english story

The-Smartest-of-All

The Smartest of All | Akbar Birbal

The Smartest of All | Akbar Birbal Once, Emperor Akbar and Birbal fought. Birbal was angry and left the palace. While walking on the city streets, a man came running to him. The man stopped near Birbal and asked, “Are you the famous Courtier Birbal?” Birbal smiled and said, “I am Birbal.” What can I do for you? ” The man said, “I have travelled many miles to meet you. All along the way, people said that you are the most generous. You fulfil the wishes and demands of all who come to you. I am honoured to meet you!” Birbal at once understood that the man wanted money from him. He did not want to hurt the man. He thought of an intelligent answer. Birbal said, “The pleasure is mine. Would you be going back to your town by the same route?” The man was surprised by the question

Read More »
The-Inner-Child-in-Birbal

The Inner Child in Birbal | Akbar Birbal

The Inner Child in Birbal | Akbar Birbal Once, Emperor Akbar held a crucial meeting in his royal courtroom. All his courtiers came on time. Only one courtier was missing. It was Birbal. Akbar wanted Birbal to attend the meeting without fail. So, Akbar asked, “Where is Birbal?” “He will be late for the meeting today, Your Majesty!” said a courtier. Everybody waited for some time. Finally, Birbal came. Akbar was angry at him. He asked, “Birbal! Why are you late today?” Birbal said, “Your Majesty! My child was crying. I was trying to calm him down.” Akbar was not pleased with his lame excuse. He said, “It does not take this long to calm a child down.” You don’t know anything about kids.” Birbal humbly said, “Your Majesty! I request that you please teach me how to handle children.” Akbar then asked Birbal to act like a child. Birbal,

Read More »
Akbar-Birbal-and-the-thief-minister

Akbar Birbal and the thief minister

Akbar Birbal and the thief minister Akbar never made a big choice without talking to Birbal first, because he trusted Birbal’s intelligence and wisdom. One day, Akbar sat in his royal courtroom with Birbal and other courtiers. Akbar was listening to what the people in his kingdom had to say. Just then, a courtier came into the room and started to cry, “Your Highness! Last night, someone broke into my house and stole everything of value.” Akbar said, “How could that be?” You live in the safest place in the whole world. The person who stole must have been brilliant. Akbar turned to Birbal and exclaimed, “Birbal! This is a puzzle. I think the thief is a courtier, not someone outside the court.” Birbal came up with a plan that was to bring a donkey. The whole courtroom laughed. Birbal said, “This donkey can do magic. It will let us

Read More »
The-Smartest-of-All

Emperor Akbar Meets Birbal

Emperor Akbar Meets Birbal Emperor Akbar and his minister Birbal are famous across the land. Their stories are appreciated and enjoyed by all. When he was younger, Akbar liked to hunt a lot. One afternoon, Akbar and some of his courtiers hunted in the forest. But it was getting dark when the group decided to return to the castle. “Your Majesty, we’re lost!” cried a worried courtier. “Yes, but I can see a clearing in the distance,” said Akbar. Come with me!” When the group got to the open area, they saw that the road went in three directions. None of them knew how to get where they needed to go. A young man came along the path all of a sudden. Akbar asked him, “What is your name, young man? Which of these three roads leads to Agra?” “My name is Mahesh Das, Sir,” the young man said. These

Read More »
Three-Apples

The Three Apples | Arabian Nights

The Three Apples | Arabian Nights A young man named Jafar and his wife, Hasina, used to live in the city of Baghdad. Hasina was very pretty, and Jafar cared deeply about her. Hasina would think, “I’m lucky to have such a kind and loving husband.” Jafar would never say no to her when she asked for something. He gave her everything she wanted. They were happy and loved each other. One day, Jafar asked Hasina, “Is there anything I can do for you?” “You have already showered so much love on me,” said Hasina, smiling. Jafar said, “Anything you ask me, my dear. May be a hidden wish… just tell me. I want to fulfil all your dreams.” Hasina then said, “I need you to help me with one thing. But first you promise me that you will do as I wish. Only then I will tell you what

Read More »
The-Ninth-Statue

The Ninth Statue | Arabian Nights

The Ninth Statue | Arabian Nights Hundreds of years ago, Sultan Mustafa ruled a kingdom called Nasra in Persia. The people of the empire were proud of their sultan. He was a kind ruler. There was peace and prosperity all around the kingdom. The sultan had a faithful and loving wife. They led quite a happy life, except for one sorrow. And that was that they had no children! “I have all the wealth in the world. But even with my entire wealth, I cannot buy an heir to my throne,” the sultan would murmur. His only desire was to have a little child. With his wife, the sultan offered many prayers and asked for favors from the almighty. Then, at last, one day, the queen gave birth to a baby boy. The whole kingdom rejoiced. The sultan and his queen called their baby boy” Zakir.” Years flew by. Zakir

Read More »
Wicked-Witch-Wife

Wicked Witch Wife | Arabian Nights

Wicked Witch Wife | Arabian Nights Once, a wealthy merchant had to travel to far-off lands to sell his goods. While he was away, his wife stayed back home. So, the merchant would bring her expensive gifts in return. He did not know that his wife was actually an evil witch. Once, it so happened that the merchant did not return for five months. His wife got angry. She even thought the merchant had died, so she married another man. When the merchant returned, he felt sad to know all this. The wicked sorceress cast a spell on him and turned him into a dog! The merchant, now a stray dog, would wander here and there for the food. One day, a butcher gave him some pieces of meat, and the dog ate only the flesh and left out the bones. When the butcher noticed this, he was pretty amazed.

Read More »
Face-to-Face-with-Demon

Face to Face with Demon | Arabian Nights

Face to Face with Demon | Arabian Nights There once lived a poor trader. One evening, he was returning from the market. It had been a hectic day and the trader was feeling tired. As he crossed by a shady tree, he thought to rest for a while. So, he sat down under the tree. He had a small packet of dates with him. Leaning against the tree, the trader opened the packet and started eating the dates. After eating the flesh of the dates, he collected the seeds in his hand and threw them behind the tree. All of a sudden, the land started shaking and the tree began swaying. There was a loud frightening noise. The trader sprang up with a jerk and looked around. Right there behind him was the most hideous looking demon. As he jeered his sharp teeth out, the trader’s nerves froze with fear.

Read More »
The-Sheikh's-Son

The Sheikh’s Son | Arabian Nights

The Sheikh’s Son | Arabian Nights Long ago, there lived a Sheikh and his wife. They had no children. So, the Sheikh married for a second time. With his second wife, he was blessed with a son. The Sheikh loved his son dearly. Some years passed and the boy became a handsome young man. For all these years, the Sheikh’s first wife had been hating the second wife and her son. Now she even began to plot against them. One day, the Sheikh had to go on a journey. “I’ll be back before the Bakrid festival,” he told his son. I shall bring you nice gifts.” Then the Sheikh set out. At home, his first wife was waiting for such an opportunity. Finding the second wife and her son alone, the first wife charmed them with her magic spell and made them goats. The festival of Bakrid was nearing in.

Read More »
The-Monkey-Advisor

The Monkey Advisor | Arabian Nights

The Monkey Advisor | Arabian Nights Many years ago, there lived a poet. He was always searching for quiet, cozy corners to compose his poems. Once, he ventured into a forest. “Hmm, this would be the right place to get inspiration,” he thought. But he was unaware that he had entered into the domain of fierce demons. Everything around us seemed still and calm. But it was just the onset of something horrifying. The poet was engrossed in writing his poems. All of a sudden, a demon appeared before him! “Errr! Who’s that?” the poet shrieked. He had never anticipated any such thing. The demon was giant and ugly. He emitted fire through his nostrils. “Who are you, and how dare you enter our land?” roared the demon. The poet was frightened. He stammered, “I… I am a p… poet. I did not come here with any evil intention. I

Read More »
Khudadad-and-His-Brothers

Khudadad and His Brothers | Arabian Nights

Khudadad and His Brothers | Arabian Nights Once, in a prosperous kingdom, there ruled a sultan. He had three queens but no heir, and this was the cause of his worries. While the Sultan was sleeping one night, a fairy appeared in his dreams. “O Sultan, give the seeds of pomegranate to your queens, and they will surely give birth to your sons.” The Sultan woke up. “Ah, there is some hope,” he said with a sigh of relief. The following day, the Sultan went to his three queens and gave them pomegranate seeds to eat. In time, two of the queens were blessed with sons. But the third queen was not. “You are inauspicious,” the Sultan snapped at the third queen and banished her into the deep forest. After a few days, the third queen gave birth to a son in the woods! She named him Khudadad. Days went

Read More »
Magic-Horse

The Magic Horse | Arabian Nights Story

The Magic Horse | Arabian Nights Story It was a long time ago that a young man from India was traveling around the world on his magic horse. While roaming, he reached Persia, where he saw the beautiful palace of the Sultan of Persia. The young man landed his magic horse over the Sultan’s palace. The Sultan of Persia loved adventurers and always liked unique things. The Sultan was astonished to see the handsome young man and his magical flying horse. He asked the young man “O young man, where have you come from?” “I am from India,” replied the young man proudly. “Would you like to sell me this horse?” asked the Sultan again. “Yes, but only on the condition that you will marry the princess to me,” replied the young man. In an instant, the Sultan agreed to the marriage. “But first my son will ride on a

Read More »
Other Stories