Grapes Are Sour Once a hungry fox went about in search of food and reached a vineyard. He stopped near one of the trees that bore beautiful ripe grapes which were hang­ing in bunches. His mouth watered. He thought that he would eat the ripe grapes to satisfy his hunger. So he tried to catch hold of the grapes. He jumped as high as possible to hold at least one of the bunches which was not so high. But still it was beyond his reach. When his repeated efforts failed to get even a single grape, he was upset. So he consoled himself by thinking that these grapes must be sour, which he shou ... read more

A Wolf and the Shepherd Boy Once there lived a boy. He lived in a small village. He took out his sheep for grazing every day. He would go to a nearby jungle. One day he thought of a mischief. He climbed up a tree and shouted, "Help! Help! A wolf is coming". The villagers rushed to his help. They found no wolf there. The boy laughed at them. He said that he had cried for the sake of fun. The villagers went back. On another day, he repeated the joke. The villagers again came to help him. They found no wolf. One day a wolf actually came there. The boy shouted for help. No one came to his ... read more

The Oak Tree and the Reeds The Oak tree always thought that he was far stronger than the reeds. He said to himself "I stand upright in storm. I don't bend my head in fear every time the wind blows. But these reeds are really so weak." That very night blew a storm and the mighty oak tree was uprooted. "Thank god!" sighed the reeds, "Our way is better. We bend but we don't break."

ALADDIN STORY-5 His mother was much surprised to see the great tray, twelve dishes, six loaves, the two flagons and cups, and to smell the savory odor which exhaled from the dishes. "Child," said she, "to whom are we obliged for this great plenty and liberality? Has the sultan been made acquainted with our poverty, and had compassion on us?" "It is no matter, mother," said Aladdin, "let us sit down and eat; for you have almost as much need of a good breakfast as myself; when we have done, I will tell you." Accordingly, both mother and son sat down, and ate with the better relish as the t ... read more

ALADDIN STORY-4 Aladdin descended the steps, and, opening the door, found the three halls just as the African magician had described. He went through them with all the precaution the fear of death could inspire, crossed the garden without stopping, took down the lamp from the niche, threw out the wick and the liquor, and, as the magician had desired, put it in his waistband. But as he came down from the terrace, seeing it was perfectly dry, he stopped in the garden to observe the trees, which were loaded with extraordinary fruit, of different colors on each tree. Some bore fruit entirely wh ... read more