english book review moral stories

• Send to friends
• Share Share Next Post
• Registration
• My Profile Login
• Nature & Travel
• Art & Stage
• Going Viral
• Inspirational
• Science & Tech
• Product Reviews
• Recently Viewed
• Edit Profile
• Terms Of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Nature & Travel
• Art & Stage
• Science & Tech

These Classic Books Have Great Underlying Moral Themes

  Any book lover will vouch that reading a book is not just an activity of pleasure, it can often become an immersive experience. Whether you read to cry or laugh, or to escape to another world, books have the magical ability to empower the soul. Also, whether you are a child or an adult, many books teach us essential moral lessons either in subtle or powerful ways.

Today, we look at some of the popular classic English books and the morals we can learn from each one of them. You might have read the books mentioned in the list below, but maybe reading them again from a fresh perspective will offer you some important life lessons. Take a look.

1. Pride and Prejudice

2. A Christmas Carol

3. The Old Man and the Sea

4. The Alchemist

5. Crime and Punishment

Author: Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Year published: 1866

What’s it about?

What drives someone to kill in cold blood? What goes through the murderer’s mind? And what kind of society breeds such people? These are some of the hard questions that Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky raises in his book Crime and Punishment which is widely regarded as one of the best-known works of Russian literature. The story is told from the point of view of Raskolnikov, a poor, young, former student in Saint Petersburg who plots to kill a dishonest pawnbroker for her money. The young man tries to justify his crime but is also ridden with nightmarish guilt. It is a brilliant psychopathology of guilt and still matters more than 150 Years later.

What’s the moral of the story?

As challenging and disturbing as Crime and Punishment is, it also touches on various complex moral issues. Before and after Raskolnikov murders the old pawnbroker, he is deeply troubled by the thought of such an act. It shows the mental anguish and moral dilemmas people have to face for their lethal actions. The book also addresses the idea that killing might never be justified. In the end, the protagonist goes through a crucial transformation and allows himself to accept and experience his harsh feelings, thus showing us that if we do realize our follies we can indeed ultimately redeem ourselves.

Another crucial aspect of the book is that while many of us face actual punishment for the crimes we commit and many of us don't, the harshest punishment comes from within.

6. The Incredible Journey

7. To Kill a Mockingbird

8. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

9. The Diary of a Young Girl

10. The Lord of the Rings 

11. Nineteen-Eighty-Four

Nineteen Eighty-Four is mainly about politics, and man did this novel have a huge impact on how we see totalitarian governments in the modern age of technology. Life today does exhibit some of the things this book warns about - the loss of privacy, the dominion of advertising, the reshaping of history, and so forth. The morals of this book are warnings. Do not give up your personal freedoms. Do not let history be rewritten. In addition, there are also criticisms of social classes, as the classes are highly divided in the book, with lower, middle, and higher classes (The Party) having completely different lives, monitored and controlled. In the end, based on the events that happen in the book, we are also warned that alone, one cannot fight the government. The feeling in the book is of isolation, each person alone in the clutches of a merciless system. The moral is, together we stand and alone we fall. If we let an oppressive regime divide us, then it wins.

12. The Little Prince

There are many morals in this beautiful story. The reason it is so loved around the world is that it touches on something all of us go through, the loss of childhood. The morals expressed in this book explore most of all the subject of what adults have forgotten about being a child that they really shouldn't. It is full of charming imagination that enables the boy prince to criticize many adult behaviors, most especially those that deny us the simple joy of being alive. One such moral has to do with focusing on counting things instead of enjoying their beauty, another is about how we lose the time we have while looking constantly to either the past or the future. The ultimate moral of the story is: Just because we become adults, doesn't mean we have to forget everything that made childhood so magical and beautiful. Life is meant to be lived and experienced, not just thought about.

13. The Metamorphosis 

Author: Franz Kafka

Year published: 1915

What’s it about? 

The Metamorphosis  is a bizarre story about a salesman, Gregor Samsa, who finds himself transformed into a large insect one day. He’s horrified and confused at this sudden transformation at first but soon begins to worry about his finances and how he will take care of his family. Gregor eventually accepts his metamorphosis. Unfortunately, his family shuns him as he becomes an embarrassment to them. Now alienated, Gregor deals with feelings of inadequacy and guilt and makes up his mind to take a decisive step. 

What's the moral of the story?

Kafka's Metamorphosis may come across as a gloomy tale that might even make you feel sad. The sudden twists and turns in the protagonist’s life can be quite disturbing to the reader. However, what many don’t know is that the story, for the most part, reflects Kafka’s inner struggles. He had a tough childhood and used to be a depressed individual. The family mirrors the author’s own real-life family, which often made him feel alienated.

The moral of ‘Metamorphosis’ is finding your own self and identity even when the world doesn’t understand you or offer any support. It also shows us that we shouldn’t burden ourselves to fulfill outside obligations, but also find time to work on our true selves.

14. Les Misérables

Author: Victor Hugo

Year published: 1862

Les Misérables can be translated from French into "The Miserable Ones", "The Poor Ones", or "The Wretched Poor". It follows Jean Valjean, an ex-convict in 19th-century France, who, after serving nineteen years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread, seeks redemption. Filled with anger and contempt at society, Valjean decides not to play by the rules and, using money from stolen silver, remodels himself as a mayor and factory owner. However, he is pursued relentlessly by Inspector Javert, the officer who freed him and is now determined to bring him back to prison.

Les Misérables teaches us that everyone’s life is touched by tragedy but also by beauty. Jean Valjean’s need for redemption from a prisoner to the factory-owning mayor is a fine example that despite the many setbacks we might face in our life, we can still revive ourselves. Another important moral lesson we learn in the book is forgiveness. Valjean eventually forgave Javert, who is unable to accept grace and believes men can never change. Even though Javert constantly opposed Valjean, he saves his life in the end, in a true act of forgiveness and compassion.

15. Lord of the Flies

Author: William Golding

Year published: 1954

Lord of the Flies  may sound like a fun adventure novel – a group of children between the ages of 6 and 12 is stranded on an uninhabited island after the plane carrying them crashes and they are left with no adult supervision. However, this is a lot more complex. Since no authority would tell the boys what's right or wrong, they can do anything they want. At first, they try to form their society but fail. Chaos follows and the children eventually turn violent and brutal.

‘Lord of the Flies’ was labeled a morality tale and a vision of the apocalypse when it was released. The major theme of the story is how easily man can regress to his feral instincts. The island in the book is a microcosm of the world and the plot intends to mirror what’s happening in real society. The book shows us how people deal with situations when under pressure or when they are left without any authoritative figures in their life. It also touches upon people’s need for power. Most importantly, however, William Golding wanted to show that humans are fundamentally defective and need to learn to be good. The author himself said: “The moral is that the shape of a society must depend on the ethical nature of the individual and not on any political system however apparently logical or respectable."

16. Great Expectations

Author: Charles Dickens

Year published: 1860

Charles Dickens's Great Expectations  revolves around Pip, an English orphan who lives with his abusive sister and her kind husband. Pip longs to be a wealthy gentleman. His wish is answered one day as he is mysteriously given a large fortune, his “great expectations.” Pip moves to London and enters high society. He deserts his old friends and attempts to fit in with upper-class society while trying to win the affection of Estella. Soon, though, he learns the identity of his mysterious benefactor, which leaves his soul shattered. 

Great Expectations is a timeless tale of hope and guilt, reward and ambition. Its moral theme, however, is quite simple: pip and the reader learn that love, loyalty, and morality are more important than wealth. Pip learns these lessons by seeking ambition and self-improvement over and above everything. He makes some bad choices but does some kind deeds as well. He is hard on himself when he acts unethically and feels overpowering guilt, which forces him toward better actions. This shows that one act doesn’t define someone as a whole.

When country boy Pip acquires sudden wealth and transforms into a high-society London gentleman, he becomes callous and discards what was precious to him. Only when he loses everything does he understand what’s truly noble: loyalty, conscience, humility, and selflessness.

17. The Scarlet Letter

Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne

Year published: 1850

Set in the 17th-century Puritan town of Boston,  The Scarlet Letter tells the story of Hester Prynne, who must wear a scarlet "A" (for adultery) embroidered on her chest because she conceived a daughter through an affair. Hester refuses to reveal the identity of her lover, and the city, which is governed by strict Puritan law, punishes her for her sin and secrecy. She’s sent to prison for three years; after being released, she moves to the outskirts of the city. Hester struggles to lead a life of dignity. The book explores her journey of guilt and penitence.

The Scarlet Letter is about love, sin, redemption, and most of all, morals. One theme plays a key role in the story - the theme of sin and its effects. Throughout the book, the reader questions whether Hester is a temptress or a victim of circumstance. Other characters, including the protagonist, commit various acts of sin and are punished in unique ways. 

Through Hester’s story, we learn that there are consequences for our actions. However, the cruel way she’s punished and alienated teaches us that personal conviction, not our society, should determine our sense of right and wrong. Also, while Hester was content with paying for her sins, she learns the lessons from the dark moments of her life and eventually manages to find ways to become independent while living separately from society. This shows that you can find ways to overcome the odds and find contentment even after living through the darkest of times.

18. The Handmaid's Tale

Author: Margaret Atwood

Year published: 1985

This popular dystopian novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood is set in New England in the future and shows a world where a brutal and repressive religious-based order has taken over the government of the United States. The new religious totalitarian state, called Gilead, has created a repressive environment, which includes the subjugation of women to reproductive slavery, public display of hanged dissenters, and the abolition of academics. The theocratic state has assigned ‘Handmaids’ - women whose only job is to bear children for high-ranking infertile couples.

The story is told from the perspective of one of such handmaids, Offred, who navigates through the horrifying environment while remembering better days with her husband and daughter, whom she hasn’t seen in years.

The Handmaid's Tale  was written as a blistering satire that deals with subjects of freedom, equality, politics, diversity, and human rights. Through the terrifying events portrayed in the book, we realize that freedom isn’t a guarantee. Many of us take our freedom for granted, assuming we’ll never have to defend it. However, as the book shows us, freedom can be abruptly taken away because of the whims of a few. Furthermore, the dystopian version depicted in this novel emphasizes the importance of granting equal access to all people in society.

Throughout the story, Offred’s desire to reunite with her daughter is the only thing that drives her in that oppressive world. It makes us realize that we should never let go of our goals, even in the toughest of times, and keep our focus on them, no matter what.

19. The Wind in the Willows

Author: Kenneth Grahame

Year published: 1908

The adventures of Mole, Water Rat, Badger, and, Toad have charmed readers for over a century and are sure to delight people for many years to come. The Wind in the Willows is a timeless classic that tells the story of four animals – a mild-mannered Mole, an altruistic Badger, a friendly Rat, and a conceited Toad – who live on the banks of a cozy little village in Edwardian England. Mole and Rat love spending their days traveling in a caravan or rowing their boat. Toad prefers the thrill of motor cars; one day, his passion lands him in trouble as he is caught and kept prisoner in the dungeon of a remote castle. Thankfully, his stubbornly loyal friends will do anything to rescue him.

The Wind in the Willows explores themes of friendship, honesty, and loyalty. Between Mole, Water Rat, Badger, and, Toad we can see genuine friendship, love, care, and support for each other. Each of them is always ready to extend a helping hand to their friends. In summary, this story tells us that good friends can make us better people and helps us overcome all obstacles.

20. Of Mice and Men

Author: John Steinbeck

Year published: 1937

Of Mice and Men chronicles the experiences of George Milton and Lennie Small - two displaced migrant ranch workers who dream of owning their own farm during the Great Depression. To achieve that dream, the two friends need to find work. 

George is a small man who is set as a caretaker for the much bigger Lennie, who has the mind of a young child. While dealing with loneliness and alienation in a world characterized by jealousy, anger, and misunderstanding, the two men cling to each other. Things happen on the farm, and their beautiful dream runs into rough weather.

One of the first things you learn while reading Of Mice and Men is that looks can be deceiving. Lennie appears to be an intimidating and big man. However, he has the mind of a child and a gentle heart.

All through the story, George and Lennie dream of owning a farm. The dream is eventually shattered, but you understand that some dreams are not meant to be attained but are still worthy of striving. 

Lastly, the two main characters share an unbreakable bond. They don’t always show it but are always there for each other. So, the people who really care about you are the ones who stand by your side no matter what you do. George is also willing to go to any lengths to protect Lennie. And in the end, he makes the supreme sacrifice for him, emphasizing that sometimes, you have to give up everything for the well-being of someone you care about.

21. Blindness

Author: José Saramago

Year published: 1995

In José Saramago's novel Blindness , a city’s residents are suddenly hit by “white blindness,” where the victim inexplicably loses sight. Oddly, though, instead of pure darkness they see “impenetrable whiteness.” What’s even stranger is that their blindness appears to be contagious. In just about a week, the entire city has been affected by the disease. The authorities confine the patients in an empty psychiatric hospital. Soon enough, the ugly side of humanity comes to the fore as the patients compete for scarce food, and chaos ensues.

Incredibly, a book that holds loss, filth, loot, cruelty, disorientation, injustice, helplessness, death, and unimaginable suffering at its core makes the reader feel overwhelming beauty. Blindness demonstrates the beauty of resilience, courage, and indomitable human spirit even when mercilessly pinned to the bottommost pit.

The dark, dystopian story shows us how humans react individually and collectively when faced with adversarial forces. Despite the grim choices of many characters, the author makes us see that humans aren’t imminently selfish; they are capable of doing good as much as they can do evil.

In Blindness, many characters indulge in extreme selfishness and brutal violence throughout the story. This becomes apparent when the government shuts the blind in an abandoned hospital, and a group of thugs take control of the wards and start hoarding all the food. However, we also see the good side of humanity when a doctor’s wife feigns blindness to enter the hospital where she tends to patients.

Author: Stephen King

Year published: 1987

Wouldn’t it be great to have a fan who constantly showers you with lovely compliments? Not if you are Paul Sheldon. In Misery , best-selling novelist Paul Sheldon has been left disabled after being involved in a horrible automobile accident. His "number one fan," Annie Wilkes, comes to his rescue, volunteering to be his nurse. What Paul doesn’t know is that Annie is psychotic and plans to hold his favorite author hostage in a remote cabin. She didn’t like what Paul had done to a female character in his best-selling novel and now wants him to write a new ending or face her wrath.

Who among us hasn’t gotten frustrated with their favorite author and felt like forcing them to change some part of their book? But in Misery, Annie Wilkes takes this to the extreme by forcing Paul Sheldon to change the ending of his popular book. While his ordeal was unfortunate, it teaches him that the key to human life isn’t about pleasing others or ourselves. One who molds these two halves of the self to the circumstances of the changing world can find contentment.

In the end, Paul, who always craved the attention of critics, realizes that he doesn’t even care that he has it now. He has finally risen above this feeling and begins writing for the satisfaction it provides.

23. The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Year published: 1831

Set in 15th-century Medieval Paris, The Hunchback of Notre Dame  centers on Quasimodo, the deformed bell ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral, who has fallen in love with the kindhearted dancer Esmeralda. Quasimodo, who has always been treated as an outcast, lives in isolation in the cathedral. When Esmeralda is falsely accused of murder and sentenced to death, it is Quasimodo who tries to rescue her from the gallows and defend her to the last.

The main takeaway of The Hunchback of Notre Dame is that people are primarily judged by their appearance rather than their internal characteristics. However, appearances can be deceiving, as we learn how kind, gentle, and trusting Quasimodo is despite being ostracized from society and mistreated by them. 

The book also shows us that we can be happy for others even if we don't get what we want. Quasimodo’s love for Esmeralda wasn’t reciprocated, but his devotion for her never withers. 

Another important life lesson to take from the story is that life isn’t always kind. Quasimodo has always been treated unfairly, cruelly even. No matter how carefully we tread and who and what we avoid, we will eventually stumble upon life’s anguishes and adversities. Hopefully, like Quasimodo, we learn to shrug them off and be true to ourselves. 

24. Gulliver's Travels

Author: Jonathan Swift

Year published: 1726

What's it about:

In Gulliver's Travels , we follow our hero as he is shipwrecked and discovers new and unbelievable lands of wonder. First, he wakes up on an island of tiny people, the Lilliputians. He then leaves them to the land of the giants, where he spends time as a royal pet. Once he escapes the giants, he continues on his journey to many fantastic lands, such as a flying pyramid filled with academics who do nothing but argue theories or an island of hyper-intelligent horses who live in a perfect society. In the end, Gulliver returns to his home in England to tell his tales.

Gulliver's Travels is written as an adventure story but it's a known satire of popular travel log books that contained, according to author Jonathan Swift, many lies and exaggerations. Swift, however, did more than just jab at the writers of his time; he proceeded to criticize many societal aspects too. In fact, Gulliver's Travels is one of the sharpest political satires ever written. Each of the lands Gulliver visits is either a mirror to an existing society or a message that things can be better. The most important morals Gulliver's Travels focus on are self-respect, self-discipline, and acceptance of personal responsibility. Swift attacks the corrupt, the judicial system, the government, the academics, and so on. His book is a sharp criticism of man's unrelenting usage of the land, of other people, nature, and animals. Man must be responsible for all of these, and there are things in this world that man should not explore, preferring kindness to progress.

Share this post with all your loved ones!

The Literary Puzzle Only 4 People In History Could Solve

Only 4 people have solved this puzzle in nearly a century: meet the 4 solvers of Cain's Jawbone

8 Books That Predicted the Future With Strange Accuracy

It always feels eerie when the future is predicted correctly and it turns out literature is full of such accurate forecasts. These 8 novels were particularly spot on.

These Short Classics Will be Perfect for a Weekend Read

These famous classic books are so short that you will easily wrap them up in a weekend.

We Found These Awesome Sites for Reading Short Stories!

These are the best places to read short stories online.

15 Rare Photos of Iconic Authors You've Never Seen

Your favorite iconic authors, as you've never seen them before.

8 Novels Any History Lover Must Read

If you're in the mood for time travel, grab one of these acclaimed and immersive historical novels.

Experience the MAGIC of the World's Best Christmas Markets

This Christmas take a trip to these festive markets.

These Hilarious Comics Are All About Words Colliding

Ready for a chuckle? Enjoy these pun-tastic homophone comics.

Which Old Philosophy Resonates With You?

Take this personality test to find out which ancient philosophy best reflects your outlook on life, emotions, and personal growth.

Which Continent IS It?

ow well do you know your way around the globe? Try our continent quiz.

Medical Test

From hospital procedures to complex terminology, this quiz will test your knowledge and uncover what you know about the human body, medical technology, and healthcare systems.

How Are Men and Women Different? A Few Good Examples

In this series of funny but true pictures, we get a quick tour of some of the major differences between men and women...

10 Unmissable Historical Fiction Novels You Must Read

If you’re a fan of history, then these books have to be on your to-read list.

These 10 Documentaries Are a Must for Curious Minds

You can’t miss these thought-provoking documentaries.

Famous Moments in History that Never Happened

Chances are you've accepted these nine occurrences as historical fact. But, they are actually, completely false.

Wow! How Did These Children Survive These Ordeals?

Children are amazingly resilient. These six children suffered terrible ordeals, but they all managed to survive against all odds.

Was This the WORST Year in Human History?

We thought 2020 was probably the worst year in human history. But wait till you read about the chaos that ensued in 536 AD.

11 Fun Charts - You’ll Love Learning All This Useful Info!

In these helpful visual guides, we cover such important topics as distinguishing heart attack symptoms in men and women, and how to care for your indoor plants.

8 Mysterious Objects Found By Deep Sea Divers

The oceans are vast and mysterious, and they hide many strange and curious lost objects. Here are 8 such items, unearthed by deep-sea divers.

Enrich Your Knowledge with These 18 Fascinating Facts!

Whether you love trivia, history, or just want to keep feeding your brain, these 18 facts will do for you.

The Incredible Differences Between North and South Korea

Photographer captures remarkable difference between North and South Korea.

7 Must-Read Books That Will Get You Interested in History

These interesting history books will make you look at our world and our past from a different perspective.

I Just Wanted to Let You Know: I'm Thinking of You

Is there anyone in your life whom you're thinking of deeply right now? Send them a little greeting to let them know.

Do You Remember Playing Like These Photographed Children?

In the days before cellphones, the internet, and the like, we children had to learn how to make our fun. Remember playing like these retro kids?

10 Cool Maps That Show How Much Unpopulated Space There Is

These maps will utterly surprise you when you realize just how unevenly the world's population is spread out. Most of the world is quite free of people!

Wow! I Had No Idea That Whales Could Show Gratitude!

One whale was so grateful for the man who saved his life, he showed his appreciation - by dancing!

Why is South Korea Experiencing a Population Crisis?

What are the reasons behind South Korea's population problem, the worst in the world.

The Past Was a Surprising and Truly Strange Time...

Here are some truly weird things that people used to do in the past from days gone by.

Untamed Spirits: Tales of Legendary Mountain Men!

Not many know about these iconic men of the mountains.

Ancient Legends: 13 Terrifying Folklore Creatures

These fearsome folkloric beings have been keeping people awake for generations.

This Hilarious Song Perfectly Sums Up My "Efficient" Memory

This hilarious song perfectly sums up or senior moments.

20th Century: The MOST Popular Breakfast of Every Decade

Breakfast shape-shifted quite a bit during the 20th century. Discover the most popular breakfast delicacy of every decade in this article

8 Delectably Creamy Fruits That Taste Like Dessert

Here is a list of some of the most exotic and incredibly delectable fruits that taste naturally like delicious desserts.

12 Ingenious Life Hacks from Ancient Civilizations

From advanced dental care to sustainable agriculture, these ancient life hacks demonstrate a blend of practicality and sophistication.

A Fistful of Dollars: Live and Unforgettable Performance

Watch The Danish National Symphony Orchestra perform Ennio Morricone’s classic song "A Fistful of Dollars."

The Real Bonnie and Clyde: 7 Facts About the Outlaw Couple

Media depicts them as glamourous, fearless outlaws. But what was behind the myth of Bonnie and Clyde? These 7 lesser-known facts tell their story.

When Deaf People Hear for the Very First Time...

In this wonderful video, we will see the miracle of hearing given to several people who have been deaf.

12 Vintage Christmas Songs That Still Warm Hearts

These classic Christmas songs capture the spirit of the season.

Historical Window: Looking at Women Workers in WWI

Women made a significant contribution to the Allied effort during both World Wars. Take a look as these fascinating photos of women at work during WWI.

The Secrets behind Houdini's Greatest Tricks!

Have you ever wondered how Harry Houdini carried out his stunning feats? Well, if you have, wonder no more! All is revealed here!

How Islam Separated Into Sunni and Shia: The Full Story

What happened, and why did it cause Islam to split into two factions?

15 People Who Have the STRANGEST Hobbies

Some people's hobbies, as it turns out, are stranger than others. Here are 15 bizarre yet cool hobbies keeping people busy

According to the CIA, This Is How Disguises REALLY Work

Ever wondered how spies and intelligence agencies manage to make their disguises look so utterly convincing? Find out here.

These Photos Make Sure We Will Never Forget WW2

These photos document some of the moments of this epic yet haunting time in our history. I hope that future generations will not forget the lessons that war has taught us.

History Can Be Ironic & These 12 Stories Prove Just That...

These 12 short stories from world history are strange, tragic, but most importantly, utterly ironic...

12 Freaky Photos of Olympians That Will Shock You

These surreal pictures of Olympians will make you see athletes in a different light.

18 Moments of History that Shed Light On Different Times

These 18 photos open a world of yesteryear for us to explore and enjoy.

A Unique Nursing Home You Need to Hear About...

This dementia village is the most progressive and forward thinking nursing home.

These 6 People Have an IQ Higher Than Einstein!

Einstein's name has long been used as a synonym for genius, but history is full of other tremendously intelligent people. Here are 6 noteworthy examples!

Ride Through a German Town In 1902 on 'The Flying Train'

Take a fascinating ride through a German town from 1902 in this rare and unique footage.

12 Beautiful Plants That Will Transform Your Windows

Brighten your home with these gorgeous window plants.

5 Famous Mythical Places That Continue To Fascinate Us

Learn about some of the most famous ancient mythical places in history that continues to fascinate us even today.

Unusual Jobs of the 20th Century You Never Knew Existed

Which of these obsolete 20th century jobs would you like to do today?

WATCH: Old Hollywood Legends Bring 'Uptown Funk' to Life

These vintage stars grooving to 'Uptown Funk' will make your day.

You Won't Believe These Stories of the White House

The White House stands as a glorious monument to American politics, and in its 200 years of history, has had quite a few interesting encounter!

These Feel-Good Facts Warmed My Heart...

These feel-good facts would warm anyone's heart.

14 Fascinating Museum Treasures That Stole the Show

These 14 museum finds are truly impressive.

• Send by Email
• Share on Facebook
• Share on whatsapp
• I Like This
• More Options

email addresses were disqulified from the list and couldn't be sent. To return Click Here

Instead of manually entering the email addresses you want to send to each and every time, you can now create your own personalized contact list that will be available for you to use any time you want to share one of our posts with your friends and family.

Now you can easily and quickly add contacts from your email account (such as Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo etc.), or just manually add the email addresses you'd like to keep in your contact list.

• 10 Easy and Fun Drawing Tutorials For Kids and Beginners
• Here Are 25 of the Most Unusual Competitive Sports Ever!
• 6 Pressure Points to Ease Knee Pain Naturally
• Turmeric Milk: Your Nighttime Sleep Elixir
• Protecting Yourself from Medical Errors: A Patient's Guide
• Relearn the Classic Childhood Games Kids Need Now
• Can You Spot the Mistake In Each of These Images?
• Have a Go at Solving These Tricky Murder Riddles
• 10 Fun Visual Brain Teasers You Will Want To Share
• Massive Riddle Collection: 120 Tricky Riddles to Test You!
• 18 Gorgeous Fish You've Got to See!
• 10 Adorable Sea Animals You Would Love to be Friends With
• 41 Butterflies You Must See Before They Disappear
• 15 Rare and Beautiful Birds I Can't Stop Staring At
• There Are Exquisite, Colorful Trees Growing in Japan...
• Ink Stain Removal Made Easy With 9 Ultimate Home Methods
• 7 Tips to Ensure You Never Buy a Bad Watermelon Again!
• Warning: Are You Overlooking These 10 Home Risks?
• These Pickpocket Tricks Should Be Known by Everyone!
• Have Your White Clothes Lost Their Brightness? Try This!
• Joke: The Widow and the Special Words...
• Presenting to You the Comedy Kings of the Animal Kingdom
• Toilet Humor? When Bathroom Signs Get Hilariously Creative
• These Retorts are So Good, They'll Leave Scars!
• 18 Pics Captured EXACTLY at the Right Moment…
• 12 Short Poems By the Some of the Greatest Poets!
• Hilarious: The Secret Life of Cat Owners
• 8 Mistakes Even Famous Masterpieces Have
• Time Changes Everything - 22 Amazing Before & After Photos
• 20 Unforgettable Indian Wildlife Photos Worth Seeing
• Find Out: How Rare is My Birthday?
• Too Cute! 99 Adorable Kittens You'd Happily Take Home
• These Latin Phrases Will Make You Think About Life
• 16 Absolutely Unforgettable Historical Photographs
• A Lonely Goose Asked For This Woman's Help...
• Ancient Wisdom: 3,000-Year Old Advice by King Solomon
• Great Life Lessons Are Hidden in These African Fables
• 15 Timeless Lessons from Galileo and Other Great Thinkers
• 12 Powerful Short Stories That Everybody Should Read!
• The 10 Most Powerful Words in the English Language
• Stunning 2024 Images from the James Webb Space Telescope
• All Aboard the Fastest Steam Trains in Locomotive History!
• 6 Harmful Toxins You Didn’t Know You Encounter Daily
• Watch Classic Cinema for Free with These Sites!
• Guide: How to Unlock Your Phone Without a Passcode
• Full and free access to ALL content.
• The 'Daily Mail' service sends the highest quality and the most fascinating content directly to your inbox.

• Craft and Criticism
• Fiction and Poetry
• News and Culture
• Lit Hub Radio
• Reading Lists

• Literary Criticism
• Craft and Advice
• In Conversation
• On Translation
• Short Story
• From the Novel
• Bookstores and Libraries
• Film and TV
• Art and Photography
• Freeman’s
• The Virtual Book Channel
• The Lit Hub Podcast
• The Critic and Her Publics
• Fiction/Non/Fiction
• I’m a Writer But
• Windham-Campbell Prizes Podcast
• Write-minded
• First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing
• Behind the Mic
• Lit Century
• Tor Presents: Voyage Into Genre
• Beyond the Page
• The Cosmic Library
• Emergence Magazine
• The Best of the Decade
• Best Reviewed Books
• BookMarks Daily Giveaway
• The Daily Thrill
• CrimeReads Daily Giveaway

The 10 Best Book Reviews of 2020

Adam morgan picks parul sehgal on raven leilani, merve emre on lewis carroll, and more.

The pandemic and the birth of my second daughter prevented me from reading most of the books I wanted to in 2020. But I was able to read vicariously  through book critics, whose writing was a true source of comfort and escape for me this year. I’ve long told my students that criticism is literature—a genre of nonfiction that can and should be as insightful, experimental, and compelling as the art it grapples with—and the following critics have beautifully proven my point. The word “best” is always a misnomer, but these are my personal favorite book reviews of 2020.

Nate Marshall on Barack Obama’s A Promised Land ( Chicago Tribune )

A book review rarely leads to a segment on The 11th Hour with Brian Williams , but that’s what happened to Nate Marshall last month. I love how he combines a traditional review with a personal essay—a hybrid form that has become my favorite subgenre of criticism.

“The presidential memoir so often falls flat because it works against the strengths of the memoir form. Rather than take a slice of one’s life to lay bare and come to a revelation about the self or the world, the presidential memoir seeks to take the sum of a life to defend one’s actions. These sorts of memoirs are an attempt maybe not to rewrite history, but to situate history in the most rosy frame. It is by nature defensive and in this book, we see Obama’s primary defensive tool, his prodigious mind and proclivity toward over-considering every detail.”

Merve Emre on Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland ( The Point )

I’m a huge fan of writing about books that weren’t just published in the last 10 seconds. And speaking of that hybrid form above, Merve Emre is one of its finest practitioners. This piece made me laugh out loud and changed the way I think about Lewis Carroll.

“I lie awake at night and concentrate on Alice,  on why my children have fixated on this book at this particular moment. Part of it must be that I have told them it ‘takes place’ in Oxford, and now Oxford—or more specifically, the college whose grounds grow into our garden—marks the physical limits of their world. Now that we can no longer move about freely, no longer go to new places to see new things, we are trying to find ways to estrange the places and objects that are already familiar to us.”

Parul Sehgal on Raven Leilani’s Luster ( The New York Times Book Review )

Once again, Sehgal remains the best lede writer in the business. I challenge you to read the opening of any  Sehgal review and stop there.

“You may know of the hemline theory—the idea that skirt lengths fluctuate with the stock market, rising in boom times and growing longer in recessions. Perhaps publishing has a parallel; call it the blurb theory. The more strained our circumstances, the more manic the publicity machine, the more breathless and orotund the advance praise. Blurbers (and critics) speak with a reverent quiver of this moment, anointing every other book its guide, every second writer its essential voice.”

Constance Grady on Anne Brontë’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall ( Vox )

Restoring the legacies of ill-forgotten books is one of our duties as critics. Grady’s take on “the least famous sister in a family of celebrated geniuses” makes a good case for Wildfell Hall’ s place alongside Wuthering Heights  and Jane Eyre  in the Romantic canon.

“[T]he heart of this book is a portrait of a woman surviving and flourishing after abuse, and in that, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall feels unnervingly modern. It is fresh, shocking, and wholly new today, 200 years after the birth of its author.”

Ismail Muhammad on Anna Wiener’s Uncanny Valley ( The Atlantic )

Muhammad is a philosophical critic, so it’s always fun to see him tackle a book with big ideas. Here, he makes an enlightened connection between Wiener’s Silicon Valley memoir and Michael Lewis’s 1989 Wall Street exposé, Liar’s Poker.

“Like Lewis, Wiener found ‘a way out of unhappiness’ by writing her own gimlet-eyed generational portrait that doubles as a cautionary tale of systemic dysfunction. But if her chronicle acquires anything like the must-read status that Lewis’s antic tale of a Princeton art-history major’s stint at Salomon Brothers did, it will be for a different reason. For all her caustic insight and droll portraiture, Wiener is on an earnest quest likely to resonate with a public that has been sleepwalking through tech’s gradual reshaping of society.”

Hermione Hoby on Mieko Kawakami’s Breasts and Eggs ( 4 Columns )

Hoby’s thousand-word review is a great example of a critic reading beyond the book to place it in context.

“When Mieko Kawakami’s Breasts and Eggs  was first published in 2008, the then-governor of Tokyo, the ultraconservative Shintaro Ishihara, deemed the novel ‘unpleasant and intolerable.’ I wonder what he objected to? Perhaps he wasn’t into a scene in which the narrator, a struggling writer called Natsuko, pushes a few fingers into her vagina in a spirit of dejected exploration: ‘I . . . tried being rough and being gentle. Nothing worked.’”

Taylor Moore on C Pam Zhang’s How Much Of These Hills Is Gold ( The A.V. Club )

Describing Zhang’s wildly imaginative debut novel is hard, but Moore manages to convey the book’s shape and texture in less than 800 words, along with some critical analysis.

“Despite some characteristics endemic to Wild West narratives (buzzards circling prey, saloons filled with seedy strangers), the world of How Much Of These Hills Is Gold feels wholly original, and Zhang imbues its wide expanse with magical realism. According to local lore, tigers lurk in the shadows, despite having died out ‘decades ago’ with the buffalo. There also exists a profound sense of loss for an exploited land, ‘stripped of its gold, its rivers, its buffalo, its Indians, its tigers, its jackals, its birds and its green and its living.’”

Grace Ebert on Paul Christman’s Midwest Futures ( Chicago Review of Books )

I love how Ebert brings her lived experience as a Midwesterner into this review of Christman’s essay collection. (Disclosure: I founded the Chicago Review of Books five years ago, but handed over the keys in July 2019.)

“I have a deep and genuine love for Wisconsin, for rural supper clubs that always offer a choice between chicken soup or an iceberg lettuce salad, and for driving back, country roads that seemingly are endless. This love, though, is conflicting. How can I sing along to Waylon Jennings, Tanya Tucker, and Merle Haggard knowing that my current political views are in complete opposition to the lyrics I croon with a twang in my voice?”

Michael Schaub on Bryan Washington’s Memorial ( NPR )

How do you review a book you fall in love with? It’s one of the most challenging assignments a critic can tackle. But Schaub is a pro; he falls in love with a few books every year.

“Washington is an enormously gifted author, and his writing—spare, unadorned, but beautiful—reads like the work of a writer who’s been working for decades, not one who has yet to turn 30. Just like Lot, Memorial  is a quietly stunning book, a masterpiece that asks us to reflect on what we owe to the people who enter our lives.”

Mesha Maren on Fernanda Melchor’s Hurricane Season ( Southern Review of Books )

Maren opens with an irresistible comparison between Melchor’s irreverent novel and medieval surrealist art. (Another Disclosure: I founded the Southern Review of Books in early 2020.)

“Have you ever wondered what internal monologue might accompany the characters in a Hieronymus Bosch painting? What are the couple copulating upside down in the middle of that pond thinking? Or the man with flowers sprouting from his ass? Or the poor fellow being killed by a fire-breathing creature which is itself impaled upon a knife? I would venture to guess that their voices would sound something like the writing of Mexican novelist Fernanda Melchor.”

• Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

Adam Morgan

Previous article, next article, support lit hub..

Join our community of readers.

to the Lithub Daily

Popular posts.

Facing Crisis Together: On the Revolutionary Potential of Mutual Aid

• RSS - Posts

Literary Hub

Created by Grove Atlantic and Electric Literature

Sign Up For Our Newsletters

How to Pitch Lit Hub

Advertisers: Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Support Lit Hub - Become A Member

Become a Lit Hub Supporting Member : Because Books Matter

For the past decade, Literary Hub has brought you the best of the book world for free—no paywall. But our future relies on you. In return for a donation, you’ll get an ad-free reading experience , exclusive editors’ picks, book giveaways, and our coveted Joan Didion Lit Hub tote bag . Most importantly, you’ll keep independent book coverage alive and thriving on the internet.

Become a member for as low as $5/month

Learn and Grow

32 Moral Stories in English That Will Touch Your Heart

By Caitriona Maria

October 2, 2022

Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning that when you make a purchase, I earn a small commission. Affiliate links cost you nothing to use and help keep my content free. For more info, see the Disclosure Policy.

There is a reason why moral stories have been around for centuries. They teach us a lot about life and remind us of what is truly important.

Today we will share 32 moral stories in English that will inspire your child to be a better person. These stories will surely warm their hearts and make them think about the world in a new way.

These stories deal with different aspects of life, such as love, family, friendship, and more. We hope you enjoy them!

Screen time you feel good about? Build reading, math, creativity, and thinking skills with Homer. Increase Early Reading Scores by 74% in children aged 2-8, all while having fun! Try it free for 30 days.

Moral Stories in English

1. the lion and the mouse.

Moral:  Kindness is never wasted.

A well-known fable by Aesop is “The Lion and The Mouse.” This story is about a lion who spared the life of a mouse. The mouse then returns the favor by helping the lion when he is in danger. This story shows us that life is full of surprises, and kind deeds get rewarded.

Read the short version.

2. The Ant and the Grasshopper

Moral:  There is a time for work and a time for play.

“The Ant and the Grasshopper” is another popular moral story. This tale is about a grasshopper who spends his days singing and playing instead of preparing for winter. The ant works hard all summer to store up food. When winter comes, the grasshopper has nothing to eat, while the ant is warm and well-fed. This story teaches us the importance of hard work and planning ahead.

3. The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Moral:  Liars aren’t believed even when they tell the truth.

“The Boy Who Cried Wolf” is a classic story that has been around for centuries. This story is about a shepherd boy who tricks the villagers by crying “wolf” when there is no danger. The villagers eventually get tired of his games and don’t believe him when he cries “wolf” for real. This story teaches us the importance of telling the truth.

4. The Hare and the Tortoise

Moral:  You can be more successful by doing things slowly and steadily rather than quickly and carelessly.

The fable is about a hare who mocks a tortoise for being slow. The tortoise then challenges the hare to a race. The hare runs fast at first but then takes a nap in the middle of the race. The tortoise slowly but surely passes the hare and wins the race. Slow and steady wins the race!

5. The Blue Jackal

Moral:  Don’t be too greedy.

“The Blue Jackal” is a moral story about a jackal that jumps into a large pool of blue dye. When he returned to the jungle, all the animals were confused to see such a strange-looking animal. Then he had a clever idea. He pretended that he was sent there by the creator of the universe and announced himself as king. Everyone believed him until they soon later figured out he was just a jackal.

6. The Goose and the Golden Egg

Moral:  Those who have plenty want more and so lose all they have.

In the tale “The Goose and the Golden Egg,” a farmer finds a golden goose. He is so excited about his new discovery that he kills the goose to get all the gold. However, when he opens up the goose, he finds that it is just like any other goose. This story teaches us that greed does not pay off in the end.

7. A Wise Old Owl

Moral:  When you speak less and listen more, you become wiser and smarter

“A Wise Old Owl” teaches us about being wise and the virtue of silence. The story is about an owl who is wise and hears many things. He spoke less and less and heard more and more. This is available as both a nursery rhyme and a moral story.

8. Jack and the Beanstalk

Moral:  Take advantage of the opportunities life provides for you.

“Jack and the Beanstalk” is a classic moral story passed down for generations. In this tale, Jack trades his cow for some magic beans. His mother is very angry with him but decides to plant the beans anyway. The following day, Jack wakes up to find a giant beanstalk growing outside his window. He climbs the beanstalk and finds a giant’s castle in the clouds.

Read it here.

9. The Ugly Duckling

Moral:  Don’t judge a person by outward appearance.

“The Ugly Duckling” is a celebrated Hans Christian Andersen story that teaches us about inner beauty. In this tale, an ugly duckling is born into a family of beautiful ducks. The other ducks make fun of him, and he feels very alone. He eventually grows up to be a beautiful swan. This story teaches us what ‘s on the inside counts and raises questions about bullying and discrimination.

10. The Brahim’s Dream

Moral:  Do not build castles in the air.

In the tale, a man called Brahim receives so much rice and is so happy he can’t keep his eyes off the bowl. That night, he has a dream in which he trades rice for money, and a series of events lead to him becoming a wealthy farmer and having his own wife and son. When he wakes up, he realizes that it is only a dream.

11. The Gingerbread Man

Moral:  Be careful when dealing with strangers.

In the tale, a gingerbread man comes to life and runs away from the people who want to eat him. He meets many animals along the way, but none of them can catch him. Eventually, he meets a fox who tricks him into coming close enough to eat him. This story teaches us to be careful of strangers.

12. The Three Little Pigs

Moral:  Hard work pays off.

“The Three Little Pigs” is a classic moral story that has been told for generations. In this tale, three little pigs build houses out of straw, sticks, and bricks. The big bad wolf comes and blows down the first two houses, but he can’t blow down the third house. This story teaches us the importance of hard work and doing things the right way.

13. The Fox and the Goat

Moral:  Look before you leap.

“The Fox and the Goat” is a tale about a fox who falls into a deep well. A thirsty goat comes by the well. The fox comes up with a plan to get out of the well. He tells the goat that the water is the finest. The goat jumps in, and the fox jumps on its horns to escape. This story teaches us to think before we act.

14. The Camel and the Pig

Moral:  It is always best to be yourself.

“The Camel and the Pig” examines the question: is it better to be short or tall? In this Indian fable, a camel and pig are arguing about which is better. They were both hungry. The camel could reach over a low wall and eat the plants from the garden. The pig could not. They came to another garden, this time with a high wall. The pig could squeeze his short body under the gate. The camel couldn’t.

15. The Emperor’s New Clothes

Moral:  Speak up for the truth and what’s right.

“The Emperor’s New Clothes” is a fun story that teaches us about bravery, vanity, truth, wisdom, and naivety. In this tale, an emperor is tricked by two weavers who say they can make him a magical suit of clothes. The emperor agrees to wear the clothes, but in reality, he is wearing nothing at all. It takes a brave little boy to point out that the emperor is naked, and everyone finally sees the truth.

16. The Midas Touch

Moral:  You should never be greedy in life.

“The Midas Touch” is a moral story that teaches us about being greedy. In this tale, King Midas is granted a wish by a fairy. He wishes that everything he touches turns into gold. At first, he is excited but realizes he can’t even touch his daughter without turning her into gold. This story teaches us that greed is not good.

17. Elephant and Friends

Moral:  Friends come in all shapes and sizes.

“Elephant and Friends” is a moral story that teaches us about being kind. In this tale, an elephant is not accepted because he cannot do anything the other animals can do. One day, a tiger comes to eat the animals, and the elephant helps his friends who are in danger. This story teaches us the importance of being kind to others and that friends come in all shapes and sizes.

18. The Fox and the Stork

Moral:  Don’t play tricks on your neighbor unless you can tolerate the same treatment.

“The Fox and the Stork” teaches us about being kind. In this tale, a fox invites a stork over for dinner . The fox serves soup but only gives the stork a shallow bowl, so he can’t eat any of it. The stork gets revenge by inviting the fox over for dinner and serving him food that he can’t eat.

19. Be Wise While Counting

Moral:  A witty answer will serve its purpose.

“Be Wise While Counting” is about an emperor called Akbar who often asked strange questions and riddles. Once, he asked a question, and his courtiers couldn’t think of the answer. One man named Birbal, who knew the emperor’s nature, gave a witty answer that served its purpose.

20. Three Billy Goats Gruff

Moral:  Don’t be greedy.

“Three Billy Goats Gruff” is a moral story that teaches us about bravery and greed. In this tale, three billy goats must cross a bridge to get to the other side. A troll lives under the bridge and wants to eat them. The first two goats trick the troll into waiting for a bigger meal, and the third goat is brave and charges at the troll. The lesson is not to be greedy for the biggest prize and appreciate what you have.

21. The Dog at the Well

Moral:  Always do what your elders say. Question them, but don’t defy them.

“The Dog at the Well” is about a pup who is told by his mother not to go near the well. One day, the puppy goes to the well and falls in. He barks until the farmer rescues him.

Moral:  Life still moves on after death.

“Bambi” is about a young deer named Bambi who is born in the forest. He makes friends with all the animals and learns important life lessons from them. One day, a hunter kills Bambi’s mother. His father, the old stag, eventually dies, and Bambi becomes the Great Prince of the Forest, and he falls in love with a young doe. This story teaches us how to cope with loss and devastation.

23. The Elves and the Shoemaker

Moral:  Be thankful for the help from others and try to help others when they need it.

“The Elves and the Shoemaker” teaches us the importance of hard work. In this tale, two elves voluntarily come to help a shoemaker make shoes. The elves do all of the work while the shoemaker sleeps. In the morning, the shoemaker wakes up to find that his shoes are finished. This continues every night until the shoemaker is rich. In the end, the shoemaker returns the favor.

24. The Clever Monkey Rides Again

Moral:  Don’t be a bully.

“The Clever Monkey” is a classic story from West Africa about a lion who is a bully to the other animals in the jungle. A clever monkey tricks and ridicules the lion, and he never returns to that part of the jungle again. Readers learn the importance of courage and not bullying others.

25. The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Moral:  God is willing to forgive us for our sins.

“The Parable of the Prodigal Son” is a bible story that teaches us about forgiveness. In this parable, a man has two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance and then leaves home. He squanders all of his money and ends up penniless. He returns home, and his father forgives him. This story teaches us the importance of forgiveness and second chances.

26. The Needle Tree

Moral:  Remember to be thankful and kind, and you will be rewarded.

“The Needle Tree” is a story about a mean boy who mistreats his brother. The mean brother finds a magical tree that produces golden apples. He threatens to cut down the tree if it doesn’t make more golden apples. The tree showered him with needles, and the caring younger sibling of the boy helped him. The boy apologizes for mistreating him, and the tree begins to give them both golden apples again.

27. The Milkmaid and Her Pail

Moral:  Don’t count your chickens before they have hatched.

“The Milkmaid and Her Pail” is about a milkmaid walking to town with a pail of milk. She’s daydreaming about all of the things she’ll buy with the money she gets from selling the milk. She is so caught up in her daydreams that she tosses her head and spills all the milk.

28. The Bear and the Two Friends

Moral:  A friend who does not help his friend in times of need is not a true friend.

In this tale, two friends need to get to the village, but they must cross the forest first. They come across a wild bear. One friend climbed up the tree and refused to help his other friend. The other friend pretended he was dead until the bear went away.

29. Pinocchio 

Moral:  Honesty is the best policy.

“Pinocchio” is a story about a wooden puppet who comes to life. Pinocchio lies, and his nose grows longer each time he tells a lie. In the end, Pinocchio learns that honesty is the best policy.

30. The Frog Prince Story

Moral:  Don’t judge a book by its cover.

“The Frog Prince Story” is about a frog who fetches the princess’s golden ball. The princess agrees to take care of the frog, even though she doesn’t want to. She grew fond of him. One day, the frog turns into a prince. In the end, she learns never to judge by first glance.

Read the extended version.

31. Robin Hood Story

Moral:  It is better to give than to receive.

“Robin Hood Story” is about a man who takes from the rich and gives to the poor. He wants to do the “right thing” and doesn’t want to let the oppressive laws stop him. Many believed he was a thief and a wrongdoer of the law.

32. Peter Pan Story

Moral: Everyone has to grow up and embrace the adventure

“Peter Pan Story” is about a boy who never wants to grow up and is eternally youthful. He lives in a world of make-believe and fantasy. Peter Pan needs to rescue the children from Captain Hook . He takes his friend back to Neverland every year until she grows up and can no longer go with him.

How To Make Reading More Interesting For Kids?

There are many ways to make reading more interesting for kids.

• One way is to read aloud to them with expression. This will help them to understand the emotions behind the story.
• You can let them choose their own books to read . This will help them to find stories that they are interested in.
• Ask them questions about the story as they are reading it. This will help them to think critically about what they are reading.

Using these methods, you can help your child develop a love for reading.

In Conclusion

These are just some of the many moral stories in English that have been passed down for generations. These stories teach us important lessons about life , love, and friendship. What’s your favorite moral story? Share it with us in the comments below!

Language Pack

6-day english challenge.

Sign up for my free 6-day challenge + English vocabulary planner to improve your English skills. Practice for just 10 minutes per day and see the results! Sign up here.

One-on-One and Group Classes (Free Trial!)

Language lessons and targeted rapid learning at Lingoda to improve confidence. Classes are available 24/7 in English, Business English, German, French, and Spanish. Get a 7-day trial here.

Learn to READ AND WRITE

Learn how to write the letters of the alphabet and common English words with my printables available here . Improve early reading scores by 74% with the early learning program Homer.

Most Common Words in English

Did you know 3000 words in English make up about 95% of everyday conversation? Learn the 2000 most common words in English completely FREE when you sign up for English Class 101— no credit card required! Also, check out their monthly free gifts selection.

English Language Learning Videos

Study and learn English independently and at your own pace with the successful Building Your English Brain and English Vocabulary Launch: Upgrade your Speaking (intermediate).

Caitriona Maria is an education writer and founder of TPR Teaching, crafting inspiring pieces that promote the importance of developing new skills. For 7 years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.

“Objection, Hearsay!” Simplified Meaning and Explanation

10 best free coloring pages for kids to enjoy, 2 thoughts on “32 moral stories in english that will touch your heart”.

That is long

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

11 Inspirational Stories With a Moral Everyone Should Know

Our minds are “story processors”, not “logic processors”, Jonathan Haidt once observed. The social psychologist knows how we use narratives to make sense of our lives. It’s not always possible (or desirable) to be the protagonist in a story that teaches us a valuable life lesson. Fortunately, there are time-tested archetypal narratives, sometimes based on tropes , to help us gain those teachable insights. Here are eleven fables, parables and other stories with a moral everyone should know.

Table of Contents

1. the fox and the grapes, 2. chinese farmer story, 3. the drunkard, 4. the scorpion and the frog, 5. poseidon, 6. two little mice, 7. the hanoi rat bounty, 8. a useless life, 9. the shepherd’s boy and the wolf, 10. st george in retirement, 11. the blind men and an elephant, bonus: learning to be silent, closing thoughts.

The Fox and the Grapes is a popular fable about grit by Aesop, an ancient Greek storyteller.

A famished fox saw some clusters of ripe black grapes hanging from a trellised vine. She resorted to all her tricks to get at them, but wearied herself in vain, for she could not reach them. At last she turned away, hiding her disappointment and saying: “The Grapes are sour, and not ripe as I thought.” Aesop’s Fables

The moral of the story : If you think something is not worth having, ask yourself: “Is that only because I think I’m unable to achieve it?”

The Chinese Farmer Story is a Zen narrative about perspective and humility . It has been attributed to philosopher Alan Watts:

Once upon a time there was a Chinese farmer whose horse ran away. All the neighbours came around that evening and said, “That’s too bad.” And the farmer said, “Maybe.” The next day the horse came back and brought seven wild horses with it. And all the neighbours came around and said, “That’s great, isn’t it?” And the farmer said, “Maybe.” The next day his son, who was attempting to tame one of these horses, and was riding it and was thrown broke his leg. And all the neighbours came around in the evening and said, “Well, that’s too bad, isn’t it?” And the farmer said, “Maybe.” The next day the conscription officers came around looking for people for the army. They rejected his son because he had a broken leg. And all the neighbours came around that evening and said, “Well, isn’t that wonderful?” And the farmer said, “Maybe.” Alan Watts (edited for clarity)

The moral of the story : We should be careful labelling the things that happen to us as good or bad. The causal chain of the universe is complex and infinite. Real-life stories continue even after the happy ending.

The Drunkard is a story with a moral about seeking truth and wisdom .

A policeman sees a drunk man searching for something under a streetlight and asks what the drunk has lost. He says he lost his keys and they both look under the streetlight together. After a few minutes the policeman asks if he is sure he lost them here, and the drunk replies, no, and that he lost them in the park. The policeman asks why he is searching here, and the drunk replies, “this is where the light is”. David H. Freedman, Wrong: Why Experts Keep Failing Us

The moral of the story : Truth and wisdom are found where you least want to look.

The Scorpion and the Frog is a fable about trust, human nature and malevolence . One of the many versions goes as follows:

A scorpion asks a frog to carry him over a river. The frog is afraid of being stung, but the scorpion argues that if it did so, both would sink and the scorpion would drown. The frog then agrees, but midway across the river the scorpion does indeed sting the frog, dooming them both. When asked why, the scorpion points out that this is its nature. Unknown

The moral of the story : You can’t outsmart human nature. Be realistic about changing vicious people; sometimes they even act against their own interests.

Poseidon is a Kafkaesque short story about ego and hubris by, well, Franz Kafka.

Poseidon was sitting at his desk working. The administration of all the waters was a huge task. He could have had as many assistants as he wanted, and in fact he did have a large staff, but since he took his job very seriously and went through all the calculations himself anyway, assistants were of little use to him. One couldn’t say that the work made him happy either; he only did it because it was his to do. Yes, he had often requested happier work, as he put it, but whenever they came back to him with suggestions, it turned out that nothing appealed to him as much as what he was doing. It was actually very difficult to find anything else for him. It was hardly possible to put him in charge of a particular sea, quite apart from the fact that the calculations involved were no less onerous, just more trivial, since great Poseidon was only ever in line for an executive post. And if he was offered a job in a different department, the very thought of it was enough to turn his stomach, his divine breath became restless, his bronze thorax quaked. Not that they took his complaints all that seriously: if a great power kicks up, then you have to be seen to give into him, even in the most hopeless cause; no one seriously thought of having Poseidon removed from office, he had been god of the seas from the beginning of time, and would have to remain such. The thing that most angered him — and this was the principal cause of his unhappiness in his job — was when he got to hear what people thought it involved, that is, forever parting the waves with his trident. And when all the time he was sitting at the bottom of the ocean up to his ears in figures, the occasional visit to Jupiter was really the only break in the monotony; a visit, moreover, from which he usually returned in a towering bad temper. He hardly ever clapped eyes on the seas, only fleetingly on his hurried way up to Olympus, and he had never sailed them as such. He tended to say he was waiting for the world to end first, because there was bound to be a quiet moment just before the end when he had signed off on his last calculation and would be able to take himself on a little cruise somewhere. Franz Kafka, Poseidon

The moral of the story : The only thing more insane than the modern office workplace is what we make of it. Too often, it’s our ego that’s keeping us from walking away.

Two Little Mice is a story with a moral about perseverance . In the 2002 movie Catch Me If You Can , Frank Abagnale, Sr. (Christopher Walken) receives the highest honour at his local rotary club. He tells the story at the beginning of his speech:

Two little mice fell into a bucket of cream. The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned. The second mouse, wouldn’t quit. He struggled so hard that eventually he churned that cream into butter. And crawled out. Frank Abagnail, Sr.

The moral of the story : It’s not over until it’s over. However, Mr Abagnale must have read the Chinese Farmer Story . In an act of foreshadowing, he ends the story by saying: “Gentlemen, as of this moment , I am that second mouse.” He was right. His good luck didn’t last much longer in the movie.

The Hanoi Rat Bounty is a story with a moral about entrepreneurial spirit and perverse incentives .

At the end of the 19th century, during French colonial rule, Hanoi was plagued by rats. Driven by the desire to modernise the city, the Governor-General instituted a bounty program. Citizens were paid a small amount of money for each rat they killed. However, given the health risks, the colonial government didn’t want piles of rat corpses to be handed over to officials. So instead they paid locals for every rat tail they brought in. The tails soon became an object of value. The rat hunters soon realised that they didn’t have to kill the rodents. A released rat with a cut-off tail could breed again and produce more valuable tails. Needless to say, the bounty failed to achieve the desired results. The rat plague was now worse than before. Based on the Story of the Great Hanoi Rat Massacre

The moral of the story : Beware of Cobra Effects and the unintended negative consequences of your intervention.

A Useless Life is a Zen story about wisdom and compassion .

A farmer got so old that he couldn’t work the fields anymore. So he would spend the day just sitting on the porch. His son, still working the farm, would look up from time to time and see his father sitting there. “He’s of no use any more,” the son thought to himself, “he doesn’t do anything!” One day the son got so frustrated by this, that he built a wood coffin, dragged it over to the porch, and told his father to get in. Without saying anything, the father climbed inside. After closing the lid, the son dragged the coffin to the edge of the farm where there was a high cliff. As he approached the drop, he heard a light tapping on the lid from inside the coffin. He opened it up. Still lying there peacefully, the father looked up at his son: “I know you are going to throw me over the cliff, but before you do, may I suggest something?” “What is it?” replied the son. “Throw me over the cliff, if you like,” said the father, “but save this good wood coffin. Your children might need to use it.” Unknown

The moral of the story : There is almost no limit to the compassion parents have for their children. Having kids makes you care for your family beyond your own death.

The Shepherd’s Boy and the Wolf is a classic story with a moral about lying . It’s the original moral story of the common phrase to cry wolf .

A shepherd-boy, who watched a flock of sheep near a village, brought out the villagers three or four times by crying out, “Wolf! Wolf!” and when his neighbors came to help him, laughed at them for their pains. The Wolf, however, did truly come at last. The Shepherd-boy, now really alarmed, shouted in an agony of terror: “Pray, do come and help me; the Wolf is killing the sheep;” but no one paid any heed to his cries, nor rendered any assistance. The Wolf, having no cause of fear, at his leisure lacerated or destroyed the whole flock. There is no believing a liar, even when he speaks the truth. Aesop’s Fables

The moral of the story : Always tell the truth. Or at least don’t lie.

St George in Retirement is a story about obsession . It’s a variation of the legend of St George and the dragon and was penned by Australian philosopher Kenny Minogue to illustrate the history of liberalism.

After many centuries of hopelessness and superstition, St. George, in the guise of Rationality, appeared in the world somewhere about the sixteenth century. The first dragons upon whom he turned his lance were those of despotic kingship and religious intolerance. These battles won, he rested for a time, until such questions as slavery, or prison conditions, or the state of the poor, began to command his attention. During the nineteenth century, his lance was never still, prodding this way and that against the inert scaliness of privilege, vested interest, or patrician insolence. But, unlike St. George, he did not know when to retire. The more he succeeded, the more he became bewitched with the thought of a world free of dragons, and the less capable he became of ever returning to private life. He needed his dragons. He could only live by fighting for causes—the people, the poor, the exploited, the colonially oppressed, the underprivileged and the underdeveloped. As an ageing warrior, he grew breathless in his pursuit of smaller and smaller dragons — for the big dragons were now harder to come by. Kenny Minogue, The Liberal Mind

The moral of the story : Not knowing when to quit is the first step of the descent into madness. Beware of St. George in Retirement Syndrome , the obsession with pursuing a laudable goal.

The Blind Men and an Elephant is an ancient Indian parable about objectivity .

A group of blind men heard that a strange animal, called an elephant, had been brought to the town, but none of them were aware of its shape and form. Out of curiosity, they said: “We must inspect and know it by touch, of which we are capable”. So, they sought it out, and when they found it they groped about it. The first person, whose hand landed on the trunk, said, “This being is like a thick snake”. For another one whose hand reached its ear, it seemed like a kind of fan. As for another person, whose hand was upon its leg, said, the elephant is a pillar like a tree-trunk. The blind man who placed his hand upon its side said the elephant, “is a wall”. Another who felt its tail, described it as a rope. The last felt its tusk, stating the elephant is that which is hard, smooth and like a spear. Encyclopedia of Perception

The moral of the story : Each of our perspectives can be true yet incomplete. More things can be true at once.

The very last of our stories with a moral is a kōan about the immensely difficult task of holding one’s tongue . A kōan is a puzzling Zen story intended to reveal a greater truth. But it’s as relevant as ever in the age of the social media pile-on.

The pupils of the Tendai school used to study meditation before Zen entered Japan. Four of them who were intimate friends promised one another to observe seven days of silence. On the first day all were silent. Their meditation had begun auspiciously, but when night came and the oil lamps were growing dim one of the pupils could not help exclaiming to a servant: “Fix those lamps.” The second pupil was surprised to hear the first one talk. “We are not supposed to say a word,” he remarked. “You two are stupid. Why did you talk?” asked the third. “I am the only one who has not talked,” concluded the fourth pupil. Source: Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones

The moral of the story : …

As opposed to logic, stories can mean different things to different people. The moral you take from one of our stories might differ. Perhaps you recognise something else in them depending on how the narrative relates to a personal experience. This is what makes the difference between a memorable life lesson and shallow fridge magnet wisdom. So feel free to collect, memorise and retell the stories; and distil each one into your own thought-provoking quote or aphorism about life .

Chris Meyer

I'm a writer, teacher & analyst with a background in languages, martial arts & failing at things. I collect and connect ideas while attempting humour. Here are 50 unbelievable facts about me .

• The Tenth Man Rule
• 25 Critical Thinking Quotes
• Four Stages of Competence
• The 48 Laws of Power
• Hierarchy of Disagreement
• Baloney Detection Kit
• Top 25 Interesting Ideas
• 5 Habits of the Master Thinker
• Orwell's Writing Rules
• 5 Structured Analytic Techniques

• Panchatantra Stories
• Motivational Story
• Moral Stories in English
• Fairy Tales

Recommended for you Refresh

10 Inspiring Moral Stories in English

Moral Stories in English- In today’s fast-paced world, it is crucial to teach children important values and life lessons from an early age. One effective way to do this is through storytelling. Moral stories for kids not only entertain them but also impart valuable lessons in a manner that is easy for them to understand.

In this article presents a compilation of diverse  moral stories in English  that are suitable for readers of all ages. Whether you’re looking for  bedtime stories  for your children or inspirational tales for personal growth, this collection has something for everyone.

We will explore 10 engaging and educational moral stories in English that can help children develop qualities like kindness, honesty, responsibility, and more. These stories are not only suitable for parents to read to their children but can also be shared in schools and other educational settings.

The Talking Birds

Once upon a time, two talking birds lived with their parents in a peaceful forest. One unfortunate day, a villager who had always been intrigued by these special birds managed to capture them. However, one of the birds escaped and embarked on a journey to find its parents. Along the way, it stumbled upon a hermitage where it was welcomed with kindness and provided with food and shelter. The bird lived happily in its newfound home.

Meanwhile, the other bird that was captured by the villager had a different fate. It encountered an explorer who was both amazed and annoyed by the bird’s ability to talk. The bird’s disrespectful behaviour irritated the explorer. Curiosity led the explorer to visit the hermitage where it discovered another talking bird. To the explorer’s surprise, this bird displayed polite manners and extended a warm welcome.

Moral of the Story: The company we keep influences our behaviour and attitude. Surrounding ourselves with positive influences helps us develop good qualities, while negative influences can lead to undesirable behaviour.

The Hare and the Tortoise

In a time long ago, a hare and a tortoise decided to race. The hare, known for its swiftness, ridiculed the tortoise for being slow. Eager to prove its speed, the hare accepted the tortoise’s challenge. As the race began, the hare sprinted ahead, confident of an easy victory. The tortoise, however, maintained a steady pace without getting discouraged.

The hare, feeling overconfident, decided to take a nap, thinking it had plenty of time to win. Meanwhile, the tortoise plodded along, never losing hope. When the hare woke up, it was astonished to see the tortoise near the finish line. Despite its speed, the hare had underestimated the determination and consistency of the tortoise. The tortoise emerged triumphant, teaching the hare a valuable lesson.

Moral of the Story: Consistency and perseverance often lead to success, even if progress seems slow. It is important to never underestimate the power of determination.

A Little Help From God

After a devastating shipwreck, a man found himself stranded on a deserted island. Feeling utterly alone, he prayed to God for help. Days turned into weeks, and yet there was no sign of rescue. Frustrated, the man built a small hut from the wreckage to protect himself.

Every day, he searched for food and anxiously scanned the horizon for any sign of salvation. One day, he returned to find his hut burnt to ashes. Utterly disheartened, he cried out in anger, questioning why God had forsaken him. Just when he had lost all hope, a boat arrived at the shore to rescue him.

Curious, the man asked the captain how they had found him. The captain explained that they had seen the smoke signal he had unknowingly created with the burning hut. The man realized that God had been answering his prayers all along, but in a way he had not expected.

Moral of the Story: In times of despair, it is important to have faith and trust in a higher power. Sometimes, help comes in unexpected ways.

The Elephant and the Ants

In a lush forest, there lived a proud elephant who often bullied smaller animals. One of its favourite targets was an ant colony, where it would playfully shower water on the ants. The tiny ants could only cry in response to the elephant’s actions. The elephant laughed and threatened them, believing it had complete control over them.

One day, the ants decided it was time to teach the elephant a lesson. They infiltrated the elephant’s trunk and caused immense discomfort. The elephant cried out in pain, finally realizing the consequences of its actions. It apologized not only to the ants but also to all the animals it had harassed.

Moral of the Story: It is important to treat everyone with respect and kindness, regardless of their size. Bullying or belittling others only leads to regret and remorse.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

In a quiet village, there was a mischievous boy tasked with watching over the village sheep. To alleviate his boredom, he would often shout, “Wolf! Wolf! The wolf is chasing the sheep!” Hearing his cry, the villagers would rush to the rescue, only to find no wolf. The boy found great amusement in their frustration.

After repetitively crying wolf, the day finally came when a real wolf approached the flock. In genuine fear, the boy cried for help, but the villagers, tired of his false alarms, ignored him. The wolf attacked the sheep, and the boy learned a hard lesson about the consequences of lying.

Moral of the Story: Lying breaks trust, and people are less likely to believe someone who has a history of dishonesty. It is essential to be truthful and trustworthy.

The Golden Touch

There once was a king named Midas who performed a good deed for a satyr, a spirit of nature. As a reward, the god of wine, Dionysus, granted him a wish. Midas wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. Excited about his newfound power, Midas touched various objects, turning them into gleaming gold.

However, his excitement soon turned to despair when he discovered that even food and loved ones turned to gold at his touch. Midas realized the consequences of his greed and begged Dionysus to undo the wish. The god obliged, reminding Midas of the importance of contentment and warned him to be careful of his desires.

Moral of the Story: Greed can lead to downfall, and it is important to find contentment in what we have rather than constantly seeking more.

The Farmer and the Well

A farmer needed a water source for his farm and decided to buy a well from his neighbor. However, the cunning neighbor refused to let the farmer draw water from the well, claiming that the well was sold, not the water within it. Feeling cheated, the farmer sought justice from the emperor.

The emperor summoned Birbal, his wisest courtier, to resolve the dispute. Birbal questioned the neighbor, pointing out that if the well was sold, the water belonged to the farmer. Faced with Birbal’s logic, the neighbor apologized and realized the consequences of his deceit.

Moral of the Story: Cheating may provide temporary advantages, but the truth always prevails. Honesty is the foundation of trust and integrity.

The Blind Girl

In a small village, there lived a blind girl who faced numerous challenges due to her disability. She longed to experience the world like others but was often met with pity and sympathy. One day, a wise man approached her and offered her a gift: a pair of magical glasses that would allow her to see the world.

Excited, the blind girl put on the glasses and saw the world in all its beauty. However, she soon realized that the glasses had a limitation—they only allowed her to see the physical appearance of things but not their true essence. Disappointed, she removed the glasses and embraced her unique perspective, finding beauty in the unseen.

Moral of the Story: True beauty lies beyond physical appearances. It is important to look beyond the surface and appreciate the essence of people and things.

The Farmer and the Butter

A farmer sold a pound of butter to a baker. The baker, suspecting that the farmer was not providing the full weight, decided to weigh the butter. To his dismay, the baker discovered that the farmer had indeed given him less than a pound. Angry, the baker took the farmer to court, accusing him of dishonesty.

In court, the judge asked the farmer if he had used a proper measure to weigh the butter. The farmer admitted that he did not possess a proper measure but instead used a scale. The judge questioned how the farmer measured the butter, and the farmer shared a clever method. He explained that he had been buying a pound loaf of bread from the baker every day and used the weight of the bread to determine the weight of the butter. The judge ruled in favor of the farmer, highlighting the importance of honesty and fair play.

Moral of the Story: Honesty is always the best policy. Cheating and dishonesty will eventually be exposed, and truth will prevail.

The Golden Egg

A farmer owned a goose that laid one golden egg every day. Initially content with the daily golden egg, the farmer grew greedy and decided to take all the eggs at once to amass wealth quickly. He killed the goose, only to find that it contained no more golden eggs. The farmer’s impatience and greed had cost him his source of wealth.

Moral of the Story: Impatience and greed often lead to loss. It is important to appreciate and nurture the sources of our success rather than seek immediate gains.

Moral stories for kids hold a valuable place in their development. These stories not only entertain but also teach important life lessons. The ten stories we explored today cover a range of virtues, including kindness, honesty , responsibility, and more.

By sharing these stories with children, we can instill in them the values necessary to navigate the complexities of life. So, gather your little ones, embark on a journey of learning and imagination, and let these moral stories shape their character for the better.

• Mail to friend

About author

About Author

English story, related posts.

The Greedy Dog Story For Kids in English

Best Moral Stories in English | English Stories For Kids |

The Secret Society of Smiling Sunflowers

The Farmer and His Sons | An eye-opening Story

Stories | Moral Stories | Fairy Tales | Short Stories Collection in English

Add comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

Copyright ©2025 EnglishStory . All Rights Are Reserved.

English for Students

• Confused Words
• What is NEW?
• Nursery Rhymes
• Beauties of English
• Intermediate Level
• Advanced English
• Plain English
• Your English Teacher
• Business Letters
• Difficult Words
• Social Letters
• Short Stories
• English Poems
• Poem Topics
• TOP 100 Poems
• English Songs
• Famous Quotations
• Business Dictionary
• Privacy Policy