Kids Studio
Stories for 12+ Year Olds 12+ वर्ष के बच्चों के लिए कहानियाँ
40 stories · 6 collections
These 40 stories are marked as right for 12+ year olds: classic literature, history and discovery stories (Class 7+). They come from 6 collections, led by Mahabharata Stories for Kids (12), Vikram & Betal Stories (12) and Moral Stories for Kids (6).
29 of them are from Indian tradition — Panchatantra, Jataka, the epics, Akbar–Birbal, Tenali Raman and great lives.
Mahabharata Stories for Kids 12
- Arjuna and the Bird’s Eye Teacher Drona asks his students what they see before they shoot. Only Arjuna sees nothing but the bird’s eye. Moral: Focus on your goal, and you can achieve it. Ages 6+
- Arjuna and the Hunter Arjuna argues with a hunter over a boar — and discovers the hunter is Lord Shiva himself. Moral: Pride blinds us; humility helps us see the truth. Ages 6+
- Bhima and the Old Monkey Mighty Bhima cannot lift the tail of an old monkey lying across his path — and learns a lesson about pride. Moral: Strength should be used with humility and respect. Ages 6+
- Bhishma’s Vow Prince Devavrata gives up his right to the throne — and makes a vow so great that he becomes known as Bhishma. Moral: A promise made with a pure heart is worth keeping, however hard. Ages 6+
- Draupadi’s Wonderful Bowl In the forest, the Sun gives Draupadi a bowl that feeds every guest — until the day it is empty. Moral: Share what you have, and trust that help can come in hard moments. Ages 6+
- Karna’s Gift Karna, famous for never refusing a request, gives away his golden armour — even knowing what it will cost him. Moral: True generosity gives freely, even when it is hard. Ages 6+
- Krishna at Vidura’s Home Invited to a grand feast, Krishna chooses instead to eat a simple meal at the home of humble Vidura. Moral: A simple gift given with love is greater than a grand one given for show. Ages 6+
- Krishna, the Messenger of Peace Before the great war, Krishna goes to the Kaurava court to ask for peace — even for just five villages. Moral: Always try peace first; fairness is worth speaking up for. Ages 6+
- Krishna’s Advice to Arjuna On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna feels confused and sad. Krishna, his charioteer, guides him — the teaching called the Bhagavad Gita. Moral: Do your duty with a calm mind and a good heart. Ages 8+
- The House of Wax The Pandavas are sent to a palace secretly built to burn — but their wise uncle Vidura warns them in time. Moral: Good advice and careful preparation can protect us from danger. Ages 6+
- The Yaksha’s Questions A magical lake guardian asks riddles before anyone may drink. Only Yudhishthira stops to answer. Moral: Wisdom, patience and fairness are greater than strength. Ages 8+
- Yudhishthira and the Loyal Dog At the end of his journey, Yudhishthira refuses to enter heaven without the faithful dog who followed him. Moral: Never abandon those who are loyal to you. Ages 6+
Vikram & Betal Stories 12
- The Boy and the Three Questions An original TotsName riddle story: a boy answers one question with “I don’t know” — and wins the prize. Moral: Saying “I don’t know yet” is the beginning of learning. Ages 6+
- The Garden of Three Gardeners An original TotsName riddle story: three gardeners grow mango trees in different ways. Whose tree gives fruit first? Moral: Real care means giving what is needed, patiently. Ages 6+
- The King and the Betal King Vikram promises to carry a mysterious spirit from a tree — but the Betal tells a riddle story every time. Moral: Keep going, and let wisdom — not pride — guide your words. Ages 6+
- The Lamp and the Honest Servant An original TotsName riddle story: a servant finds gold while cleaning and returns it. Who deserves the reward? Moral: Honesty is a treasure worth more than gold. Ages 6+
- The Lost Cow and the Two Farmers An original TotsName riddle story: two farmers both claim the same cow. How can the judge tell whose it is? Moral: Fair decisions come from evidence, not from who argues hardest. Ages 6+
- The Painter, the Carpenter and the Singer An original TotsName riddle story: three friends make a puppet together. Whose work matters most? Moral: Every skill matters when we work together. Ages 6+
- The Prince Who Gave Himself A kind prince, Jimutavahana, offers to take a serpent’s place so the great bird Garuda will spare it. Moral: Compassion can change even the fiercest heart. Ages 8+
- The Three Delicate Queens Three queens are so delicate that the smallest things hurt them. Which one is the most delicate? Moral: Think carefully about the details before you decide. Ages 6+
- The Three Particular Brothers One brother can taste where rice was grown; another feels a single hair under seven mattresses. Who is the most sensitive? Moral: Careful observation helps us notice what others miss. Ages 6+
- The Well and the Thirsty Travellers An original TotsName riddle story: three travellers reach a well with one small cup of water left. Who is kindest? Moral: Kindness notices who needs help the most. Ages 6+
- Three Friends and the Princess Three young men each help a princess who fell gravely ill. Who should be her husband? The Betal asks the king. Moral: Our actions show what kind of relationship we have with someone. Ages 8+
- Vikram Keeps Going An original TotsName story: why does King Vikram go back to the tree again and again? The Betal finally asks him. Moral: Every try teaches something; patience earns respect. Ages 6+
Moral Stories for Kids 6
- Bade Bhai Sahab: My Elder Brother (Munshi Premchand) A strict elder brother lectures his little brother about studying — until one day he shows the love hidden behind his scolding. Moral: Behind an elder’s strictness there is often deep love and care. Ages 8+
- Gulli Danda: My Childhood Friend (Munshi Premchand) A grown-up officer returns to his village and plays gulli-danda with his childhood friend — and learns a lesson about pride. Moral: Pride and rank can make us lose true friendship; real friends meet as equals. Ages 8+
- Haar Ki Jeet: Baba Bharti and Sultan (Sudarshan) A famous bandit tricks Baba Bharti out of his beloved horse — and Baba’s one request changes the bandit’s heart. Moral: Kindness and trust are worth more than any treasure — and goodness can change even a hard heart. Ages 6+
- Kabuliwala: Mini and Rahmat (Rabindranath Tagore) A tall fruit-seller from Kabul becomes best friends with a chatty little girl in Kolkata — because she reminds him of his own daughter far away. Moral: Love for our children is the same everywhere; kindness can cross every border. Ages 6+
- Namak Ka Daroga: The Honest Officer (Munshi Premchand) A young officer refuses a huge bribe from the richest man in town. He loses his job — but wins something far greater. Moral: Honesty may cost you something today, but it earns respect that no money can buy. Ages 8+
- Panch Parmeshwar: Justice Above Friendship (Munshi Premchand) Two best friends, Jumman and Algu, each have to judge a case involving the other. Will they be fair — or loyal? Moral: A true judge is fair to everyone — even to a friend, even to someone they are angry with. Ages 8+
Arabic Stories for Kids 5
- Fatima al-Fihri and the Oldest University A young woman in Morocco used her inheritance to build a place of learning — and it is still open after more than 1,100 years. Moral: Use what you have to build something that helps others for a long, long time. Ages 6+
- Hatim Tai and the Proud Woodcutter Hatim Tai was the most generous man in Arabia. But he said a poor woodcutter was greater than him. Why? Moral: Honest work and self-respect are as noble as great generosity. Ages 6+
- Ibn al-Haytham and the Secret of Light Stuck inside a dark room for years, a scientist from Basra discovered how our eyes really see — by testing, not guessing. Moral: Ask questions, test your ideas, and keep learning even in hard times. Ages 8+
- Ibn Battuta: The Boy Who Travelled the World At 21, Ibn Battuta left home in Morocco for a journey of one year. He came back nearly thirty years later — after visiting India too! Moral: The world is a book — and those who never travel read only one page. Ages 6+
- The Seventeen Camels Three brothers cannot share seventeen camels the way their father wished — until a wise traveller lends them one more. Moral: A little help and clear thinking can solve problems that anger cannot. Ages 8+
Tenali Raman Stories 3
- Tenali and the Scholar’s Challenge A proud scholar says he can answer anything. Tenali brings a “book” with a very strange title. Moral: No one knows everything — it is wise to admit what we don’t know. Ages 8+
- The Dream Palace The king promises a palace he saw in a dream. Tenali shows why dreams can’t be used to make claims. Moral: Wishes and dreams must be separated from what is real and possible. Ages 8+
- The Jester’s Blessing In a legend of Tenali’s youth, laughter at a strange sight leads to a blessing to make people laugh. Moral: Humour and honesty can be gifts, used with respect. Ages 8+
Akbar Birbal Stories 2
- Birbal’s Three Questions A proud visitor asks three hard questions. Birbal answers with a cup of milk and a lamp. Moral: Big questions can be explored with simple, thoughtful examples. Ages 8+
- Counting Who Cannot See Birbal says there are more people who cannot see than people who can — and proves it with a half-made bed. Moral: Truly seeing means paying attention, not just having eyes. Ages 8+
Frequently asked questions
Which stories are good for a 12+ year old?
Start with Arjuna and the Bird’s Eye (“Focus on your goal, and you can achieve it”), Arjuna and the Hunter (“Pride blinds us; humility helps us see the truth”), Bade Bhai Sahab: My Elder Brother (Munshi Premchand) (“Behind an elder’s strictness there is often deep love and care”) and Bhima and the Old Monkey (“Strength should be used with humility and respect”).
Are there Indian stories for 12+ year olds?
Yes — 29, for example Arjuna and the Bird’s Eye (Mahabharata Stories for Kids), Arjuna and the Hunter (Mahabharata Stories for Kids) and Bhima and the Old Monkey (Mahabharata Stories for Kids).
Do the stories come with questions?
40 of these 40 stories have questions to talk about after reading, and most have a small activity too.