Short stories

Mum, read me one more story, please...Okay, just a short one. Looking for "one more" bedtime story? Our short stories will entertain and enlighten children in just a few minutes. They're perfect when you need entertainment on the go, to fill a short wait, or when you're tired but want to round off the day with a proper happy ending.

The Bear Who Couldn't Get To Sleep

The Bear Who Couldn't Get To Sleep

7
 min
3
+
4.62

Winter is coming and all the animals are settling down to hibernate, but this bear somehow can't get comfy. He needs a proper snow blanket. Grumpy and sleepy, he goes to the most unusual place: into the town, among the children. Will the bear finally manage to fall asleep?

The Kind Knight With the Golden Cloak

The Kind Knight With the Golden Cloak

6
 min
5
+
4.59

Do you know the story of St. Martin and why we still remember him today? Take a trip back in time with us to explore this legend about the kindness of the human heart, about generosity and helping others.

Kindly Taxi Maxi

Kindly Taxi Maxi

8
 min
5
+
4.59

Every day, taxi Maxi takes people where they need to go. He truly enjoys driving through the streets and scanning the lovely vistas. But he also likes to chat with the passengers, and lately everyone's always in such a hurry to get somewhere. It’s as if people have forgotten to enjoy the present moment. When a particularly distressed gentleman gets into his taxi, Maxi notices the man’s frustration and decides to make his life a little happier.

Mio’s Classical Music Lesson

Mio’s Classical Music Lesson

7
 min
5
+
4.59

Come and listen to some classical music together with the Year 2 pupils. Under the guidance of their clever teacher, you can discover the many ways in which music expresses itself, and how it affects us. And of course, you’ll be able to enjoy the cheerful company of Mio, the most good-natured elephant ever!

The Offended Lion

The Offended Lion

5
 min
3
+
4.51

A little bunny carelessly makes fun of the lion, the king of the animals. For this audacious offence, he is taken to court, where he faces a terrifying sentence. However, the lion behaves like a true king, and his judgment ends up teaching the little bunny a valuable lesson.

Walter the Water Sprite and Christmas

Walter the Water Sprite and Christmas

7
 min
3
+
4.35

When little Wally goes down to the pond with his father to look for a place to catch a Christmas fish, a very unusual surprise awaits them. Instead of a fish, they meet a water sprite there! The water sprite is not at all pleased that they’re thinking of catching one of his fish. Will they manage to come to an agreement?

The Borrowed Cauldron

The Borrowed Cauldron

4
 min
8
+
4.17

Meet Nasreddin Hodja, the legendary medieval Turkish sage and trickster, about whom many stories and anecdotes still circulate today in Turkey as well as in Central and Southern Asia. You’ll find there is always a grain of wisdom hidden in these short, humorous tales.

Frost

Frost

5
 min
3
+
4.84

This winter fairy tale for the youngest children is about an unhappy boy named Jake. He has to stay in bed because of the flu, so the only thing he can do is look through the window at his friends skating on the lake. But then the magical Frost appears outside of the window and cheers Jake up with his magic brush.

Why the Evergreen Trees Never Lose Their Leaves

Why the Evergreen Trees Never Lose Their Leaves

6
 min
3
+
4.82

Why do some trees lose their leaves in autumn and others do not? Find out in this warm winter fairy tale. Meet the cruel north wind and some helpful trees who take in a little robin with the broken wing. They receive an unexpected reward for their kindness!

John’s Fable

John’s Fable

5
 min
5
+
4.82

This is a story from a collection of Slovak folk tales. The resourceful servant John wins a chest of coins from his master. His master, being bored, had offered it to anyone who could make up a story so unbelievable that they wouldn’t even believe themselves as they spoke. Everyone who tried had left without success. John, his servant, is the last one to give it a try.

The Stag and His Reflection

The Stag and His Reflection

4
 min
5
+
4.8

What’s the most beautiful is not always the most useful. The majestic stag can’t help looking at his antlers on the flat watery surface of the forest lake and admiring their beauty. At the same time though, having noticed his long and thin legs, he doesn’t like them at all. However, he doesn’t know yet that a hungry lion is watching him. To learn what happens next, read the fable.

The Peacock and the Crane

The Peacock and the Crane

5
 min
5
+
4.78

Nature takes something from us, and gives something in return. The peacock is so obsessed with its own beauty that over time it begins to completely ignore the other animals. They aren't beautiful enough for it to talk to them. They decide to teach it a small lesson.

How Spring Begins

How Spring Begins

5
 min
3
+
4.76

The sun’s rays will wake up something in the ground... What could it be? You and your children can find out what the arrival of spring looks like in the countryside. This short spring fairy tale, which is suitable even for the little ones, will help you.

The Dandelion

The Dandelion

7
 min
3
+
4.76

A little dandelion grows happily from a crack in a sidewalk and enjoys every day. Then mocking words of the flowers in a flowerbed make it wonder if it should really be ashamed of its ordinariness. But as it turns out, even ordinary flowers can bring a lot of joy.

Agatha and Margaret at the Lake

Agatha and Margaret at the Lake

6
 min
1
+
4.74

A cheerful story about animals and nature for very young children. Twin sisters Agatha and Margaret go on a trip to a lake, get to know its inhabitants and learn more new words from their mother.

The Honest Woodcutter

The Honest Woodcutter

5
 min
5
+
4.74

Honesty pays off. A woodcutter was cutting a tree when his ax slipped and fell to the bottom of the mountain stream. Luckily for him, Mercury, the god of water, saw how miserable the woodcutter was and decided to help. But not before he had tested him.

Good Night, Farm Animals

Good Night, Farm Animals

5
 min
1
+
4.72

This bedtime story takes us to a busy farm which gets calmer by the end of the day as its animals get ready to sleep. Children can wish good night to all of the animals and also prepare for their own sleep.

Monkey-Business

Monkey-Business

5
 min
3
+
4.72

As with many younger siblings, Clive feels like he’s a nuisance to his big sister. And indeed, Frances finally reaches her wit’s end with him. But then circumstances change, causing Frances to realise that her little brother is actually pretty great after all.

Questions about

Short stories

How long does it take to read one of the short stories?

Most of our short stories can be read in about 4 to 7 minutes. The estimated reading time is shown in the story details, making it easy to choose a story that fits into your schedule.

Do the short stories come with activities or worksheets for children?

Many of our short stories are accompanied by fun, educational activities like interactive quizzes or free printable colouring pages that help children interact with the story on a deeper level and expand their creativity.

How do I know which short story is right for my child?

Each story on Readmio comes with a brief summary of key details that includes its themes, recommended age, and length. In the app you can also filter our story library by topic and by age group, or search by keywords. So it's easy to find something that's just right for your child. For example, if you're looking for a quick and light-hearted read for younger kids, About a Ladybird is a great choice, while older kids might enjoy more reflective tales like Hercules and the Potter. Need more tips? Check out our article about short bedtime stories!

Are there moral lessons or themes in the short stories?

Yes, even our shortest stories often explore important values like kindness, courage, empathy, and honesty, subtly teaching children life lessons through engaging storytelling.

Are these short stories accompanied by audio or sound effects?

Yes, Readmio short stories are enriched with sound effects and music that bring the tales to life, making the reading experience even more magical and engaging.

Are the short stories suitable for group activities or classroom use?

Yes! Many of our short stories, like The Grasshopper and the Ants, are perfect for group reading sessions in classrooms or at home. They make a great starting point for discussions about important values, like teamwork, forward-thinking, or helping others, and can lead well into other interactive activities.

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