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 Beef Tongue

The Beef Tongue

5
 min
8
+
4.71

Even useful things can harm us when misused. A young helper named Orula is given the task of cooking the best and the worst meal on earth. He makes two of the same dish. How does he explain it? You’ll learn in this classic Cuban tale.

The Origin of Fire

The Origin of Fire

7
 min
5
+
4.71

Based on a legend from South America, this story shows the lives of people back in the days when they didn’t know fire and tells of how it was eventually discovered.

Deer Fur

Deer Fur

5
 min
5
+
4.71

The legend explains how deer happen to have that discreetly camouflaged golden colour in their fur. Before, it was beautifully radiant and they were easy prey. But a chance encounter helped them lead much calmer lives.

Agatha and Margaret at the Lake

Agatha and Margaret at the Lake

6
 min
1
+
4.69

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.

Monkey-Business

Monkey-Business

5
 min
3
+
4.69

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.

Roamer, Scoot, and the Ants

Roamer, Scoot, and the Ants

5
 min
3
+
4.67

When Scoot, the big black dog, hears a roar in the yard, he comes to help at once. But he soon finds out it was just his friend, Roamer, who'd discovered an anthill for the first time. You can also learn about the life of ants in this fairy tale for the little ones.

The Peacock and the Crane

The Peacock and the Crane

5
 min
5
+
4.66

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.

The River

The River

7
 min
3
+
4.66

Meet a friendly river, listen to its story and join it on its journey through the countryside. This peaceful story is a perfect bedtime read that teaches children about nature’s water cycles.

The Sad Scooter

The Sad Scooter

6
 min
1
+
4.65

The new pink scooter is the best gift Becky could have wished for, but as the time goes by, she uses it less and less, until it spends most time left in a corner. With the help of her mother, Becky learns an important lesson: things we don’t use anymore can make other people happy and become useful once again.

Charlie and the Dark

Charlie and the Dark

5
 min
3
+
4.64

In this story, the dark is actually afraid of the light. It’s up to young Charlie to reassure the dark that it has nothing to worry about. He achieves this by showing the dark that it has a magic of its own and that the light cannot hurt it. The dark could then relax, which made them both happy.

The Grasshopper and the Ants

The Grasshopper and the Ants

5
 min
5
+
4.63

This version of Aesop's fable teaches us that we always have to think about the future. When the young grasshopper saw the ants stocking up for the winter in the middle of the summer, it made her laugh. How could anyone work when there was such good weather outside? But the days passed, and soon the heat and sunlight were replaced by cold and snow. And while the ants had things ready, the grasshopper had to wait for anyone who’d feel sorry for it.

The Evil Sons

The Evil Sons

5
 min
8
+
4.63

This Indian story is about an old man who, at the end of his life, carefully divides all his property between three sons. Sadly for him, he receives no gratitude from them at all in return. Annoyed, the old man eventually comes up with a way to give his ungrateful sons the lesson they truly deserve.

New Year’s Eve for the Birds!

New Year’s Eve for the Birds!

7
 min
3
+
4.62

The last day of the year is fast approaching, and while people always look forward to a spectacular fireworks display, the traditional celebrations distress the animals — the blasts terrify them and endanger their lives. Not wishing to face it any more, the local birds plan to escape the city en masse. But just as they fly off, they’re (happily) taken by surprise.

The Fox, the Rabbit, and the Owl

The Fox, the Rabbit, and the Owl

7
 min
3
+
4.62

Fiona the fox is annoyed that she can’t draw as nicely as her other forest friends, even though she tries very hard. But when Olive the owl has an accident, Fiona doesn’t hesitate to assist, dashing to Olive’s aid and helping her friend. As a result, Fiona realises that her particular skills lie elsewhere…

How Spring Begins

How Spring Begins

5
 min
3
+
4.61

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 Clever Frog

The Clever Frog

5
 min
1
+
4.61

Giuseppe the frog may be small but he is very clever – in fact, he considers himself the smartest frog in the pond! However, his pride and unwillingness to take any advice from others causes him a lot of trouble in the end.

The North Wind and the Sun

The North Wind and the Sun

5
 min
3
+
4.56

This version of Aesop's fable teaches that peace and a smile can help you achieve more than anger and strength. The North wind and the sun couldn’t figure out who was stronger. In the end, they decide that the first one to take the coat off the traveller who was walking along the way would win.

The Russet Dog

The Russet Dog

5
 min
5
+
4.56

This Celtic tale brings you a merry story of a savvy fox. When her beautiful russet coat becomes a home for annoying fleas, the fox thinks of a clever way how to get rid of them.

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.