Short stories for kids

The Little Frog and the Big Buffalo

One day a Little Frog happens to see a buffalo on its way to the pond and is stopped by it.  The little frog got surprised.

What are you doing by jumping like this? Yelled the big buffalo at the little frog

This is how I walk responded the frog with a surprise

You have got four legs like any other animal and why can’t you just walk? Buffalo again yelled with the same anger.

Now the little frog understood the confusion the big buffalo had and it turned upside down and asked:

Look my dear big buffalo how my legs are made. I do have four legs but the hind ones are differently made hence I can’t walk and I can only jump to cover distances.

Oh   sorry – pleaded the big buffalo

I am really sorry for showing my anger at you without knowing the reason.  I shall be your friend from now on wards and I shall carry you now to wherever you want to go.  Please let me know where do you want to go – requested the buffalo

The little frog felt very happy with the sudden change in the behavior of the big buffalo.

I need to go to the pond near that banyan tree but I do not know how to climb on to your back – said the little frog

Do not worry I shall sit down so that with one leap you can jump on to my back – suggested the big buffalo

The frog did as suggested but the smooth skin of the buffalo made its efforts futile.  Both the big buffalo and the little frog were disappointed but continued their efforts.  At one point the frog could jump on to the back of the buffalo but as the big buffalo started standing up it had slipped down.  As their struggle continued they saw Dr.Dove coming towards them.

What’s the matter why are you here asked Dr.Dove by alighting on the branch of a neem tree near them.

I made a promise to carry this small frog on my back to the pond near that banyan tree but it has become difficult for this small frog to reach my back. 

You want to carry the frog on your back. Isn't it? Asked Dr.Dove.

Yes told the buffalo

Then I have suggestion to you.  You both come along with me lead Dr.Dove towards the pond.  All three reached the pond.

Dear small frog you first jump into the water – said Dr.Dove

The small frog jumped into the water and looked up by turning back towards the buffalo and Dr.Dove.

Now dear Buffalo you walk into the water and sit down in such a way that your back is just touching the surface of the water level in the pond – said Dr.Dove.

The big buffalo did as suggested.

The little frog understood what is to be done. Immediately it jumped onto the back of the buffalo with ease and settled down there.

Soon the buffalo too understood and came slowly out of the water with the little frog on its back.  The little frog and the big buffalo were happy and thanked Dr.Dove.

Now tell me where shall I take you - asked the big buffalo

Not to the pond again but back to my home in the woods in the north pointed the little frog. 

Seeing their happiness Dr.Dove flew away.

A Squirrel in a Winter Night

You are aware that during winter the trees shed leaves and make the birds and other small animals that live on them to face cold nights.

One cold night a squirrel found it difficult to bear the cold.  It was on a search for a place that can protect it from the cold.  It ran into the parasol of a hut that belongs to an old man who lives on the outskirts of the forest.

As soon as the squirrel started moving in the parasol of his hut the old man heard the sound of it, came out and found the squirrel shivering with cold.  He extended his hand and waved his fingers to come on to it.  The squirrel for a moment kept quite and it recalled what all it had seen this old man doing earlier.  It appeared from this recalling that this old man is a good one.  It slowly crawled onto the hand of the old man who caressed it with his another hand and took it in side.

It was very warmth inside the hurt and it made the squirrel stop shivering soon and fall asleep.  It slept for more than three hours and woke up with the sound of the cupboard door opened by the old man.  The old man noticed this and came near the squirrel with a hot cup of tomato soup.  He fed the squirrel with the spoon and emptied the cup. 

The squirrel became active and found the holes in the roof of the hut.  The old man slept again.  As the day breaks out, the old man woke up and found searched for the squirrel in vain.  He thought that it had gone back to the forest.  He became busy with his daily chores. 

As he was about to rest for a nap after the lunch, he heard a noise on the top of the roof.  He looked up and found that the holes on the roof are being filled with a lump of fiber.  He went out to find out who was at work and saw the squirrel seriously filling the holes one after the other first with the fiber and topping it with a big leaf meticulously.

The old man came inside and started doing something.  The squirrel on the top of the roof completed its job and entered the hut to find out if it missed any hole.  The old man thanked the squirrel and offered a cup of hot milk.  The squirrel drank it merrily.

The old man asked, ‘how did get the fiber and the leaves to fill all the holes at once?’

I came out in the morning when you were still sleeping, started collecting the fiber and leaves from the nearby creeper in small quantities and brought them to the rooftop.  Once I felt I had enough material to fill the holes I started doing the job that I know well.

Though you are a small animal you have a big mind to think and great strength to do the job.  I thank you for your kind help.  You can live with me, if you want – said the old man.

The squirrel agreed to it by waving its tail and the head in joy.

Indeed the holes were well filled and the rainfall that occurred a couple of days later made it further firm and there was no leakage in the hut.

They lived together for a long time in the same hut.