THE MONKEY AND THE CAP SELLER

Once a Cap-seller was going to sell his caps in a village market. He was going through a forest. He was carrying a basket of red caps on his head. He got tired in the heat of the sun and thought of lying down under a tree for some time. He put his basket on the ground.

The cap-seller took a small nap. There were monkeys on that tree. They came down and one by one took all the caps from the cap seller's basket. Then they climbed on the tree. When the cap-seller woke up, he was shocked to see his basket empty. He searched for his caps everywhere to his surprise, he saw the monkeys were wearing them. He found that the monkeys were imitating him. So, he started throwing his cap down and the monkeys did so. 

The cap-seller collected all the caps, put them back in his basket and went away happily.

So, we should deal with cleverness in such situations, because wisdom helps during difficult times.

THE SHEPHERD BOY AND THE WOLF

Once upon a time, there lived a Shepherd boy. Who took care of the sheep in the village. He was very dedicated to his work. Every day he used to take the heard of sheep to the top of the hill and bring them down by evening. But one day he felt really bored. All the villagers work together but here the boy was alone taking care of the sheep and no one else to talk to him. Suddenly he had an idea. A wicked one. 

He went over the edge of the hill and started shouting Help! Help! there is the wolf. He is gonna eat all our sheep. Help! Hearing the boy cry out for help. All the villagers came to the top of the hill to save the sheep. But reaching there all they could see were calm sheep grazing the grassland.

Villagers: You silly boy! where is the wolf? Why did you cry out for help?

The villagers were very angry and left the place cursing the shepherd boy.

Shepherd boy: ha ha ha......! This was so much fun!

Next day, the shepherd boy was back again to the routine of taking the sheep for grazing. And yet again he found himself completely bored.

The boy again went to the hilltop and started shouting Help! Help! There is a wolf. He is gonna eat all our sheep. Please help.

Once again the villagers after hearing the boy cry out for help ran to save sheep. But once again came back after being fooled by the boy. This is not right! you would have to pay for this one day!

With no regrets on his face, the shepherd boy went back to his sheep. One day when he was lying under the tree While his sheep were grazing he saw some sheep running here and there. After looking closely he saw a wolf approaching the heard. The boy suddenly ran to the edge of the hill and started screaming for help.

Help! Help! There is a wolf for real this time. He is gonna eat all our sheep. Help! Please help.

This time, the villagers did not pay any heed to the boy's screaming. 
Let's leave him, this time to he might be playing a prank on us. The boy kept on crying for help but no one turned up this time. All he could do was stand there and watch his sheep getting killed by the wolf.

Shepherd boy: Oh! I should have not played that prank with the villagers. Nobody believed me when the wolf actually turned up. What should I do now? I have lost all my sheep. 

The Shepherd-boy was never trusted ever by anyone.

Moral: Liars are not believed even when they speak the truth.

THE LITTLE MERMAID

Once upon a time there was a sea kingdom at the bottom of the sea. The king of the seas had six beautiful daughters who were mermaids. They were all very beautiful. But the youngest of them was the prettiest of them all. She had a gentle face, big round eyes and a voice sweeter than anyone else's in the world. When the little mermaid turned fifteen years old her grandmother called her to her room and said my dear, today you have turned fifteen. And from now on wards, you can go to the world above. Just remember the people above are very different from us. They do not have a beautiful fishtail like us, instead they have two legs. And mermaid told thank you grandma. I have waited for this day for so long.

when I return, I will tell you about everything I see above. That night the little mermaid went to the surface of the water. The sight of the stars and the cool breeze that touched her face, took her breath away. She was just getting used to the feeling when she saw a big ship cross in front of her. A board it were many men and they were celebrating the birthday of the young prince who had just turned sixteen.

The little mermaid was mesmerized with the handsome looks of the prince. She couldn't take her eyes off him as the ship sailed past her. She was so lost in him that she didn't notice the storm build up in the sky and the sea begin to range. The ship had only sailed a little further when the storm shook it up. The sailors tried to steer it to safety but many men including the prince fell into the water. The little mermaid rushed to him and saved him from drowning. She took him ashore. But the prince lay unconscious.

The mermaid decided to get help. When she couldn't get any, she came back to where the prince was. She saw him surrounded by many people. A beautiful princess was kneeling by him as others worked to awaken him. The prince opened his eyes and the little mermaid was relived that her prince will be saved now. The prince to saw a beautiful princess and told you save my life, thank you. The prince knew nothing about the little mermaid. 

He did not even know that it was she who had actually saved his life. This broke the mermaid's heart. She went back to her father's home. She told her sisters and grandma, What had happened. And Grandma said forget him child. Humans and we are very different. To be with him forever you will have to get him to love you more than anything else he loves in the world. Even more than his own parents. How will that ever happen? Think about it.

But the little mermaid could not forget the handsome prince. Every night she visited the spot where she had laid him after saving his life. One day she decided to visit the Witch in her father's kingdom. May be she knew a way that the mermaid could be with the Prince.

Witch: Yes, there is a way! I can send you to the land above the sea. You will lose your fishtail and have legs. If, by the second sunset. You can get the prince to love you more than he loves his parents then you can be with him forever. Otherwise you will die and become foam in the sea. But, in return you must give me your voice.

The little mermaid said but, without my voice how will I make the prince fall in love with me? 

You still have your pretty face and eyes. You will also be the most beautiful dancer any one has ever seen. Now go! said the Witch.

In a flash, the mermaid found herself on the land. Her fishtail turned into human legs. It caused her pain but she couldn't even scream because the witch had taken her voice away. Some how the mermaid made her way to the prince's castle. There was a big celebration going on there. But the guards would not let the mermaid enter because they didn't know who she was and she couldn't answer them when they asked her about it. So she was not allowed to enter. Some where in the castle, music started playing.

Remembering what the witch had said about dancing little mermaid started dancing.

Guardsmen: Oh! I have never seen anyone dance so beautifully. May be she has come to dance for the Royal family in the celebrations. Oh! she is a dancer, let me take her to the court.

Once the mermaid reached the Royal court. She saw that the celebration was for the wedding of the prince. Little mermaid was heart broken, She thought the only way of meeting the prince, now would be to dance and draw his attention towards her. And so, she performed a beautiful dance for the Royal family. When the Prince saw her, he came up to her.

Prince: Hello young lady, I have seen you in my dreams. Who are you?

In his heart, the prince hoped that she would be the one who had saved him from drowning. He longed to hear the voice that had saved him when he was dying. But, no sound came out when the little mermaid tried to reply.

Prince: Forgive me. I think I am confused between you and someone else. But, please do join us.

The prince led her to the ship which the wedding was going to take place. Many people spoke to her but she could not answer anyone. The princess was especially kind to her and took special care of her.

Princess: I know you saved the prince that day. Thank you, because of you, I have found the love of my life. Please always stay with us.

The little mermaid saw that the princess and the prince loved each other and were very happy together. She decided not to pursue the prince anymore he belonged to another woman. Although her heart ached to let him go. She happily attended the wedding and all the celebrations that went on throughout the next day. Soon it was evening, the second sunset was about to happen. The little mermaid knew, she would die and become foam on the sea. 

As she stood there looking at the prince and his princess. She heard some voices behind her. She turned around to see. Her sisters and father were there in the water. But all of them had very short hair now instead of the long flowing locks they used to have earlier. 

Mermaid: Father and sisters! what are you doing here?

Father: We have come to save you! We went to the Witch. In exchange of our hair she gave us this knife. If you stab the prince through his heart before sunset, you can be saved.

Handing the knife to the youngest sister all the other sisters vanished under the water once again. The little mermaid stood there, holding the knife to her heart she looked at the newlyweds once again. She knew what she had to do. As the sunset, she tossed the knife into the sea Good bye, My love. And so, for the happiness of her beloved prince the little mermaid sacrificed her own life and joined the sea as foam.

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

Once upon a time, there was once a little girl who lived in a village near the forest. Whenever she went out, the little girl wore a Red Riding cloak, so every body in the village referred to as her Little Red Riding Hood. One morning, Little Red Riding Hood requested her mother if she could go to visit her grandmother as it had been awhile given that they'd considered each other.

That's a precise idea, her mother said. So they packed a fine basket for Little Red Riding Hood to take to her grandmother. When the basket was ready, the little girl put on her red cloak and kissed her mother goodbye. "Remember, go straight to Grandmother's house," her mom cautioned. "Don't dawdle along the way and please do not talk to strangers! The woods are dangerous."

"Don't worry, mummy," stated Little Red Riding Hood, I'll be careful. But when little red riding hood observed some lovely flowers in the woods, she forgets her promise to her mother. She picked a few, watched the butterflies flit about for awhile, listened to the frogs croaking and then picked a few more.

Little Red Riding Hood was enjoying the warm summer day so much, that she did not examine a dark shadow drawing close to out of the forest in the again of her..... Suddenly, the Wolf seemed beside her.

"What are you doing out here, little girl?" the wolf asked in a voice as quality as he should muster. I'm on my way to see my grandma who lives in the forest, shut to the brook, Little Red Riding Hood replied. Then she realized how late she used to be and unexpectedly excused herself, speeding down the course to her Grandma's house.

The Wolf, in the meantime, took a shortcut.... the wolf, a little out of breath from running, arrived at Grandma's and knocked gently at the door. "Oh thank goodness dear! come in, come in! I used to be once involved ailing that some thing had passed off to you in the forest," stated Grandma questioning that the knock was once her granddaughter. The wolf let himself in. Poor Granny did no longer have time to say any other phrase before the wolf gobbled her up!

The Wolf let out a blissful burp and then pocked via Granny's dresser to come across a night gown that he liked. He delivered a frilly sound asleep cap and for the correct measure, dabbed some of Granny's heady scent in the again of his pointy ears.

A few minutes later, Red Riding Hood knocked on the door. The wolf jumped into the mattress and pulled the covers over his nose. Who is it? he called in a crackly voice.
"It's me, Little Red Riding Hood."
"Oh, how lovely! Do come in, my dear", croaked the wolf.
When little girl entered the little cottage, she should scarcely recognize her Grandmother.
Grandmother! your voice sounds so odd. Is something the matter? she asked.
Oh, I just have the touch of a cold, squeaked the wolf including a cough at the end to prove the point.
But Grandmother! what massive ears you have, said the little girl as she edged closer to the bed.
The better to hear you with, my dear, answered the wolf.
But Grandmother! what big eyes you have, said little girl.
The better to see you with, my dear, replied the wolf.
But Grandmother! what big teeth you have, said little red riding hood her voice quivering slightly.
The better to eat you with, my dear, roared the wolf and him leapt out of the bed and began to chase the little girl.

Almost too late, little girl realized that the person in the mattress was once now not her grandmother, however a hungry wolf, she ran across the room and through the door, shouting, Help! wolf! as loudly as she could. A woodsman who used to be chopping logs nearby heard her cry and ran towards the cottage as fast as he could.

He grabbed the wolf and made him spit out poor grandmother who was a bit frazzled with the aid of the entire experience, but still in one piece. Oh, grandma, I was so scared! sobbed little red riding hood, I'll by no means communicate to strangers or dawdle in the forest again. There, child. You've learned an important lesson. Thank goodness you shouted loud adequate for this kind woodsman to hear you!

The woodsman knocked out the wolf and carried him deep into the forest where he would not bother people any longer. Little Red Riding Hood and her Grandmother had a pleasant lunch and a long chat.

THE WOLF AND THE SEVEN LITTLE GOATS

Once upon a time lived a mother goat and her seven little kids. Theirs was happy little home. All the seven little kids used to play in the meadow into the wild, with the butterflies and birds singing along their days used to go in complete harmony and bliss. Until one day a Big black wolf noticed these little kids playing in the meadow.

The wolf thought such an easy treat they are for me! I haven't eaten since ages. I am sure these would make delicious lamb chops for my dinner tonight. He waited for the moment when the mother goat would leave her kids alone. Patiently hiding in the bushes.

Mamma goat: Children! I am going to the market to buy bread and cookies for you. I'll be back by evening, just make sure you remain conscious of this Big bad wolf.

Kid Lamb: But, mummy how would we know if it's not you?

Mamma Goat: The wretched wolf can easily be recognized with his hoarse voice and black feet. Don't open the door or else you little ones would get into danger.

Kids: Don't worry mummy! we would take care of ourselves.

The mom goat went off to the market and the kids made doubly sure with the locks on the door. After making sure that they are safe in their little home off they went to play when suddenly there was a knock on the door. Hello, my children! open the door, your mother is back. Hearing the voice, the youngest one scampered to the door.Mummy!mummy! she is back. In no time the eldest one ran to catch his little sibling. No, it's not our mummy. She hasn't got such a rough voice.

And then looking at the door the eldest kid shouted back saying.Go away you big bad wolf our mother doesn't have such a hoarse voice! Hearing this the wolf got irritated and ran to get a box of chalk as he had heard that this would make his voice as smooth as that of a baby but kids, you shouldn't do this at any cost as this would only make your tummy ache badly so off he went and gulped off the whole box of chalk. Knocking on the door again he said hello kids your mother is back! Look what I have got for you cookies, bread and ginger ale.

Hearing the voice, the youngest one scampered to the door and said Oh! that sounds like our mother.Should we open the door now?
the eldest one told but look down there our mother has not got black feet. This is surely the wolf. Go away you big bad wolf. Our mother has not got black feet but beautiful white feet.

Hearing this the wolf ran to the miller and jumped into the mountain of white dough. He used to be all white from head to toe. Running back to the house. He knocked again and said, kids! your mother is back, open the door! The younger one said that sound like our mother and also the feet are white we should open the door now. Not knowing what danger awaits them all the kids ran to the door and opened it but, just to see who was standing there the big bad wolf gave a loud laugh and brushed off his white powder and said.

Hello, kids! Are you ready to become my feast tonight? The kids ran here and there to save their lives. One went inside the kettle, the other in the oven. One seemed for a place underneath the bed and the different tried saving itself by using hiding in a pot.The youngest one was so tiny that he managed to hide inside the clock case. The wolf, having no mercy started taking them out from their hidings one by one he rolled them in a ball and gulped them up. In no time he ate all the kids except for the youngest one who was hiding in the clock case with his tummy full, he burped and left the home.

When the mother returned, she was shocked to see the door open and waited for the biggest nightmare that might have come true. The house was all upside down the crockery was broken the curtains were torn the chair was broken and the kids were now here to be found. She cried for them children! oh, children where are you? At that very moment, the youngest one came out of the clock case and hugged his mom crying and howling.
Oh, mother! the bad wolf disguised us by sounding and looking like you. He ate up all my brothers and sisters. What will we do now? Mamma said, Don't worry! let's go and look for him.They went out searching for the wolf.His tummy was so filled that he slept off in a meadow near the house itself. His snores were so loud that even the branches of the tree were shuddering. The mother goat very quietly went near him and asked her youngest kid to get scissors and thread and a needle. Off he went to get them.The mother goat very quietly slits open his tummy and took out all her kids from his tummy.

They then stuffed up his tummy with stones as big as balls and then she stitched the tummy with the thread and the needle. The wolf had such a large feast for so long and he slept all night. In the morning when he got up he was thirsty to the point that he took a stab at hurrying to the well. But his belly was so heavy that he should hardly walk. He picked up his stomach and managed to reach the well. But the moment he bent down to drink water he could not handle the weight and fell into the well. 

The kids had been looking at all of this from their window and shouted happily! The wolf has died! Now we can play freely backyard barring any fear. And they lived happily ever after.

Mongoose and Pandit's Wife

Once upon a time, a Pandit found a baby Mongoose. Its mother was dead so he lifted it in hi hands and said poor kid, I shall look after you. And the Pandit took him home. He had a small baby of his own. He told his wife. Darling, take this mongoose baby. Its mother was dead.So I brought it with me from now on wards we shall call it Manaka. His wife told that's all right but it's a wild animal and we have a small baby at home. So we can't keep it with us.

He told to look at this innocent creature.How lovingly he is admiring you.Take it as your child. Love begets love.

Wife: Fine, as you please, but won't it harm the baby?

Pandit: No, no at all

Wife: Then it's fine with me.I shall look after it as my own baby.

Manaku started growing up with their baby and soon was big and its teeth were sharp. But, he loved to play with the little toddler.

Wife: Listen, I am going to fetch water from the river take care of the baby.

Pandit: Yes, My dear.He is playing with Manaku. So worrying unnecessarily?

Wife: I know that, but why don't you understand.It's a wild animal

Pandit: Don't worry, nothing will happen you go, I shall take care

Wife: Oh! why don't you understand? Manaku has very sharp teeth now. We have to be very careful

Pandit: I told you Manaku will never harm its brother.

The lady went to fetch water and Pandit went to perform pooja at a neighbour's house. A snake entered the house and started approaching the toddler. Manaku fought with the snake and killed it and as he came out of the house to show his bravery. The Pandit's wife who was returning saw with blood in his mouth and she screamed 

Wife: Oh! you wild animal what have you done? you thankless creature. You killed your own brother you don't deserve to live and she hit Manaku with the bucket full of water. She uttered to herself Oh God! My baby!......Why did I leave my baby with this mongoose? Why did I agree to look after this wild animal?

When she entered her house she was stunned, to find the baby merrily playing and there beside him was a dead, bleeding snake. She then realized what had actually happened and felt very sorry. That she had thought that manaku had harmed her baby. She started crying bitterly.

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING

This is a very old story. It is from the year 1620. When a group of Pilgrims came from Europe in a ship referred to as the Mayflower to the East coast of United States. They have reached this new land and they shall make it their home let them the name is Plymouth and this huge rock by using which Plymouth is recognized will be known as the Plymouth Rock. They shall make a settlement there.

And so the Pilgrims got busy trying to make a settlement in their new home. But, they had arrived in the peak of winter with little sources and no food.

One of Pilgrim said, Oh! this is such a difficult winter. We have almost no food. The guys go and catch whatever fish they can find in the freezing lakes but it is now not usually enough.
The man's spouse said, Yes, and a sickness has taken over our people. We have misplaced so many strong guys and women already. It is very hard except acceptable meals and substances to take care of them.

The man said, Yes, look at what happened to our brother James Chilton and his wife. They've both died, leaving at the back of little Mary Chilton. And his wife said, poor Mary, she is only 13 years old. But except her mother and father to take care of her. We will have to make sure she is safe.

And so Mary was taken under the care of all the other Pilgrims. But it was a hard sickness. And people died from extreme cold, lack of food and the sickness that had come over their settlement. This meant Mary had to work hard. Many of the older women among st the Pilgrims had died and the remaining work had to be shared by everyone. Mary took care of cooking and laundry for the men and boys whose wives or mothers had died.

Then, one day in March two strangers called Samoset and Squanto visited the settlement. They were native Indians who lived on the land. One of the stranger said, Hello settlers! welcome to your new home.Pilgrims said, thank you, Who are you? and the strangers said I am Samoset. I am the leader of the Abenake people.  And this is Squanto from the Wampanoag tribe.

The Pilgrims said, hello Samoset and Squanto. How is it that you speak such good English? They said we have had experience with other settlers who know English. We see that we are having trouble with food. Squanto here can teach you how to grow food on this soil.

And so the Pilgrims made new friends and learnt how to grow food in their new home. They learnt that using fish fertilizers will help their crops grow better with the help of Squanto and other people of his tribe the pilgrims grew a healthy crop of beans, pumpkins and corns. To celebrate the Harvest, the Pilgrims invited. King Massasoit of the Wampanoag tribe to the feast.

King Massasoit's men helped the settlers hunt for the feast and large feast of corn, roasted meat, pie, fruits were laid. The Pilgrims dedicated this day to getting together with friends and family and thanking God for the abundance of good food and loving people in our lives.