In Italian stories such as 'Pinocchio', the main moral is about the importance of being honest. Pinocchio's nose grows every time he lies, teaching children (and adults) the negative consequences of dishonesty. In Greek stories, the myth of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection and perished, can be seen as a warning about excessive self - love and vanity.
The stories also teach about the consequences of greed. For example, King Midas, who wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. At first, it seemed great, but then he couldn't eat or touch his loved ones without turning them to gold. So it shows that excessive greed can lead to misery. Another moral is about perseverance. Odysseus faced countless obstacles on his journey home, but he never gave up, which is an inspiring lesson for all of us.
In the story of Icarus, the moral is about the danger of hubris or excessive pride. Icarus ignored his father's warning not to fly too high, and his overconfidence led to his downfall. So it teaches us to be humble and listen to advice.
The myth of King Midas is also morally instructive. Midas was granted the power to turn everything he touched into gold. At first, he thought it was wonderful, but soon he realized that when he touched food, it turned to gold and he couldn't eat, and when he touched his daughter, she also turned to gold. This story warns us about the dangers of excessive greed and how being too focused on material wealth can lead to great unhappiness.
The story of Hercules has multiple moral lessons. His twelve labors teach about perseverance and the ability to overcome great difficulties. Also, his struggle with his own temper at times shows the importance of self - control. Through his adventures, we can learn that one can redeem oneself through good deeds even if they have made mistakes in the past.
In 'The Tortoise and the Hare', the moral is that consistency and perseverance are more important than natural talent. Just like the slow - moving tortoise wins over the overconfident hare.
Many old Filipino stories teach about the value of hard work. For example, in stories where characters build their own homes or farms, it shows that through one's own effort, prosperity can be achieved.
Another moral is about kindness towards others. When the king shared food during the famine, it was a great act of kindness. It tells us that helping those in need is not only good for them but also for our own selves as it earns us respect and love from others. Old Urdu stories are full of such valuable moral lessons that can be applied in our daily lives.
In Punjabi old stories like Heer Ranjha, one moral lesson is the importance of staying true to your love, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Their love defied family and caste norms, teaching us that love can be a powerful force that should not be easily given up on.
The story of Urashima Taro teaches about the consequences of being away from home for too long. It also gives a sense of the mystery of time. It makes people think about how quickly things can change and how precious the time we have in our familiar world is. It's a warning about the unknown and the importance of cherishing the present.
In old Islamic stories, a common moral is the importance of kindness. For example, many stories show how helping the poor and the needy is highly regarded in Islam. It's a direct teaching of how we should behave towards others.