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216 stories

Animal stories

Talking beasts, loyal dogs, clever foxes and the whole farmyard

Start with Aladdin and the Magic Lamp Surprise me
Animal stories

With 210 stories, this is the largest collection on the site, and it runs from four-minute Aesop fables to eleven-minute folk tales. The fastest way in is not to browse it but to pick the animal your child keeps asking for.

Animals have carried the world's oldest lessons since Aesop, because a child who would resist being told to share will happily learn it from a hedgehog. This is the largest collection in the library: fables, farmyard tales, woodland adventures and stories of animals who are braver than they look.

Where to start with animal stories

12 of 216 to start with. The full list follows.

1 min Ages 1–3 · Nursery Rhymes Baa, Baa, Black Sheep

A friendly black sheep has three full bags of wool to share. The animal sound, simple question and counting pattern…

 1 min Ages 1–3 · Nursery Rhymes Hey Diddle Diddle

A fiddling cat, a moon-jumping cow and runaway crockery begin the familiar nonsense, followed by new verses that yawn…

 1 min Ages 1–3 · Nursery Rhymes Hickory Dickory Dock

A tiny mouse races up a tall clock, hears it strike one and scampers straight back down. The tick-tock beat makes this…

 1 min Ages 1–3 · Nursery Rhymes Incy Wincy Spider

A tiny spider climbs, gets washed down by rain and starts all over when the sunshine returns. The hand actions and…

 1 min Ages 1–3 · Nursery Rhymes Mary Had a Little Lamb

Mary's loyal little lamb follows her all the way to school, where it makes the children laugh. The rhyme has a clear…

 2 min Ages 1–3 · Nursery Rhymes Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Old MacDonald's cow, duck, pig, sheep, hen and horse each add a new sound to the farm. Children can join in before they…

 4 min Ages 3–7 · Classic Tales Goldilocks and The Three Bears

Curious Goldilocks wanders into a magical forest and discovers a charming cottage. When she finds nobody home, her…

 7 min Ages 3–7 · Classic Tales The Gingerbread Man

A kind old woman bakes a delicious gingerbread man who springs to life and dashes off to explore the world. He meets a…

 7 min Ages 3–7 · Classic Tales The Tortoise and the Hare

In a lush valley, the speedy Hare challenges the steady Tortoise to a race. Hare's confidence soars, while Tortoise…

 7 min Ages 3–7 · Classic Tales The Ugly Duckling

A mother duck hatches a clutch of ducklings, but one egg is unusually large. When it hatches, the grey, scruffy…

 8 min Ages 3–7 · Classic Tales The Lion and the Mouse

A timid mouse and a mighty lion cross paths in the jungle. When the powerful king of the jungle finds himself in a…

 9 min Ages 4–8 · Classic Tales The Velveteen Rabbit

Velveteen Rabbit, a well-loved toy, dreams of becoming real through a child's affection. Guided by the wise Skin Horse…

Two hundred and ten is too many to browse at bedtime

Scrolling a grid of 210 cards at half past seven is how bedtime gets late. There are three quicker routes: pick an animal, pick a length, or pick a mood.

Pick the animal

Most children ask by species. The site splits the biggest ones out: fox stories for the trickster, dog stories for loyalty, bird stories for the clever ones, farm stories for the hens and pigs, and wolf stories when the request is really for a bit of danger.

Pick the length

Animal stories are the shortest things on the site on average, because so many of them began as fables. Little Red Hen is five minutes and funny. Dapplegrim and Goldilocks and The Three Bears are four each. If you have run out of evening, the five-minute stories page filters the whole site that way.

The talking beast is doing a job

Animals in these stories are rarely just animals. A fox is a way of showing cleverness without accusing anybody in the room of being sly, and a hen is a way of talking about who did the work. That distance is exactly why children accept a lesson from a goat that they would refuse from a parent.

Huffy Puffy Wolf is the clearest case here: the wolf's side of a familiar story, told in a calm mood and listed for ages three to seven. Old Sultan, at ten minutes, is about an old dog nobody has any use for any more, and it lands hard with a seven or eight year old. Our guide to morals in children's stories goes further into why the animal costume makes the lesson bearable.

The animal tales that are really adventures

Not everything here is a fable. Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, Beauty and the Beast and Puss in Boots all sit in this collection because an animal or a beast drives the plot, and all three run to six minutes or more.

My Sea Beast and the Bubble Garden Adventure is the one to reach for when a three to seven year old wants something big and friendly underwater, and Rabbit's Eyes is the gentle eight-minute wind-down at the other end of the same evening.

Choosing by mood rather than by animal

Every story on the site carries a mood, and in this collection the split is useful. The gentle ones — Henny Penny, Little Ida's Flowers, Moonlit Secrets of the Celestial Forest — are the ones to end on. The adventurous ones are better first, or earlier in the evening.

A practical order for a child who is wound up: one short funny animal story, then one gentle one, then lights out. Two five-minute stories beat one ten-minute story when nobody is settling.

The ones that sound like the end of the day

Bushy Bride at nine minutes and Prince Darling at five are both gentle in mood and both end quietly. Goldilocks and The Three Bears is four minutes and has the advantage that most children already know how it goes, which is exactly what you want in a last story.

Where to go for a particular animal
Your child asks forGo toStories
A fox oneFox stories19
A dog oneDog stories7
A bird oneBird stories14
Something from the farmFarm stories15
A wolf oneWolf stories8
A cat oneCat stories2

Every story in animal stories, A to Z

  1. Aladdin and the Magic Lamp16 min · Ages 5–8
  2. Baa, Baa, Black Sheep1 min · Ages 1–3
  3. Babiole8 min · Ages 5–8
  4. Beauty and the Beast14 min · Ages 4–8
  5. Bushy Bride9 min · Ages 4–8
  6. Chicken Licken8 min · Ages 4–8
  7. Cinderella11 min · Ages 4–8
  8. Dapplegrim4 min · Ages 4–8
  9. Giauna the Beautiful8 min · Ages 4–8
  10. Goldilocks and the FOUR Bears!8 min · Ages 3–7
  11. Goldilocks and The Three Bears4 min · Ages 3–7
  12. Goody Two Shoes10 min · Ages 3–7
  13. Gubbon Seer7 min · Ages 5–8
  14. Hans in Luck6 min · Ages 5–8
  15. Henny Penny8 min · Ages 3–7
  16. Hey Diddle Diddle1 min · Ages 1–3
  17. Hey Diddle Diddle, Little Red Hen9 min · Ages 3–7
  18. Hickory Dickory Dock1 min · Ages 1–3
  19. How Molo Stole the Lovely Rose-Red9 min · Ages 6–10
  20. Huffy Puffy Wolf8 min · Ages 3–7
  21. Incy Wincy Spider1 min · Ages 1–3
  22. Lily and the Lion5 min · Ages 4–8
  23. Little Blue Riding Hood7 min · Ages 3–7
  24. Little Girl’s Christmas6 min · Ages 3–7
  25. Little Gretchen and the Wooden Shoe7 min · Ages 4–8
  26. Little Ida’s Flowers8 min · Ages 4–8
  27. Little Red Hen5 min · Ages 3–7
  28. Little Red Riding Hood13 min · Ages 4–8
  29. Little Red Riding Hood (A Gentler Retelling)4 min · Ages 3–7
  30. Mary Had a Little Lamb1 min · Ages 1–3
  31. Moonlit Secrets of the Celestial Forest9 min · Ages 4–8
  32. Mudjee Monedo10 min · Ages 6–10
  33. My Own Self9 min · Ages 4–8
  34. My Sea Beast and the Bubble Garden Adventure8 min · Ages 3–7
  35. Old MacDonald Had a Farm2 min · Ages 1–3
  36. Old Sultan12 min · Ages 6–10
  37. One Eye, Two Eyes, Three Eyes7 min · Ages 6–10
  38. Prince Ariel4 min · Ages 4–8
  39. Prince Darling13 min · Ages 4–8
  40. Prince Yamato Take9 min · Ages 5–8
  41. Princess Belle-Etoile9 min · Ages 4–8
  42. Princess Hase, a Story of Old Japan8 min · Ages 4–8
  43. Princess Kwan-Yin10 min · Ages 6–10
  44. Princess Pink Knickers11 min · Ages 5–8
  45. Princess Rose and the Golden Bird9 min · Ages 5–8
  46. Princess Rosetta7 min · Ages 4–8
  47. Princess Susie11 min · Ages 6–10
  48. Puss in Boots14 min · Ages 4–8
  49. Rabbit’s Eyes10 min · Ages 4–8
  50. Rose of Evening9 min · Ages 5–8
  51. Snow White and Rose Red7 min · Ages 4–8
  52. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves15 min · Ages 4–8
  53. Son of the Island and the Turtle7 min · Ages 4–8
  54. Tamlane10 min · Ages 5–8
  55. The Amber Amulet of the Dragon Star8 min · Ages 5–8
  56. The Ant and the Grasshopper6 min · Ages 4–8
  57. The Ass and His Shadows8 min · Ages 3–7
  58. The Ass and the Lapdog6 min · Ages 5–8
  59. The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion6 min · Ages 4–8
  60. The Baba Yaga9 min · Ages 5–8
  61. The Bald Man and the Fly6 min · Ages 3–7
  62. The Bear and the Two Travelers9 min · Ages 4–8
  63. The Bird with Nine Heads7 min · Ages 6–10
  64. The Birdcatcher, the Partridge, and the Cock7 min · Ages 6–10
  65. The Birds, the Beasts, and the Bat8 min · Ages 3–7
  66. The Blacksmith and His Dog7 min · Ages 4–8
  67. The Bow and the Lyre4 min · Ages 3–7
  68. The Boy Who Cried Wolf6 min · Ages 4–8
  69. The Bull and the Goat6 min · Ages 3–7
  70. The Bundle of Sticks7 min · Ages 3–7
  71. The Butterfly5 min · Ages 3–7
  72. The Cat and the Mice6 min · Ages 3–7
  73. The Cat and the Old Rat11 min · Ages 4–8
  74. The Cat Who Could Eat So Much6 min · Ages 3–7
  75. The Chronicle of the Pancake8 min · Ages 4–8
  76. The City Mouse and the Country Mouse8 min · Ages 3–7
  77. The Cock and the Jewel8 min · Ages 4–8
  78. The Crow and the Swan7 min · Ages 4–8
  79. The Crow Peri10 min · Ages 4–8
  80. The Devoted Friend6 min · Ages 4–8
  81. The Dog and the Cook5 min · Ages 3–7
  82. The Dog and the Oyster4 min · Ages 4–8
  83. The Dog and the Shadow5 min · Ages 3–5
  84. The Dog in the Manger10 min · Ages 4–8
  85. The Dolphins, the Whales, and the Sprat5 min · Ages 5–8
  86. The Dragon Tamers7 min · Ages 4–8
  87. The Dwarf With The Golden Beard5 min · Ages 4–8
  88. The Eagle and the Arrow6 min · Ages 4–8
  89. The Enchanted Pig8 min · Ages 4–8
  90. The Enormous Turnip6 min · Ages 3–7
  91. The Faithless Parrot9 min · Ages 5–8
  92. The Farmer and the Cranes5 min · Ages 3–7
  93. The Farmer and the Fox4 min · Ages 3–7
  94. The Farmer and the Snake6 min · Ages 3–7
  95. The Farmer and the Stork5 min · Ages 3–7
  96. The Fiery Dragon11 min · Ages 5–8
  97. The Fighting Bulls and the Frog6 min · Ages 4–8
  98. The Firefly Code and the Starlit Path10 min · Ages 5–8
  99. The Fisherman and His Wife9 min · Ages 6–10
  100. The Fly and the Draught-Mule7 min · Ages 3–7
  101. The Four Wishes9 min · Ages 5–8
  102. The Fox and the Crow5 min · Ages 4–8
  103. The Fox and the Goat9 min · Ages 4–8
  104. The Fox and the Grapes6 min · Ages 4–8
  105. The Fox and the Leopard7 min · Ages 4–8
  106. The Fox and the Monkey6 min · Ages 4–8
  107. The Fox and the Pheasants5 min · Ages 4–8
  108. The Fox and the Stork7 min · Ages 3–7
  109. The Fox Without a Tail4 min · Ages 4–8
  110. The Friendly Frog5 min · Ages 3–7
  111. The Frog and the Ox7 min · Ages 3–7
  112. The Frog Prince9 min · Ages 4–8
  113. The Giant Who Had No Heart In His Body8 min · Ages 4–8
  114. The Gingerbread Man7 min · Ages 3–7
  115. The Goat and the Vine6 min · Ages 3–7
  116. The Golden Beetle8 min · Ages 4–8
  117. The Golden Goose13 min · Ages 4–8
  118. The Goose Girl19 min · Ages 6–10
  119. The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs6 min · Ages 3–7
  120. The Grasshopper and the Ants4 min · Ages 3–7
  121. The Great White Bear and the Trolls6 min · Ages 4–8
  122. The Happy Prince16 min · Ages 6–10
  123. The Hare and the Tortoise6 min · Ages 3–7
  124. The Hare with Many Friends7 min · Ages 3–7
  125. The Heifer and the Ox6 min · Ages 3–7
  126. The Heron5 min · Ages 3–7
  127. The Horse and the Groom7 min · Ages 4–8
  128. The Kingdom of the Ogres8 min · Ages 4–8
  129. The Lad Who Went to the North Wind10 min · Ages 6–10
  130. The Lark and Her Young Ones8 min · Ages 4–8
  131. The Lion and the Boar7 min · Ages 4–8
  132. The Lion and the Fox8 min · Ages 5–8
  133. The Lion and the Mouse8 min · Ages 3–7
  134. The Lion and the Statue8 min · Ages 5–8
  135. The Lion and the Three Bulls7 min · Ages 4–8
  136. The Lion, the Bear, and the Fox6 min · Ages 4–8
  137. The Lion, the Fox, and the Beasts10 min · Ages 5–8
  138. The Little Good Mouse9 min · Ages 4–8
  139. The Mad Goose and the Tiger Forest8 min · Ages 4–8
  140. The Mice in Council4 min · Ages 4–8
  141. The Mischievous Dog6 min · Ages 3–7
  142. The Missing Unicorn7 min · Ages 5–8
  143. The Monkey and the Camel6 min · Ages 4–8
  144. The Monkey as King8 min · Ages 5–8
  145. The Monkey’s Heart7 min · Ages 5–8
  146. The Moon-Cake6 min · Ages 3–7
  147. The Mouse, the Frog, and the Hawk10 min · Ages 5–8
  148. The Musicians of Bremen13 min · Ages 4–8
  149. The Nodding Tiger5 min · Ages 3–7
  150. The Nurse and the Wolf6 min · Ages 4–8
  151. The Oak and the Reeds6 min · Ages 4–8
  152. The Old Hound10 min · Ages 6–10
  153. The Old Lion and the Fox9 min · Ages 4–8
  154. The One-Eyed Doe8 min · Ages 3–7
  155. The Ox and the Frog6 min · Ages 3–7
  156. The Peacock and the Crane7 min · Ages 6–10
  157. The Peacock and the Fox6 min · Ages 4–8
  158. The Pied Piper of Hamelin17 min · Ages 6–10
  159. The Pied Piper… and BUTTERFLIES!10 min · Ages 5–8
  160. The Princess Mayblossom9 min · Ages 3–7
  161. The Princess Who Wasn’t8 min · Ages 4–8
  162. The Queen Bee8 min · Ages 4–8
  163. The Rainbow Bridge of the Galactic City7 min · Ages 4–8
  164. The Ratcatcher7 min · Ages 4–8
  165. The Raven4 min · Ages 6–10
  166. The Ridiculous Wishes7 min · Ages 4–8
  167. The Rose and the Butterfly7 min · Ages 4–8
  168. The Sapphire Crown of the Desert Moon8 min · Ages 5–8
  169. The Seven Foals6 min · Ages 5–8
  170. The Shepherd and the Lion5 min · Ages 4–8
  171. The Shepherd and the Sea5 min · Ages 3–7
  172. The Silent Flight of the Lunar Owl7 min · Ages 4–8
  173. The Six Sillies7 min · Ages 3–7
  174. The Six Swans14 min · Ages 4–8
  175. The Snow Man5 min · Ages 3–7
  176. The Snow Queen8 min · Ages 4–8
  177. The Stag and His Reflection5 min · Ages 4–8
  178. The Stag at the Pool8 min · Ages 3–7
  179. The Stones of Five Colours and the Empress Jokwa8 min · Ages 5–8
  180. The Story of the Old Man Who Made Withered Trees to Flower9 min · Ages 4–8
  181. The Swallow and the Other Birds4 min · Ages 4–8
  182. The Thief and the House-Dog4 min · Ages 4–8
  183. The Thieves and the Cock4 min · Ages 4–8
  184. The Three Billy Goats Gruff7 min · Ages 3–7
  185. The Three Golden Apples5 min · Ages 4–8
  186. The Three Robbers9 min · Ages 4–8
  187. The Tinderbox15 min · Ages 6–10
  188. The Tortoise and the Ducks6 min · Ages 3–7
  189. The Tortoise and the Hare7 min · Ages 3–7
  190. The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse8 min · Ages 4–8
  191. The True History of Little Golden Hood6 min · Ages 4–8
  192. The Twelve Wild Ducks7 min · Ages 4–8
  193. The Two Frogs5 min · Ages 4–8
  194. The Ugly Duckling7 min · Ages 3–7
  195. The Vain Jackdaw7 min · Ages 4–8
  196. The Velvet Paw and the Throne of Stars5 min · Ages 5–8
  197. The Velveteen Rabbit9 min · Ages 4–8
  198. The Wasp and the Snake9 min · Ages 5–8
  199. The Water Lily and The Gold-Spinners5 min · Ages 3–7
  200. The Weeds8 min · Ages 4–8
  201. The White Doe6 min · Ages 4–8
  202. The White Duck5 min · Ages 4–8
  203. The Wild Boar and the Fox9 min · Ages 4–8
  204. The Wild Swans10 min · Ages 6–10
  205. The Wolf and the Crane7 min · Ages 4–8
  206. The Wolf and the Lamb7 min · Ages 6–10
  207. The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids8 min · Ages 5–8
  208. The Wolf and the Shepherd8 min · Ages 4–8
  209. The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing6 min · Ages 5–8
  210. The Wonderful Sheep7 min · Ages 4–8
  211. The Yellow Dwarf8 min · Ages 5–8
  212. Thumbelina7 min · Ages 4–8
  213. Together We Are Good: The Day the Little Helpers Saved the Town7 min · Ages 3–7
  214. Tom Tit Tot11 min · Ages 4–8
  215. Twinkling Feet’s Halloween7 min · Ages 3–7
  216. Why The Animals No Longer Fear The Sheep7 min · Ages 4–8

Collections that share these stories

Ranked by how many stories they have in common with this one.

Adventure stories 118 shared Stories about big feelings 115 shared Forest and woodland stories 97 shared Gentle sleepy stories 53 shared Fairy stories 26 shared Folk tales from around the world 26 shared Fox stories 19 shared Farm stories 14 shared

Questions about animal stories

How many animal stories are on BedtimeStory.kids?

There are 210 in the animal collection, which makes it the largest on the site. They range from about four minutes to eleven minutes read aloud.

What is a good short animal story for a tired evening?

Little Red Hen at five minutes, Dapplegrim at four, or Goldilocks and The Three Bears at four. All three are listed for the younger end of the site.

Why do so many children's stories use talking animals?

The animal gives the lesson somewhere safe to sit. A child can judge a greedy fox freely, where the same point about a person would feel like an accusation.

Are the animal stories suitable for a three year old?

Many are. Henny Penny, Huffy Puffy Wolf, Little Red Hen and Goldilocks and The Three Bears are all listed for ages three to seven.