The story of Ganesha teaches us about acceptance. Despite having an elephant head, which made him look different from others, Ganesha was accepted and revered. It shows that we should not judge people based on their appearance. And his role as the remover of obstacles also gives us the lesson that we should face difficulties with courage and seek help from the divine or from within ourselves to overcome them.
The story of Krishna stealing butter has a different kind of moral. It shows the innocence and playfulness of childhood. But on a deeper level, it can also be seen as Krishna's way of teaching the people around him not to be too attached to material things like butter. His actions were a reminder that life should not be too serious all the time and that there is joy in simple, innocent acts.
Stories about the snake in Hinduism can teach about transformation. Snakes are often associated with change and renewal. Just as a snake sheds its skin, we too should be open to change in our lives. We should let go of old habits and ways of thinking that no longer serve us and embrace new beginnings.
Many Hindu short stories teach about dharma. For example, in the story of Rama, Rama always follows his dharma, whether as a son, a husband or a king. This shows that one should always uphold one's duties in life.
In many children Hindu stories, the moral of loyalty is prominent. For example, in the story of Rama and Sita, Rama's unwavering loyalty to Sita, even when she was in captivity, is a great lesson. It shows children that loyalty in relationships is important.
A common moral in these stories is humility. Take the story of Krishna. Despite being a divine being, he was very humble. He played with the other children in the village, stole butter like a normal child, and didn't flaunt his divinity. This teaches kids not to be arrogant. Moreover, the stories often convey the idea of karma. The good and bad deeds that characters do in the stories have consequences. For instance, Ravana's evil deeds led to his downfall. It makes kids aware that their actions matter.
The Bhagavad Gita, which is part of the Mahabharata story, teaches about one's duty (dharma). Arjuna was hesitant to fight in the war as it involved his relatives, but Krishna taught him that one must perform their duty without being attached to the results. It also imparts the concept of the immortality of the soul and how one should not fear death.
In Indian bedtime stories, one common moral is the importance of kindness. For example, in stories where a kind character helps others, it shows that being kind often brings good things in return. Just like in the story where the sparrow helped the elephant, kindness can create unexpected friendships and help in difficult times.
Indigenous bedtime stories from the Inuit often teach perseverance. Their stories set in the harsh Arctic environment show characters facing difficulties like long, cold winters. The characters who persevere through these challenges, like a hunter who doesn't give up during a long and difficult hunt, are the ones who succeed. This teaches children that they should keep going in the face of adversity.
In 'Sleeping Beauty', a possible moral is that love can break curses and bring new life. 'Rapunzel' can teach about hope and perseverance. Despite being locked in a tower, Rapunzel never gives up hope. And 'The Frog Prince' might teach about keeping one's word. The princess honors her promise to the frog, which leads to a positive outcome.
Some 'kuds bedtime stories' also teach about perseverance. Characters might face difficulties but keep going. This shows kids that they should not give up easily when they encounter problems in life, whether it's learning a new skill or dealing with a tough situation at school or with friends.
Many African bedtime stories teach about the importance of wisdom. For instance, in the Anansi stories, Anansi's actions often show the consequences of using wisdom in the wrong way or not sharing it. This implies that wisdom should be used for good and shared among people.