bedtime stories Archives - Page 6 of 6

MANU AND TINU’S BRAVERY

It was a Sunday morning. Manu and Tinu were playing cricket on the playground near their house. Suddenly, the ball bounced hard and went into the adjoining house.

“Oops!” Manu said. “Tinu, our ball has gone into Seth Malmalram’s house. Come on! Let’s go and get it back!”

Both the boys then ran towards Seth Malmalram’s house to look for their ball.

“Look! There’s our ball,” Tinu said and pointed towards the ball that had fallen near a window.

The two boys then went closer to the window to retrieve their ball.

It was then that they heard the strange noises coming from inside the house.

Manu and Tinu were curious. They knew that Seth Malmalram was a quiet person and rarely made any sounds. They peeped through the window and looked inside.

The two boys were horrified by what they saw.

Seth Malmalram was gagged and tied to a chair. There were two men in the house besides him. They both looked very shady.

“Oh no! Seth Malmalram has been gagged and tied to a chair!” Manu said, looking very shocked.

“Those two men must be thieves!” Tinu said as he watched the two men.

“I can see them opening the drawers and cupboards. They are stealing jewels and money from the house.”

“We should do something and save Seth Malmalram from being looted. He is our neighbour after all,” Manu said, looking very concerned “Tinu, why don’t you run to the police station? Tell Inspector Shyam what we’ve just seen. I will stay here and teach these fellows a lesson!”

Tinu did as he was told and ran towards the police station.

Manu stood still for a moment, wondering what to do. He spotted a motorcycle that was parked outside the house.

“Aha! This motorcycle must belong to the thieves!” Manu thought. He found a sharp stick and punctured both the tires of the motorcycle. “This will slow down their escape.”

Manu then looked around and found some stones. He picked them up and put them in his pockets. He then went back to the house and sneaked in after opening a bathroom window.

Manu found a small bucket of water lying in the bathroom.

“This will come handy,” he said, picking the bucket up.

Manu then tiptoed and went into one of the bedrooms. There was a big almirah kept there.

“Hmm,” Manu thought. “The thieves haven’t come into this room as yet. But I’m sure they’ll be here soon.”

Manu climbed on a chair and kept the bucket on the almirah’s top. He then climbed to the almirah’s top and sat there, quite sure that the thieves would come soon.

Manu had guessed correctly. After some time, the thieves entered the room.

“We will get a huge booty today, Chunty!” the thief whose name was Bunty said. “Only this almirah is now left for us to loot!”

“Yes! Let us open it and take whatever we can, Bunty,” Chunty said and grinned.

The two thieves put their hands forward to open the almirah but to their surprise, something fell on them. It was the bucket of water that Manu was taken from the bathroom.

“Ow!” the thieves screamed. They were startled and stepped back at once.

“Who’s there? Who has thrown water on us?” Bunty shouted.

Manu spoke in a throaty voice and said, “I said that. I am the almirah. You both have dared to open me without asking for my permission. I will punish you for doing that.”

The two thieves were astonished. They had never heard an almirah talk before.

“Bunty, did… did this almirah just say something?” Chunty nervously asked.

Bunty was nervous too. But he didn’t want to show his friend or the almirah who he believed could talk, that he was scared. He tried to sound as bold as he could and said, “We are not afraid. You cannot stop us from opening you.”

Bunty put his hand forward to open the almirah again. Manu, who was crouching on the top of the

Manu, who was crouching on the top of the almirah and clearly out of the thieves’ view, pelted the thieves with the stones he had picked up.

The two thieves were terrified now. They were shaking like leaves and wondering how an almirah had stoned them. They ran towards the door.

“Let’s get out of here!” they both shouted. “The almirah must be haunted!”

The two thieves opened the door and ran towards to their motorbike.

But to their dismay, they found it punctured.

“The tires are punctured!” Chunty cried. “What bad luck!”

“Forget about the motorbike! Let’s run instead!” Bunty shouted.

The two thieves turned to run. But they had a rude shock when they saw Tinu standing there. Tinu had arrived at the nick of time with Inspector Shyam.

Bunty and Chunty panicked when they saw Inspector Shyam. He was already pulling handcuffs out of his pocket.

“Going somewhere?” Inspector Shyam asked and arrested the thieves at once.

Manu and Tinu then ran to untie Seth Malmalram who thanked them and praised them for their bravery and intelligence.

Inspector Shyam then invited the two boys to the police station where he rewarded them with a medal and a certificate each.

Manu and Tinu were very happy that day. Whoever thought so much adventure could come from a lost cricket ball!

Arrogant Cloud

Cloudy Cloud was a young cloud. He liked floating in the sky and causing trouble wherever he went. One day, when Cloudy took a whole lot of water from The Old Sea, The Old Sea felt that it was important to give the young cloud an important lesson.

“When you come across people craving for water,” The Old Sea said, “or farmers standing in the fields who are waiting for you to shower raindrops, don’t disappoint them. Open your heart and quench their thirst. For that is the real purpose of being a cloud. And please, don’t cause trouble or harm anyone.

“Well, I shall see,” Cloudy Cloud said and quickly drifted away. He didn’t like The Old Sea telling him what to do.

“Ha! Everybody wants to give you a lesson and impose their thinking on you,” Cloudy Cloud grumbled. “I will shower raindrops wherever I want. I will do what I please. Let The Old Sea say whatever he wants. I don’t care!”

The people of a village saw Cloudy floating in the sky. Their eyes shone with joy. “Look there! There’s a rain cloud in the sky! It will shower raindrops on our lake! We will have lots of water to drink! Our thirst will be quenched!” the villagers said happily.

But Cloudy Cloud ignored the villagers and drifted away. “Why should I bother if you are hungry or thirsty, huh?” he said and left the poor villagers pining for water.

Cloudy Cloud then floated ahead arrogantly.

After some time, he stopped over a field. The farmers in the field looked up and clapped their hands. They were overjoyed. Their field was parched and they had been eagerly awaiting the rains.

“Now we will get the elixir of life! Our field will receive rainfall! Our crops will grow! We will have grains to eat! This cloud will surely shower rainfall!” the farmers sang and danced.

“Surely shower rainfall, huh?” Cloudy muttered. “Why should I shower rainfall on your field? Am I your servant? Do you think I’ve brought the water especially for your field from so far, huh? Well, I really don’t care about you or your crops!”

Cloudy then made a rude face and moved on. The farmers below blamed The Wind.

“Oh! The rain cloud was blown away! Wind, why did you do that? Our crops won’t grow now! We won’t have food to eat!” they wept.

The Wind who had been watching quietly felt very bad. He scolded Cloudy, “Cloudy, I am being blamed for your mistakes. Why aren’t you showering rain? You are disappointing everyone.”

“Mind your own business!” Cloudy Cloud told The Wind rudely. “Don’t you dare meddle with me or poke your nose in my affairs.”

“Don’t be so arrogant, young fellow” The Wind told Cloudy Cloud. “People will be grateful if you shower rain in places where it ! is needed.” Saying so, The Wind went away, hoping Cloudy would understand.

But Cloudy Cloud didn’t care. He had made up his mind to do what he wanted. He wanted to play pranks and have fun.

He found an old potter who was making mud pots and drizzled all over him.

“Oh no!” the potter cried. “All my efforts have been wasted. The rain has softened all my pots even before they could dry and take shape. I am ruined!”

Cloudy Cloud grinned. He enjoyed seeing the old potter cry. The Wind noticed this and felt very upset. But he knew that no matter how he tried, explaining anything to Cloudy was quite useless.

Cloudy Cloud decided that he would cause more mischief. He showered big drops of rain right above a lawn where a marriage reception was being held. The tents fell apart with the rainfall and the guests at the reception found that they were drenched. The food too was soaked with water and became inedible. There was chaos as everyone was running for shelter.

Cloudy Cloud laughed. He enjoyed having fun at the expense of others. He then drifted ahead, looking for more places to cause trouble. The Wind who had decided to follow Cloudy couldn’t bear to see the damage he was causing. He was very annoyed now.

The Wind then went to his old friend, Tall Mountain. “Tall Mountain, we must do something or this wicked, young cloud will go on troubling everyone.”

“You are right,” Tall Mountain said. “I have been watching Cloudy too. He really is wicked. Don’t worry. I have an idea. We will stop Cloudy from doing any further harm.”

Tall Mountain then explained his idea. A short while later, The Wind found Cloudy Cloud. He was showering raindrops above a clothesline full of dry clothes. “Cloudy Cloud, I won’t stop you from doing what you want! But I have a special request!”

The Wind said politely. “I hope you will listen.”

Cloudy stopped and turned around. He was curious and wondered what The Wind would say. “What is it?” he asked arrogantly.

“Please don’t go close to Tall Mountain! He has a high fever and a bad cold! The doctors have warned him not to get wet,” The Wind told Cloudy. “Is that so?” Cloudy Cloud asked mischievously.

“Yes,” The Wind replied, knowing exactly what Cloudy would do. Then, just as Tall Mountain had predicted, Cloudy enthusiastically drifted towards Tall Mountain’s peak. “I will shower raindrops on Tall Mountain’s peak and make him wet,” Cloudy Cloud said and laughed.

Now Cloudy Cloud didn’t know how high and strong Tall Mountain was. He rushed towards Tall Mountain’s peak with all his might and collided into it with a loud bang.

To Cloudy Cloud’s dismay, all the water he had within him splashed out in the form of heavy rain. And soon after that, he began breaking into pieces, like cotton balls.

“Help! I am vanishing! Please help me,” Cloudy Cloud cried as he slowly faded away “I don’t want to disappear!”

The last words that Cloudy Cloud heard before he faded away completely were, “This is what happens to those who cause trouble and try to harm others.”

Cloudy Cloud realized that The Wind and Tall Mountain were talking about him. “I wish I had been a good cloud and listened to The Old Sea and The Wind!” Cloudy Cloud said. He then disappeared completely.

Brave Baby Rabbit

Baby Rabbit was sitting under a tree. He couldn’t concentrate on anything. It was time for him to return home from school. But Baby Rabbit didn’t feel like going back home. His school bag and lunch box were in front of him. He stared at them blankly and remembered the incident that had occurred just a few days ago…

Baby Rabbit had been strolling in Nandanvan. His favourite grass had grown there after the rains. Baby Rabbit was nibbling on the grass when a ripe mango had suddenly fallen from a tree. Baby Rabbit had been startled. But when he had realized that it was just a mango, his mouth had watered. He had picked the mango up and washed it carefully. Baby Rabbit had just started to suck on the mango when a vixen had leaped on him.

Baby Rabbit had thrown the mango aside and hidden inside bush. Well, who doesn’t love their life? He had then watched with baited breath from inside the bush. The vixen had sat down to eat the mango.

Baby Rabbit’s eyes had filled with tears. He had wanted to scream and tell the vixen that the mango belonged to him. But he had not been able to utter a word. The vixen had gone away after eating the mango. She had sucked the kernel fully too and not left a morsel or a drop of juice.

Baby Rabbit had come home and wept. He had narrated the incident to his mother. Baby Rabbit’s Mother had listened patiently. “Son,” she had then said lovingly. “There is no need to cry so much for a mango. I will go to the market and buy a crateful of mangoes for you. You can eat them to your heart’s content.” Baby Rabbit had not been consoled.

“Mother, I’m not upset because I didn’t get to eat the mango,” he said softly. “I’m upset because the vixen took something that was rightfully mine. What if I took away something that the vixen was eating? Would that be right?”

“You are not wicked,” Baby Rabbit’s Mother had said. “You are a brave child, Baby Rabbit. Why would you do something so mean?”

Baby Rabbit sighed. “That’s not the truth, Mother,” he said sadly. “The truth is that I’m weak. I’m even scared to go to school. There is no justice in this jungle. Please don’t call me brave. Everyone fears brave creatures. But no one fears me. If I was brave, no one would have dared to bother me and everyone would have feared me.”

Baby Rabbit’s Mother shook her head sadly. She had no answer for her son. The very same day, Baby Rabbit saw his best friend Snehi Deer running for his life. A tiger was chasing him. Baby Rabbit had hidden behind a tree and watched. Snehi Deer had managed to save himself but had fallen sick after that. The fear of the tiger had given him a high fever.

Like Baby Rabbit, Snehi Deer too thought he was a weak animal and had to struggle to save himself.

Both these incidents had disturbed Baby Rabbit no end. He had not been able to study or play games after that. The fear of being attacked by a vixen or a tiger at any time had shaken him up badly. He often thought of going to King Sher Singh with his fears but was too afraid to do so.

Baby Rabbit began to believe that he was very weak. “I am a coward!” he would cry and say. “I am weak. I am afraid of everyone.” Baby Rabbit picked up his school bag and lunch box and stood up. He slowly walked towards his house. He was still very upset.

There was a pond on the way to Baby Rabbit’s house. He decided to stroll along it just to divert his mind. It was a peaceful and brightly lit spot. Moreover, no wild animals ever came to the pond. So, there was no danger there.

Baby Rabbit saw some frogs in the pond. They were sitting on the lily pads and croaking happily. A cool wind started to blow. It made Baby Rabbit feel like running. He hung his school bag on a tree branch and started to run.

As soon as Baby Rabbit began running, he heard splashing sounds coming from the water. He turned around and saw that all the frogs in the pond had noticed him. They looked very scared of him and were leaping and jumping into the safety of the water.

Baby Rabbit was astonished. He stopped to watch. “What?” he said. “There’s no one else here but me! Are those frogs afraid of me?”. Baby Rabbit smiled. He couldn’t believe that there were creatures who were afraid of him too. He took his things and ran back home. He rang the bell continuously till his mother answered the door. “Mother!” he said happily as soon he saw his mother. “I have something to tell you!”

“What is it, Baby Rabbit?” Baby Rabbit’s Mother asked. “You’ve rung the bell so many times. Good children ring the bell only once.” Baby Rabbit hugged his mother and said, “Guess what, Mother? I am brave! I am very brave!”

“Yes, Baby Rabbit! I know that. But what has suddenly made you realise that?” Baby Rabbit’s Mother asked, looking surprised. “All the frogs in the pond dived into the water when they saw me!” Baby Rabbit said and laughed. “I was all by myself but there were at least a dozen frogs. They looked terrified of me!”

“Son, you now know that there are creatures who think they are weaker than you,” Baby Rabbit’s Mother said softly. “Will you stop calling yourself weak now?”

“I will never call myself weak again!” Baby Rabbit said with a smile.

“Very good,” Baby Rabbit’s Mother said. “You are a brave and strong child. But don’t scare the frogs just like the vixen scared you. Being strong and brave doesn’t mean that you should scare others. It means protecting those who are weaker than you. Go back to the pond now and make friends with the frogs. They will stop fearing you and come to play with you.”

“I will do that, Mother!” Baby Rabbit said, running out of the house.

Baby Rabbit then went to the pond and made friends with the frogs who stopped being afraid of him.

Friends Of A Feather

Browny, the weaver bird, helps little chicks stranded in the rain but her neighbour, Blacky, the crow is against the idea.

Watch to find out how Blacky has a change of heart.

____________________________

Story: Indrajit Kaushik

Illustrations: Helena

Greater Happiness

Chulbuli Squirrel considered herself very lucky. She had a big banyan tree for a house. She lived there by herself in great comfort.

There were lush green pastures and fields near the banyan tree. The crops would sway in the fields when the wind blew. And grains scattered and fell on the grass every single day.

This made things very easy for Chulbuli Squirrel. All she had to do was to climb down the tree whenever she was hungry and help herself to the grains.

There was a small pond near Chulbuli’s tree too. It never went dry. In fact, the pond was full of cool and clear water throughout the year. Chulbuli Squirrel had to simply skip to the pond and drink its water whenever she was thirsty.

The weather too was always pleasant. The skies above the tree were covered with soft, white clouds. And a cool and gentle breeze always blew around the tree.

Chulbuli Squirrel would run up and down the tree and enjoy herself thoroughly. She didn’t have a care in the world. “I am so happy!” Chulbuli Squirrel would often say to herself. “Nothing can make me happier!”

A short distance from Chulbuli’s tree was a field with a barn. Babloo Rabbit and the barn owner’s dog who was called Tommy Watchdog lived there. They were Chulbuli’s friends and often played with her.

Tommy Watchdog worked very hard during the day. He was also very alert during the night. If he ever saw anyone coming near the field or barn, he would start barking loudly and alert the barn owner.

One day, Chulbuli Squirrel met Tommy Watchdog near the field. He hadn’t slept too well the previous night and looked very tired.

“I feel very sorry for you, Tommy,” Chulbuli Squirrel said. “You guard the field all day and night. You have to bark all the time. Your jaws must be aching with all the barking you do. Its hard work, isn’t it?”

Tommy Watchdog kept quiet. He listened as the little squirrel went on. “Look at me! I am so happy!” Chulbuli Squirrel went on cheerfully. “There’s no happiness greater than mine. There’s nothing that can make one happier than living in a comfortable house and having an easy life.”

Tommy Watchdog who had been listening patiently all this while finally said, “You are wrong, Chulbuli. A day will come when you will know there are other things that can make you happier. You will realise that there are other things that can warm your heart besides living in a comfortable house and having an easy life.”

The Boring Day of Pickly Wibble the Hedgehog

Chulbuli Squirrel didn’t understand what the dog meant. “Er… Tommy, my friend,” she said. “Let’s discuss this some other day. It’s lunchtime now. I must go to the field. There are golden grains of corn waiting for me.”

The grains of corn lying on the field was soft and sweet. Chulbuli Squirrel ate them all and then rested on the grass below her tree.

She looked up at the sky and saw that there were soft, clouds above her. The breeze too was cool and refreshing. Chulbuli Squirrel felt very happy.

“Ah! What beautiful weather! My life is perfect!” she thought. “There is nothing else that can make me happier!” She closed her eyes and fell asleep on the grass.

Suddenly, the sound of screaming pierced Chulbuli Squirrel’s ears. She opened her eyes at once and looked around. She quickly hopped towards the direction where the sound was coming from.

Chulbuli Squirrel hopped further and stopped. “Oh no!” she cried as she spotted her friend Babloo Rabbit.

He was wincing and groaning in pain. Chulbuli saw that a big thorn had pricked Babloo Rabbit’s paw. It was bleeding and Babloo Rabbit looked very distressed. There was nobody around to help pull the thorn out of his paw.

Chulbuli Squirrel quickly hopped towards Babloo Rabbit and tried to pull the thorn out with her teeth. But the thorn was thrust deeply and did not come out easily.

Chulbuli tried harder. But the thorn still didn’t come out. In fact, it pricked Chulbuli’s mouth. “Ouch!” Chulbuli Squirrel cried in pain. The thorn had stung and scratched her mouth badly but she decided to ignore it. She was more concerned about helping Babloo Rabbit. She couldn’t bear to see her friend in such great agony.

Chulbuli Squirrel tried to console Babloo Rabbit. “Don’t worry, my friend!” she said in a reassuring tone. “I know that I am small but I will try my best to help you.”

Chulbuli Squirrel then held the thorn tightly with her teeth. She loosened it at first by pulling it from all sides. She then pulled as hard as she could. To Babloo Rabbit’s great relief, the thorn now came out in one go. But Chulbuli Squirrel lost her balance in the bargain. She fell against a rock and injured her little back.

Babloo Rabbit felt relieved as soon as the thorn came out of his paw. He stopped groaning and smiled. Chulbuli’s mouth was still stinging. And her back was badly injured too. But the moment she saw Babloo Rabbit smiling, she forgot all about her pain and watched her friend.

Tommy Watchdog, who had heard the commotion, came along.

He saw his two friends and immediately understood what had happened.

“Chulbuli, you are hurt.” Tommy Watchdog told the little squirrel with concern. “Let me apply some medicine on your wounds.”

“Forget about my wounds, Tommy!” Chulbuli Squirrel smiled and said. “They really aren’t bothering me. I’m feeling very happy now. I helped remove a thorn from Babloo Rabbit’s paw. It was causing him great discomfort.”

Tommy Watchdog smiled. “I’m sure you’re feeling very happy now, Chulbuli,” he said.

“But is this happiness greater than the one you get from living on your comfortable tree?”

Chulbuli Squirrel thought for a moment and then said, “No, Tommy! This happiness is far greater. I am happier to have helped a friend in need than living the same old comfortable life. I now understand what you tried to tell me. The greatest happiness comes from helping a troubled friend.”

Tommy Watchdog smiled. Chulbuli Squirrel had finally understood what he meant.

Indeed, the greatest happiness comes from helping a troubled friend.

A Dangerous Doctor

Doctor Dunky Donkey was very sad. No patient would come to his hospital now. The reason was that whatever operations Dunky had done, had all been unsuccessful. Now all the animals had started calling Dunky as Dangerous Doctor.

One day Doctor Dunky was relaxing in his hospital. He thought, ‘No patient came today too. All animals think I am a dangerous doctor. Now I will have to do something else so that patients come to my hospital.’

Thinking so, Doctor Dunky went out in search of patients. All of a sudden, he heard a cry of pain from behind the bushes, “Meow…meow…somebody help me.”

“Who’s that? Catty, is it you?” Seeing Catty Cat writhing in pain, Dunky asked, “What happened, Catty? It seems you are sick. Tell me, I am a doctor. I have treatment of all diseases.”

Catty thought for a while, ‘If I go to Dunky’s hospital, I will die of his wrong treatment and if I don’t go, I will die of pain. What should I do now? There is no hospital nearby. I have no choice but to go to this dangerous doctor.’

Catty screamed in pain and said, “Doctor, I was running behind Chunchun Rat. I was just going to catch him that all of a sudden he jumped into my open mouth and reached my stomach. Doctor, please do something. Take out that rat from my stomach.”

The doctor was very pleased to hear Catty’s story. He thought, ‘I have to prove myself to be a good doctor this time.’

Then Doctor and Catty quickly went to the hospital.

The Doctor got engaged in the operation. Many animals gathered together in front of the hospital.

“Now Catty’s life is really in danger,” One animal said.

Doctor Dunky operated Catty with trembling hands and took out Chunchun alive. Then he put stitches on Catty’s stomach.

After that Doctor Dunky came out and happily told everyone, “My operation was successful.”

Oh, Catty is alive. This is a miracle.”

Everyone was surprised. “Wow, Doctor, you have done a good operation.”

Dunky was overjoyed. He started thinking, ‘Now many patients will come to my hospital. I will keep busy. Hahaha…’

But Dunky’s happiness couldn’t stay for many days. The next day itself Catty Cat came back with the complaint of stomach pain, “Oh Doctor, what did you do to my stomach?”

Then all animals together took Catty to Doctor Sheru Lion’s hospital in Champakvan.

When Sheru operated Catty, he found a scissor in her stomach.

Actually, Doctor Dunky had carelessly left the scissor in Catty’s stomach during the operation. That is why Catty’s stomach was paining so much.

When other animals came to know about Dunky’s blunder, they pelted his hospital with stones and shouted, “Dunky, close your hospital. You are not fit to be a doctor.” Humiliated, Dunky lowered his head and went to Dighu Dog.

WHY AM I LIKE THIS?

That day Chunky Rat was very sad when Cheelu Eagle came there.

“Why are you sad, Brother Chunky?” Cheelu asked.

“What shall I say? Everybody wants to kill me. Crows and the other birds or snakes and cats, all frighten me as I am small in size. If I was big, they couldn’t have done so,” Chunky said in a dejected voice.

“Okay, tell me what would you have done if you were big?” Cheelu smiled.

“If I was big, I would have bitten the cats, caught the tails of snakes and threw them in the air and I would have been so bad with the crows, hawks and the eagles that they would have never forgotten,” Chunky said overzealously.

“Oh, so along with other birds, you are thinking of making bad state of eagles too. Now I will show you how to make a bad state of somebody,” When Cheelu ran behind Chunky, he hid inside his hole.

Chunky didn’t come out of his hole for a long time. Only when Cheelu went away, did he come out.

He saw a giraffe coming.

“Wow Brother Giraffe, you have an amazing height. I wish I was as tall as you, and then I wouldn’t have to be afraid of anyone. On the contrary, others would have been scared of me.

“You think being tall is good? Do you know that because of my height I can’t hide and my enemies spot me easily? If I was small like you, I could have hidden anywhere,” giraffe said in an unhappy tone.

“So you are not happy with your height?”

“Not at all,” giraffe said. Just then he heard the roar of a lion and got frightened.

“It seems the lion is coming here,” giraffe said and ran away.

‘Wow, a lion must be the strongest. A big animal like a giraffe is also scared of him,’ Chunky thought. When the lion came there, Chunky hid inside his hole.

“You are looking anxious. What’s the matter?” Chunky asked from inside his hole.

“Hide me somewhere. Hunters have arrived in the jungle and they are looking for me.”

“You are the king of the jungle, but still you are scared of humans?” Chunky was surprised.

“If the humans catch me, I will be no king,” the lion said and started looking for a place to hide. When he didn’t find a suitable place, he left.

“How’s that, the animal who is the king of the jungle and so strong is petrified of ordinary humans, even I am not scared of humans,’ Chunky thought.

Chunky came out from his hole and reached the riverside. He saw an elephant in the river.

“Why are you roaming about so carelessly? Don’t you know that there are hunters in the jungle?” Chunky said.

“I am not scared of hunters,” the elephant said unconcerned. “What? You are not afraid of the hunters? Even the king of the jungle lion is scared of them. Okay, you must be definitely scared of the lion?”

“I will wrap my trunk around the lion and throw him away. Why should I be scared of him?”

“That means you are not scared of anyone?”

“It’s not like that. I am very scared of ants,” Chunky was astonished to hear this.

‘This elephant is scared of those ants of which even I am not scared. That means I am stronger than him,’ Chunky thought and came back to his hole.

“But I am afraid of Cheelu. That means Cheelu is the strongest. She is not scared of anyone and she can fly high in the sky without any fear. I wish I could be like Cheelu,’ Chunky was thinking when he heard somebody whimpering in pain. He came out of his hole and saw. Cheelu was sitting on a tree branch and moaning. She was badly hurt.

“Cheelu, what happened, how did you get hurt? You are so strong that everyone is scared of you, then who did this to you?”

“I got hurt by a kite string while flying,” Chunky began laughing when Cheelu said this.

“I am injured and you are laughing?” Cheelu said angrily.

“I am not laughing on you, but on thinking that the animals that I thought to be very strong are weaker than even me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Lion is afraid of hunter, elephant of ant and you got hurt by a mere string. That means I am stronger than all of you because I am not scared of hunters or ants. Tearing threads is a daily thing for me. So whether its sky or the earth, I am strong both up and down. I was unnecessarily thinking myself as weak,” Chunky said happily and went back to his hole, leaving Cheelu perplexed.

Tikki Tikki Tambo

In a remote village of China, there lived 2 friends. One was named Sam and the other was, Tikki Tikki Tambo No Saribo Hari Kari Bushki Peri Pem Do Hai Kai Nikki No Meeno Dom Barako.

Oh, such a long name! Yes, that was his name. People in China used to have such long names in the past. Sam’s ancestors were from a different country; therefore he had a short name.

One day both friends were playing near a well in the garden. All of a sudden Sam fell down the well. Tikki Tikki Tambo No Saribo Hari Kari Bushki Peri Pem Do Hai Kai Nikki No Meeno Dom Barako ran towards his mother and shouted, “Mom, come soon, my friend Sam has fallen down the well.”

“What? Your friend Sam has fallen down the well? Let’s go and tell your father,” Mom panicked and said.

Both ran and approached Dad, “Come soon, Sam has fallen down the well. We should do something.”

“What? Sam has fallen down the well?” Dad asked, alarmed.

All three of them ran towards the gardener.

“Gardener, Sam has fallen down the well. Pull him out,” They shouted.

The gardener quickly brought a ladder and pulled Sam out of the well. Sam was shivering with cold, but they were all pleased that they had managed to save him.

After a few days, both friends were again playing near the well. This time Tikki Tikki Tambo No Saribo Hari Kari Bushki Peri Pem Do Hai Kai Nikki No Meeno Dom Barako fell down the well.

Panicking, Sam ran to his mother and shouted, “Mom, My friend Tikki Tikki Tambo No Saribo Hari Kari Bushki Peri Pem Do Hai Kai Nikki No Meeno Dom Barako has fallen down the well.”

“What? Your friend Tikki Tikki Tambo No Saribo Hari Kari Bushki Peri Pem Do Hai Kai Nikki No Meeno Dom Barako has fallen down the well? Let’s go and inform your father.”

Both ran towards his Dad and shrieked, “Run fast. Do something. Tikki Tikki Tambo No Saribo Hari Kari Bushki Peri Pem Do Hai Kai Nikki No Meeno Dom Barako has fallen down the well.”

“What? Tikki Tikki Tambo No Saribo Hari Kari Bushki Peri Pem Do Hai Kai Nikki No Meeno Dom Barako has fallen in the water?

Run fast, we’ll tell the gardener. He will pull him out with the help of a ladder,” Dad said.

All of them ran towards the gardener.

“Gardener, Tikki Tikki Tambo No Saribo Hari Kari Bushki Peri Pem Do Hai Kai Nikki No Meeno Dom Barako has fallen down the well. Quickly take him out,” they shouted.

“What? Tikki Tikki Tambo No Saribo Hari Kari Bushki Peri Pem Do Hai Kai Nikki No Meeno Dom Barako has fallen down the well?” The gardener ran and brought a ladder.

All of them rushed towards the well to save Tikki Tikki Tambo No Saribo Hari Kari Bushki Peri Pem Do Hai Kai Nikki No Meeno Dom Barako.

Don’t you think so that because of such a long name, it might have taken them more time to reach him?

Yes, this is true but Tikki Tikki Tambo No Saribo Hari Kari Bushki Peri Pem Do Hai Kai Nikki No Meeno Dom Barako was a very brave child.

He didn’t get frightened even after falling in the water. He kept swimming in the water and shouted for help.

The passersby heard him and took him out of the well.

By the time his parents and the gardener reached the spot, he was already out of the well. Thus a big mishap was averted.

This incident was discussed a lot in entire China. After that, short names were kept for children in China.

Tikki Tikki Tambo No Saribo Hari Kari Bushki Peri Pem Do Hai Kai Nikki No Meeno Dom Barako’s parents too realized their mistake and shortened his name to just Tikki.
And yes, since then the practice of calling children with their pet names actually became prevalent.

Tikki Tikki Tambo No Saribo Hari Kari Bushki Peri Pem Do Hai Kai Nikki No Meeno Dom Barako. Memorize this name and tell your friends. Then ask them to repeat it.

This name has appeared in the story 12 times. Read this story with your friends and say this strange name loudly. See who learns this name first. Isn’t it an interesting game?

The Ride

One day Tuffy Elephant’s son Golu went to Chunchun Rat’s house early morning itself and called him out. Chunchun had got up from sleep at that time and came out, rubbing his eyes.

“What is the matter, Brother Golu? Everything is all right?” he asked.

“Yes, everything is fine. I just came to tell you that from today onwards I will ride on you and roam everywhere.”

At first, Chunchun thought that he was still not completely awake, so he might have heard it wrong. But then he understood everything.

Actually, from the past few days, the schools were having summer vacations. Most of the children watched television in their homes. Golu too was fond of watching television. Ever since he had seen the people of cities driving fast cars, he wanted to ride on Chunchun who would run very fast. So he came early morning to Chunchun’s house to tell him about his thoughts.

Chunchun was very small, but he had a very sharp brain. So without getting petrified, he told Golu, “Brother Golu, today I am not well. You come after 3-4 days.”

“All right,” Golu said and left.

Chunchun delayed the problem for 3-4 days, but he knew that Golu will come again and he will have to be prepared beforehand.

Chunchun was wondering on whom to ask for help when he remembered Peelu Monkey. Peelu was his good friend and they would help each other.

He got ready and went to Peelu’s house and told him everything.

After hearing the whole story, Peelu laughed and said, “You don’t worry, Chunchun, I have a solution to this.”

Then Peelu told Chunchun about his plan and they both started working on it. After 3 days of hard work, they were ready to deal with Golu.

When Golu came to Chunchun’s house on the fourth day, he found Chunchun to be very happy. Golu asked, “Chunchun, are you ready?”.

“Yes, of course,” Chunchun said, “I will just come in a minute.”

Then Chunchun went inside the house and came out with something the size of a rat.

“What is this?” Golu asked.

Chunchun said, “Brother Golu, these days I am not keeping good health. That is why I have called my cousin from Sundervan to take you for a ride. Its name is ‘Skate Board’. You climb on it and kick. Then it will take you everywhere.”

Golu liked Chunchun’s idea. He enjoyed the ride on the ‘Skate Board’ so much that he forgot Chunchun.

Chunchun took a breath of relief and went towards Peelu’s house to thank him.

We Won’t Fight

That little garden had something special about it. Various kinds of flowers were always smiling on the branches of plants.

Their fragrance always pervaded the garden. People would be astounded on coming over there. Everyone would lavishly praise the beauty of the flowers.

Queen Honeybee, Beauty Butterfly and Gungun Bumblebee were friends with each other. All three would work together in the garden.

Queen Honeybee would collect nectar from the flowers and make honey.

When Beauty Butterfly would flap her beautiful wings and talk to the flowers, they would start swaying joyfully. Gungun Bumblebee was different than everybody.

When he would sing, the garden’s flowers would forget everything.

One day they all had an argument on who was the best among them. The argument turned into a fight and each started claiming to be the best.

“You both don’t do any work, just roam around. I am better than both of you because I work hard and make delicious honey,” Queen Honeybee said, praising herself.

“So what if you make honey? You only eat it. Have you ever given us honey to eat? Selfish bee,” Beauty Butterfly said angrily to Queen.

“In my opinion, I am better than both of you. Neither do I sting like Queen nor do I become discoloured like Beauty even when she is gently touched,” Gungun opined, “I am the best.”

“Leave it, leave it. Your heart is as dark as your colour. You just act as if you are singing. In reality, you are jealous of our beauty and spread negativity about us,” Queen and Beauty both scolded Gungun.

The fight increased and reached a point where they were ready to beat each other. When the breeze saw this, it felt very sad. Seeing the situation, it turned into a gust of wind and flew all of them in different directions.

The wisdom of breeze stopped the fight that day but their attitude didn’t change.

Next day they were fighting again. The king of flowers Rose was hearing them intently.

“Friend, you decide who is the best amongst us. We will go by your decision,” they went to Rose and said.

Rose was very intelligent. He had sensed that they were in anger, so explaining anything to them would be a waste.

“You all come tomorrow. You will get an answer to your question,” Rose asked them to wait for a day.

They returned back on hearing Rose. As time passed, their anger reduced. They were eagerly waiting for the next morning.

When they reached the garden the next day, the sight of the place made them astonished.

Not even one flower had blossomed. The garden was looking appalling without the flowers blooming.

The flowers didn’t blossom even when it was evening. Without the flowers, how could Queen collect nectar for making honey? She became very sad.

Where would Beauty linger if not on flowers? She too began crying.

Gungun forgot singing and went and sat on a branch dejectedly. They all realized their mistake. They requested the flowers to blossom.

“Now you must have got your answer,” Rose told them.

“Friend, forgive us. You answered our question without saying anything. How incomplete we are without the flowers, we know this truth now,” All three of them said.

“Everyone has importance in this world. So thinking about being big or small or best is foolishness. You all are the best,” As soon as Rose said this, all the flowers of the garden bloomed together.

The garden was looking picturesque again. Queen, Beauty and Gungun’s happiness knew no bounds.

They promised Rose that they won’t fight ever again. Together they would increase the splendour of the garden.

Rose smiled at their assurance. It congratulated them for showing sensibility and wisdom.

THE SECRET OF THE STONE

Today all friends had come to Meet’s house. All four were playing carrom. Then Aneesha told Aryan, “Let us leave now, Brother, it’s already 7 O’clock. Mother must be waiting for us.”

“All right. Okay Meet, we will meet in school tomorrow. Goodbye,” Aryan said. All of them had come on their bicycle, so they were returning alone.

Aryan’s bicycle got punctured midway.

‘Oh, such bad luck! I won’t even find anybody to repair the cycle here,’ Aryan thought. Meet’s house was at the outskirts of the city. Aryan returned back to his house and walked back towards his own house after keeping the bicycle there.

He was going through the deserted highway right then he spotted a beggar. He was digging in front of a milestone at the roadside. He put a small blue coloured packet in the pit and filled it up.

Aryan was watching all this hiding behind the bushes. After finishing his work the beggar walked towards the city acting like a blind man with the help of his stick.

Aryan thought, ‘What was that thing which the beggar put inside the pit? Let me check.’ Aryan dug again and took out the packet. When he opened it, his eyes widened. It had many bunches of thousand rupee notes.

“So much money? The currency is real. But how did that poor beggar get so much money? Something is definitely fishy,’ Aryan thought.

Aryan put the packet back in the pit and rushed to Meet. Meet was surprised to see him returning back again.

“What happened? Don’t you want to return home today? What’s the matter now? Were you pricked by a thorn in your feet?”.

“No, come with me immediately. I have to show you something.”

Meet understood that it must be something urgent. He came with Aryan. On the way, Aryan told him the whole story.

Both were going towards the same pit when they saw a blue car coming towards that milestone. Aryan and Meet hid behind the bushes. One man got down from the car.

He dug out that blue packet quickly and replaced it with a green packet. He took the blue packet and the car swiftly went away.

Aryan and Meet came out from their hiding. They took out the green packet and opened it, “What is this thing like a white powder?”

“This is brown sugar. I have smelt it before too. These small packets have intoxicant materials worth lakhs of rupees. Now I can understand what’s going on,” Aryan said.

“Tell me too,” Meet wanted to know.

“It seems that beggar and his boss deal in drugs.”

“That beggar keeps money here and in turn, drugs worth that money is put back which is taken later. What a unique way!”.

“Inspector Sharma uncle too was telling a few days before that the business of drugs is flourishing in the city,” Aryan said.

“What will you do now?”

“That beggar will come back again to take the green packet. He comes walking, so we can easily follow him.”

Both of them kept back the packet and waited for the beggar.

Aryan was right as usual. After 15 minutes the beggar came back walking with the help of his stick.

He checked around. Finding nobody there, he took out the packet. Putting it in his raggedy bag, he again began acting like a blind man and moved towards the city.

But this time 2 detectives were behind him. Very soon he reached the bungalow of a rich businessman Lalchand. He knocked the door and went inside.

Aryan told Meet, “It seems he comes here daily. That means Lalchand is the man who runs the racket of drugs in our city. This beggar works for him.”

They informed Sharma uncle. Inspector Sharma raided Lalchand’s bungalow and seized drugs worth lakhs of rupees. Lalchand and all his aides were arrested.

Aryan’s astuteness busted the drug racket going on in the city.

USELESS PEELU

Acute deer lived in Sudervan. His name was Peelu. He was disinterested in studying. Peelu’s parents wanted him to study and do something good. A new school had commenced in Sundervan. Peelu’s parents got his admission done in that school.

Peelu tried to study a lot, but he couldn’t concentrate on his studies. His parents got very upset with him on this issue. They kept him out of the house for a whole day without food and water. And keep scolding him. After that Peelu promised to study hard, but this couldn’t happen. He failed his exams.

Chinky Rabbit was Peelu’s neighbour. She was Peelu’s classmate and would always come first in the class. Chinky’s parents had organized a party to celebrate her success. Peelu and his parents were also invited to the party. Everyone asked about Peelu’s result. Peelu’s parents informed everyone with a heavy heart that Peelu had failed.

Peelu felt very bad. He couldn’t raise his eyes out of shame. He sadly came back home. He started feeling that he is useless. He can never pass, and can never do anything well.

The school started again after the summer break. Whatever his teacher would teach, Peelu couldn’t understand. He stopped talking to his friends because they used to make fun of him.

He would sit for studying out of fear for his parents, but he couldn’t concentrate. When the result for the exams was declared, he had again failed.

He didn’t go home as he was scared about what he would tell his parents. He was roaming in the jungle. Suddenly he heard some voices near the bushes. He hid behind the bushes and started listening. A wild boar and a jackal were talking.

The jackal told the boar, “See, we have laid a very nice trap. Sher Singh comes here for a walk daily. He will definitely get trapped in the net. Our king Krur Singh will be so happy on hearing this news. He will reward us for catching Sundervan’s King Sher Singh.”

Peelu was taken aback on hearing this. Sher Singh was going to come there soon. He thought that he had to save his king’s life. Without any delay, he started to find Sher Singh. He had just gone a little further when he found Sher Singh on the way. He told him everything.

Sher Singh went to that spot with Peelu. He threw a big stone in the net which then got trapped in it.

Sher Singh invited all the animals of Sundervan for tea in the evening. He welcomed everyone and said, “Friends, I have given this party in the honour of Peelu. He saved my life today.” Then he narrated the entire story.

He called Peelu’s parents too on the stage and gave Peelu a bag full of chocolates. Peelu’s parents were overjoyed. In front of everyone, they asked Peelu to forgive them for scolding him.

Peelu realized that he had fulfilled his duty. He was feeling happy at the contentment of his parents. He had developed confidence in him too.

He had developed confidence in him too.

His parents too stopped nagging him all the time for studying.

Peelu decided that he will study with complete devotion and come first in the class. After that, when Peelu opened his books and began studying, he could understand the concepts.

He started liking books. He was surprised that why hadn’t he read the books with interest before.

When the exams came near, he started studying harder. When the results were declared, he was astounded. He had come first in the class. His teacher and friends applauded his efforts. Even his parents were very happy now.

Swan

Pijju Pigeon along with his wife Pijji was noticing a pair of swans coming to the river daily. They really liked the white colour of the swans.

One day Pijju went to the pair of swans and said, “Brother Swan, will you be our friend? We like your white colour very much.”

The swan turned towards him and smiled, “Even your colour is white.”

From that day onwards both pairs became friends. Whenever they would meet at the banks of Champa River, they would communicate a lot.

Pijju would question Mikku Swan a lot and Mikku would answer him patiently.

One day Pijju asked, “What attributes should a good friend have?”

Mikku said, “Helping each other in times of need. Trusting each other. Suggesting the right thing and the other should follow it. These are the signs of true friendship.”

Pijju’s next question was, “How can one know about the traits of a friend?”

“First get to know each other, then test your friend. Such friendship never breaks up.

“I want to say something. I don’t like one thing about you.”

Pijju was startled, “What’s that?”

“Why are you so timid? Mausi takes advantage of your cowardice. As soon as you see her, you close your eyes thinking that closing your eyes won’t let her see too. A coward dies before dying.”

Pijju asked, “What should I do?”

“Fight her. Destiny too favours the brave.”

“How?”

“Use your brain.”

Pijju started thinking, ‘Mikku is right. Why should I accept defeat before fighting?’

Pijju had made a nest in the verandah of Shelly’s house.

Pijji laid 2 eggs in it. Pijju and Pijji would dirty the verandah quite a lot.

Shelly got angry at that. She broke the nest and threw it on the road. Pijji began crying seeing the eggs on the road.

Pijju saw a man coming on a cycle. The eggs were about to come under his tyres when Pijju flew and sat on his handle. The cycle turned in other direction in a flurry and the eggs were saved.

Pijju saw a small pit nearby. He put the eggs with his beak in the pit and covered them with dry grass.

The eggs hatched after 2 days and the chicks came out. The danger had been averted.

When Mikku heard, he told Pijju, “You have made me proud. I am very happy.”

After a few days Pijji was happily eating grains in the garden.

Pijju was sitting on the terrace. He saw Mausi coming near. Pijji’s back was towards her. He started thinking, ‘How to save Pijji?’

Sometime before the gardener had cleared out the thorny bushes and thrown them on the terrace.

Pijju quickly threw those bushes in Mausi’s way. The thorns started pricking her. She cried in pain and ran away from there.

When Mikku heard all this, he was elated.

Many animals and birds of Champakvan too gathered there. Patting Pijju, Mikku said, “Your wisdom and bravery saved the lives of your chicks as well as Pijji.

Those who get scared during tough times can never stand up. I am proud of our friendship.”

“Yes friend, you have made me brave,” Pijju said with pride.

All of them burst into laughter.

The Fear of Water

All the 7 tiny yellow-coloured chicks were looking very cute with Tina Duck. “Today I will teach you to swim in a pond,” One day Tina told them.

All of them reached the pond side. Tina taught everyone how to waddle in the water and told them to descend in the pond behind her.

Tina went down in water. 5 chicks too went with her, but Nikku and Tikku did not go with them.

Tina called them many times, but they started crying, “The water will be cold, we will drown.”

Tina said, “The membrane which we have in our feet serves as a paddle, nothing will happen to you.” But both of them didn’t listen to her.

The 5 chicks that had been in water were very fresh whereas Nikku and Tikku were feeling sluggish.

They both were surprised thinking that why their siblings were not feeling cold even when the weather was chilly.

Even after many days, Tina hadn’t succeeded in making Nikku and Tikku swim in water. That day too Tina was swimming with her 5 chicks while Nikku and Tikku were watching them standing at the bank.

Suddenly 3 big goats with their horns bent, came running towards them and said, “We will eat you all.” Even their voice was very frightening.

Both the chicks got terrified and ran calling ‘Mom…mom…’ to save themselves. They were surrounded by the goats from 3 directions. So they jumped in the water out of pressure.

They started waddling as their mom had taught them. They were feeling amazed that they were neither feeling cold nor were they drowning.

In fact, they enjoyed their stint in water. They swam for a long time. After coming out they were feeling very refreshed.

“Mom, why didn’t we get wet?” They asked Tina.

“There is a gland under the tail of ducks which secretes oil. It has a particular odour too which can tell anybody about our whereabouts.

That oil spreads on our wings and that is why we don’t get wet or feel cold. You are very young. Your body doesn’t secrete that oil, so I had put mine on your body. The oil is light floats on water and doesn’t let us drown.”

“Really? That is why we could swim so easily. We enjoyed so much. Mom, it was good that the goats came and frightened by them, we got down in the water. Now we will swim daily.”

“All of them are my friends. I had told them to scare you so that you would come into the water,” Mom said smilingly.

All the three goats laughed and came out from behind the nearby bushes. Tina thanked them and said, “My chicks aren’t scared of water anymore because of you all.”

“What is there to thank? Everyone should help each other, but where were you from so many days? We were searching for you from so many days.”

“I was in the bushes, incubating the eggs. So I didn’t come out,” Tina told them.

“But we couldn’t smell your scent?”

“Yes, nature has made this arrangement to protect us. While we are incubating, our glands stop secreting oil and hence the scent stops. Our enemies don’t come to know where we are and we are able to nurture our eggs without any worry.”

“Wow…that is great. Bring your chicks to our home someday. It’s been long since we all have eaten together.”

Saying so, the goats went away.

The chicks too walked towards their home behind their mom.

Jerry and Ginger

Jerry, the mouse had troubled Ginger, the cat again. Ginger was upset and sitting under a tree.

Seeing her sad, Coco, the parrot asked, “What happened, Ginger?”

“Nothing, I am just tired,” she replied.

“Looks like Jerry troubled you again today,” said Coco.

“Don’t take his name. He is so naughty. One day I will break his bone,” said Ginger angrily.

“For that, you will have to catch him first,” laughed Coco.

“You are making fun of me,” said Ginger, feeling more upset.

“Nothing like that Ginger. I was joking so that your mood becomes better,” Coco explained.

“I don’t know why he troubles me so much,” said a tired Ginger.

Just then Melody, the nightingale, joined them.

“In whose thoughts are you lost Ginger?” asked Melody.

“Why do you want to know?” said Ginger, irritated.

“Tell me. You may feel better,” said Melody

“She is disturbed because of Jerry, the mouse,” said Coco.

“What about Jerry?” asked Melody.

“Nothing about him. But he has been troubling Ginger a lot,” Coco explained. “I have heard of mice being troubled by cats but here it is opposite,” said Melody.

“Can you think of a solution Melody?” Ginger asked.

“I can make you meet someone who may be of help to you,” said Melody.

“Who is that and why will they help me?” asked Ginger, curiously.

“Gogi, the squirrel, can help you,” said Melody.

“Why would she help me?” asked Ginger.

“She had told me Jerry keeps troubling her also. If you want, you can talk to her,” said Melody.

“Will you introduce me to her?”Ginger requested.

“Ok, come with me. I will introduce you to her,” said Melody as she flew to Gogi’s place.

Gogi was wandering around. Melody called out to her, “Gogi, come here. I want you to meet a friend of mine. Remember, you once told me how Jerry, the mouse, troubles you? My friend Ginger is also very troubled by him,” said Melody.

She then introduced Gogi to Ginger and told the entire matter. Ginger and Gogi started talking to each other.

Ginger asked Gogi, “How did Jerry trouble you?”

“Jerry would forcefully take away the food which I collected and kept,” said Gogi.

“And you could not stop him?” asked Ginger.

“Jerry would not listen. He would say he is stronger and just snatch my food. I am very angry with him,” said Gogi sadly.

“If you help me, I will teach him a lesson,” said Ginger.

“How can I help you?” asked Gogi.

“You will have to constantly keep an eye on him. I will then be able to catch him, know where he is,” said Ginger.

“Ok. I will start today itself,” said Gogi and left. Gogi was looking for food and did not see Jerry the whole day. In the evening, she saw him near a bush.

Gogi went there and seeing her, Jerry asked, “How are you Gogi?” Usually, Gogi would not answer, but today she replied, “I am very good. What are you doing here at this time?”

“I came for a walk and saw you. You are late in getting back home today,” said Jerry.

“I am just going back,” said Gogi.

Jerry started laughing “You look very happy,” said Gogi.

“Nothing, I remembered something,” Jerry said and left.

Gogi suspected that Jerry was laughing on her.
“Does he know I am spying on him?” Gogi thought to herself.

For a week, Gogi and Jerry met at the same spot. Gogi had told this to Ginger.

Ginger planned to catch him there, like every day, Jerry was out for a walk. Ginger sat hiding behind a tree. As planned, Gogi engaged Jerry in her talks.

While he was listening carefully to her, Jerry sat on a thin dried branch. Ginger thought it would be the right time to attack Jerry. She did not look around and jumped on him with all her might.

But Jerry was too quick for her and jumped away from the branch when he saw Ginger leap. The branch bent under Ginger’s weight.

As Ginger tried to move up, the branch sprang back and hit her on the face. She was hurt. Her nose swelled up. Jerry had escaped once again.

Gogi came by and was surprised to see Ginger’s swollen nose. “What happened Ginger?” asked Gogi.

“That naughty rat fooled me. You were a spying on him for so many days, didn’t you see that he was planning to trick me?”

“I really didn’t know. He did not do it in front of me,” said Gogi.

“He knew about you spying and you did not!” said Ginger.

“You are right,” said Gogi and left. She had understood the secret behind Jerry’s laughter that day.

Gogi broke her friendship with Ginger forever. Jerry had the last laugh on both of them.

Sally and Dally

Sally and Dally, the birds, were good friends. They lived on the same tree and always played together but their personalities were different. While Sally believed in hard work, Dally constantly put off doing any work.

One night, the tree on which they lived, got uprooted in a storm. Luckily, both of them managed to escape unharmed.

“The weather is getting worse. We must start building our new houses first thing in the morning,” said Sally.

“You’re right, Sally,” agreed Dally. “Let’s build our houses together.”

In the morning, Sally did not waste any time. She went in search of a strong tree and found one a short distance away.

“Wake up, Dally! I’ve found a strong tree. Let’s start building our houses,” said Sally.

Dally woke up and stretched. She looked around and said, “Oh, it’s still early in the morning. We have the whole day ahead of us. You go ahead and start building your house. Let me sleep some more and join you later,” said Dally and went back to sleep.

Sally went ahead and started work on her new house. She took the help of Harry, the parrot, who was a carpenter. By afternoon, her hard work paid off and her new house was almost ready.

Sally was so engrossed in her work that she forgot all about Dally. It was afternoon when she finally remembered to wake Dally up.

“Wake up, Dally. It’s afternoon!” she said.

When Dally woke up, she looked around and said, “It’s just afternoon! Let me sleep for half an hour more, and then I’ll wake up and quickly build my house.” She went back to sleep again.

Sally continued working on her house. She fixed the doors and windows, painted the house, and bought new furniture. By evening, her house was ready.

When Dally finally woke up, she noticed the rays of the setting sun and quickly jumped up. By the time she finished collecting logs and began looking for a carpenter, it became dark.

“I don’t work after dark, Dally. If you had come during the day, I would have built your house,” said Harry, the parrot.

Dally then looked for other carpenters. But owing to the darkness and the bad weather, no one was ready to work.

She returned to the tree exhausted. By then, the weather had worsened and it started raining heavily.

Dally perched on a branch and wondered what to do. She saw a beautiful house on another branch and became thoughtful.

“If I hadn’t wasted the day, by now I could have built a house like that one,” Dally said to herself. She regretted being lazy. But now, she could do nothing but get wet in the rain.

Suddenly a familiar voice called out to her.

“Hey, Dally! What are you doing there? Come inside…”

It was Sally. She was calling out to her from inside that beautiful house. Dally sighed in relief and flew into Sally’s house.

“Where were you?” Sally asked worried. “I looked for you everywhere but I couldn’tfind you. I was about to shut my window and go to bed when I happened to notice you.”

Dally was now on the verge of crying. “I’m sorry, Sally. Both of us started this day together. But you worked hard and built this lovely house while I just wasted it away by being lazy.”

“It’s okay, Dally. I’m just glad that you are safe,” said Sally.

She served Dally a warm cup of milk and asked her to get some rest. Early next morning, Sally was surprised to see Dally get ready.

“Dally, where are you going so early in the morning?” asked Sally.

“To build my house!” said Dally, smiling. Sally was happy to see the transformation in her friend.

SEO Keywords: bedtime stories