too.
Open the storyAnansi and the Pot of Wisdom · ages 8-10
The lesson: Nobody knows everything. We grow wiser when we share and listen to each other.
Talk about:
- Why did Anansi want to keep all the wisdom?
- What is something you have learned from someone younger than you?
Family activity: Make a family “wisdom jar”: each person writes or draws one thing they know on a slip of paper. Read them together at dinner.
Open the storySix Friends and the Elephant · ages 8-10
The lesson: Other people may see a different part of the truth. Listen before you argue.
Talk about:
- Can two people both be a little bit right?
- Think of a time you only knew part of a story. What happened when you heard the rest?
Family activity: Put a mystery object in a bag. Each person feels one part without looking and describes it. Then put your clues together to guess the object.
Open the storyHeungbu and the Swallow · ages 8-10
The lesson: Real kindness comes from the heart, not from wanting a reward.
Talk about:
- What is the difference between being kind and pretending to be kind?
- Was it right for Heungbu to forgive Nolbu? Why?
Family activity: Keep a “secret kindness” week: each person does one quiet kind thing a day, and you share them all at the end of the week.
Open the storyThe Lion’s Whisker · ages 8-10
The lesson: Trust grows slowly, with patience, kindness and time.
Talk about:
- Why did the elder throw the whisker into the fire?
- What helps you trust someone new?
Family activity: Choose something that takes patience (a puzzle, a plant, learning a song) and work on it a little each day as a family.
Open the storyEat, Coat, Eat! · ages 8-10
The lesson: Treat people with respect for who they are, not for what they wear or own.
Talk about:
- Have you ever been judged by how you looked? How did it feel?
- How do we decide what someone is really like?
Family activity: Plan a simple “everyone welcome” snack time for visitors or neighbours, where each guest is greeted and served the same way.
Open the storyIf a story brings up something difficult
Some stories touch on bullying, trust and strangers. If your child shares something worrying, stay calm, thank them for telling you, and seek help. The Safety help page lists helplines, including Child Helpline 1098.