The moral of the story is the key idea or principle the reader or listener can learn from the events, actions, and consequences within the story.
How do we explain “the moral of the story” to children?
Simple definition
Start with a simple definition.
"The moral of the story is the lesson it teaches us about how to be a better person or make good choices."
"It’s like the advice the story is giving us about life."
"It’s what the story wants us to remember and use in our own lives."
Examples
The easiest way to explain the moral of the story is to use examples.
From "The Tortoise and the Hare": "Slow and steady wins the race" teaches us to be patient and persistent.
From "The Boy Who Cried Wolf": "Always tell the truth" shows that lying can lead to trouble.
Common moral stories
Here are some more common moral stories.
The Lion and the Mouse
Moral: Kindness is never wasted.
A tiny mouse helps a mighty lion by freeing him from a hunter's net, showing that even the smallest creature can be helpful.
The Ant and the Grasshopper
Moral: Work hard today to be ready for tomorrow.
An ant works hard to store food for winter, while a grasshopper plays. When winter comes, the ant is prepared, but the grasshopper struggles.
The Golden Goose
Moral: Greed can lead to loss.
A farmer has a goose that lays golden eggs but kills it in greed, hoping to get all the gold at once, only to lose everything.
The Three Little Pigs
Moral: Hard work and preparation pay off.
Two pigs build quick and weak houses, while the third pig builds a strong one. When a wolf comes, only the third house stands.
The Thirsty Crow
Moral: Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
A crow finds a pot of water but can't reach it. By dropping pebbles into the pot, the water rises, and the crow drinks.
The Honest Woodcutter
Moral: Honesty is always rewarded.
A woodcutter loses his axe in a river. A god offers him a golden and silver axe, but he chooses only his own, earning a reward for his honesty.
The Giving Tree
Moral: True happiness comes from giving.
A tree gives everything it has to a boy as he grows up, teaching the importance of selflessness and unconditional love.
The Ugly Duckling
Moral: Don’t judge others by their appearance.
An "ugly" duckling grows into a beautiful swan, showing that beauty and worth take time to reveal themselves.
The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
Moral: Appearances can be deceptive.
A wolf disguises himself as a sheep to trick the flock but is caught when his actions give him away.
The Little Red Hen
Moral: You must work to earn your rewards.
A hen asks for help making bread but does all the work herself. When the bread is ready, she eats it alone, teaching the value of contribution.
The Magic Pot
Moral: Share your blessings with others.
A farmer finds a pot that doubles everything put inside. He shares his fortune with his village, teaching generosity.
Purpose of moral stories
Stories often help us understand what’s right and wrong or how to solve problems in life.
The purpose of moral stories is to teach important life lessons, values, and principles in an engaging and relatable way. They serve multiple roles in the personal and social development of children. Here are some of the key purposes:
Teach life lessons
Moral stories convey universal truths and practical wisdom about:
Right and wrong
Consequences of actions
Values like honesty, kindness, perseverance, and respect
Build character
Stories with morals encourage children to develop qualities such as:
Empathy: Understanding and caring about others' feelings.
Integrity: Doing what’s right, even when it’s hard.
Responsibility: Owning their actions and choices.
Provide guidance
Children learn how to handle challenges or moral dilemmas in real life. For instance:
"The Boy Who Cried Wolf" teaches the importance of honesty.
"The Tortoise and the Hare" shows that persistence and hard work lead to success.
Spark critical thinking
Moral stories often include challenges or decisions characters must make. This encourages children to:
Reflect on cause and effect.
Analyze the choices made by the characters and consider better alternatives.
Inspire positive behavior
Moral stories help students relate to their own lives.
The stories show the benefits of good behavior (e.g., being kind or truthful).
They highlight the consequences of negative actions (e.g., greed or lying).
Create cultural connection
Moral stories are often rooted in cultural heritage, helping children connect with their traditions, community values, and historical wisdom.
