• We’re moving to our new website. It should be live soon. (Yay!)
• We have a new app, where stories have more pictures and fun narrations accompanying the text. Download the app. (Yay! Yay!)
• We’ve published our first book (Super Dooper Yay!). Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to know more.

And now the Long Version

December is shaping up to be an action-packed month at KathaKids. It is the culmination of nearly 15 months of efforts to bring value-packed, fun stories from Indian Mythology and Folklore to young digital natives.

Here’s what’s new:

Our Brand New Website

We started kathakids.com in 2016 with just 10 stories. Today, we have 150+ stories from various genres such as Mythology, Folktales, Tenali Raman, Panchatantra, Indian History, and more.

With a larger collection of stories, we felt it was necessary to rebuild our website from the ground-up to tailor a better experience for our users.

You will be able to view our new website in the coming few days. We hope that our new website design will make for a better reading experience and help you discover new stories with ease.

To stay updated with all the latest stories on KathaKids, please sign up for our newsletter here.

Our Storytelling App

We have also created an app which is live now for Android and Apple Devices.

The app is a complement to the stories you read on the website. The stories are broken up into multiple images and the text is accompanied by narration, which we have recorded with a supremely talented bunch of voiceover artists and sound recordists.

There are 60+ stories live right now on the KathaKids App.

We created this app with three key objectives:

1) To create a fun early reading experience for young readers, which will be a step towards creating a reading habit.

2) To present Indian tales in a modern new way

3) To add value to Screen Time (which we know all parents are concerned about).

Download KathaKids — The Storytelling App and tell us how we can further improve the experience!

We’ve got books

KathaKids has also taken a small step towards publishing. Last month, we launched our first book Funtales Of India in collaboration with the extremely talented Abhijeet Kini at ComicCon India.

We’re taking baby steps at the moment — and are shipping the book only within India.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated about more books. Or sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch.

Here’s wishing that 2020 and the rest of the decade shapes up to be super amazing for you and your kids.

More power to reading!

A New KathaKids Experience was originally published in Katha Kids on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Meanwhile, in the village, word spread that Sri Krishna was coming to their village. Villagers began to gather in Sudama’s cottage.

“Sri Krishna and Rukmini are visiting our Sudama’s house. We must make it fit for their visit,” said an elder.

“Let’s build a new home for our Sudama,” cried out a villager and all agreed.

The villagers worked day and night to build a big and spacious house, and decorated it with festoons. They brought new clothes and ornaments for Sudama’s family. They drew Rangoli (Kolam) in front of Sudama’s house and decorated it with flowers.

Sudama’s wife thanked the villagers for their affection.

Villagers lined up on both sides of the streets hailing Sri Krishna as he drove by. Sri Krishna stopped the chariot, jumped down and mingled with the villagers. Girls came running to him with dandiya and Sri Krishna danced with them.

At last, the procession reached Sudama’s house. Sudama’s wife brought water for Sri Krishna and Rukmini to wash their feet. Sudama wiped their feet dry with the cloth his wife gave him. His children fell at Sri Krishna’s feet.

“Bhabhi,” said Sri Krishna, ”I’m hungry. What do you have for me?”

Sudama’s wife smiled.

“Govinda, I offer you what you have given us,” she said.

Then she brought him a bowl full of butter!

Sri Krishna jumped with joy as Rukmini clapped. The villagers joined their hands in salutation as Sri Krishna put the butter into his mouth.

Read the story of Krishna and Kamsa here!

Story: Subba Rao | Illustration: Mohandas Marath
Colouring: Snehangshu Mazumder

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© 2016–18, Katha Media, All Rights Reserved

Krishna in Sudama’s village was originally published in Katha Kids on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The stranger headed straight to the palace. The guard outside the palace became alert. Tall, well built and with a thick moustache stretching from ear to ear and a huge helmet with two horns, he was a fearsome figure. Behind his back, people of Dwaraka called him Rakshasa, a demon, with enormous power, captured in a battle by Krishna, the Yadava hero. No doubt, he was devoted to his new Master, but the citizens of Dwaraka kept their distance.

Rakshasa frowned seeing the stranger approaching the palace. He was used to princes and kings arriving to meet his Master. He was glad to escort dignitaries to the courtyard of the palace. Never had he seen such a poor man approaching the palace. Intending to stop the unwelcome guest he stepped forward.

Just then, Sri Krishna came out of the palace. Seeing the stranger, he broke into a broad smile and ran to him, calling out, “Sudama, my friend, what a surprise!” Rakshasa froze as he saw Sri Krishna hugging the visitor! The visitor with tears of joy, hugged Sri Krishna calling him ‘Govinda.’

Hearing that a guest had arrived, Sri Krishna’s wife Rukmini came to the door. She brought water for the guest to wash his feet. Sri Krishna wiped his feet with the silken cloth he was wearing and made him sit on the swing. The two friends started talking about old times, as Rukmini sat close by fanning them gently.

Sri Krishna and Sudama were classmates in Guru Sandipani’s forest school. Patting his friend on the back, Sri Krishna said, “So you are married! Bhabhi must have sent something for me. Let me see what’s in your bag.”

Sri Krishna took Sudama’s bag and dug into it. He took out a small packet wrapped in cloth. Sudama smiled as Sri Krishna eagerly opened the bundle, watched by Rukmini.

Sudama smiled thinking of his wife he loved. Of late, he was thinking of his childhood mate, Govinda. He mentioned this to his wife. She urged him to go to Dwaraka and meet his friend. “You have been taking about your friend so long. You’d better go and meet him. He too will be happy to see you,” said his wife.

As he was about to leave, she gave him a packet bundled in a piece of cloth and said, “when you call on those you love and respect, you must give them something. Here is something I’ve put for your dear friend,” she said. Sudama thanked her and put it into his bag as he left for Dwaraka. He had no idea what his wife had given for Sri Krishna.

Now he would know, as Sri Krishna opened the bundle. It was poha, made from pounded rice!

Even the poorest of the poor manage to get some poha to fill their stomach. It is a poor man’s friend. What Sri Krishna saw in that poha was tremendous love his friend and his wife had for him. That made it divine. He eagerly stuffed his mouth with handful of poha as though he had not eaten for months! Sudama laughed with delight as Rukmini watched with a smile. Sri Krishna dipped into the packet and put into his mouth one more handful of poha with relish. As he munched poha rolling his eyes, Rukmini snatched the bag from Sri Krishna. “Spare something for me,” she said as Sudama burst out laughing.

Rukmini served a lavish lunch. Krishna himself served sweets to his friend. After lunch, Sudama wanted to leave. Both Sri Krishna and Rukmini urged him to spend a couple of days with him. “I want you to take us to your home. We want to meet Bhabhi,” said Krishna as Rukmini nodded her head in agreement.

Read the next part of the story here.

Story: Subba Rao | Illustration: Mohandas Marath
Colouring: Snehangshu Mazumder

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© 2016–18, Katha Media, All Rights Reserved

Krishna meets Sudama was originally published in Katha Kids on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

In one such class, I met a senior teacher, Mrs. Sasikala. She was a kind person and was a good teacher. She was part of the Municipal Department that looked after education. Her job was to ensure that every kid in her locality would attend school. She was our favourite teacher in the training sessions.

That’s why we were disappointed when she didn’t come to take our class for a couple of days. Then, much to our relief, she started taking our class again. She explained her absence — she told us she had gone in search of her missing students. “What missing students?” we all asked. Mrs. Sasikala then told us what she had been doing for the last two days.

“We try our very best to get all children to attend school. These children come from poor backgrounds. When a child is absent for more than three to four days, I visit their place to see what’s the problem,” said Mrs. Sasikala.

“This time two children stopped coming to my school. They were children of construction workers. I visited the construction site and learnt that some of the workers had moved to another construction site far away. The supervisor told me where to find them. So, I took a bus to that construction site far away. I found the parents of my missing students.”

“I was shocked to see my students working at the construction site, carrying bricks on their heads. I asked the parents why they had stopped sending their children to school.”

“Madam, we go where our work takes us. If we don’t work, we won’t have enough money to buy food. Now that we work here, how can we send the children to a school that is so far away?” the mother said.

“I told them I could find a school nearby. The next day, I took the children to the nearest Municipal School and got them admission there. Now the children are back in school,” Mrs. Sasikala finished her story with a smile.

We were all relieved to hear that those children were back in school. We felt very proud of our teacher who took so much trouble to get those children back to school.

Soon, the training session was completed. I went back to my school. On my return, I found one of my students had stopped attending school. She came from a slum across the railway track. That evening I found myself crossing the railway track, on my way to the slum, in search of my missing student.

Based on a first-person account narrated by Usha Char, a former school teacher.

Story: Subba Rao | Illustration: Kaustuv Brahmachari

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© 2016–18, Katha Media, All Rights Reserved

Back to school was originally published in Katha Kids on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

A stranger was on a pilgrimage to Kashi. One evening, he rested in a village. The villagers were kind and helpful. They offered him food to eat and a place to stay. As he got ready to leave the next morning, his host had a word with him, “As you go north, there is a village called Jhootagav — the village of lies. Avoid this village. You will not find a single kind soul there. The villagers lie, quarrel, and cheat each other. Truth has fled from that place.”

The pilgrim thanked his host and left. It was noon when he reached a village, where he rested under a tree. He did not know he was in Jhootagav.

A group of men decided to play a prank on the visitor. They lighted a candle in broad daylight and started walking towards him. “What are you doing here in the middle of the night?” they asked.

The pilgrim looked up — the sun was shining bright. He looked at the candle they were holding.

“You seem to be a traveller. Would you like to carry this candle with you?” asked one of the men.

“You have to pay for it. We will accept your gold chain,” said the other helpfully.

The third one forcefully snatched the chain as the first man thrust the lighted candle in his hand.

The pilgrim looked at the lighted candle in his hand. “Alas, there is so much darkness here,” he said.

The next moment, the tricksters were in a shock. It turned pitch dark. They could hardly see each other. The only thing they could see was the candle light, which was moving away from them.

From that day onwards, the village did not see a sunrise. Candles could not be lit. Jhootgav now became Andhergav, the village of darkness.

With no sunlight, no work could be done. No crops could be grown. Other villages shunned the villagers of Andhergav. No one ever entered or left Andhergav.

Months passed, or may be days — who could tell without the sun?

One day a child started crying. She was convinced it was Diwali. She wanted to light lamps. But no one could light anything in the village.

At that moment, the villagers saw a light flickering at a distance. It got brighter. It seemed to be moving closer. Then they saw a man holding a candle in his hand. He was the same pilgrim who had passed through that village.

Attracted by the candle in his hand, a little girl came running to him, “It is light. You are holding light, uncle.”

By then all the villagers had gathered. They watched as the pilgrim handed the candle to the child. “Let there be light in the heart, child,” he said softly.

The elders hung their heads in shame. The three men who had tricked the pilgrim fell at his feet begging for forgiveness.

The child broke into smile as she shouted, “Light! Light at last!”

Then there was dazzling light. The whole village was lit by the blazing sun. Villagers sank to ground, raising their hands in salutation to the sun. “Darkness gone. Light is here,” whispered an old woman.

The pilgrim meanwhile had disappeared. But Diwali had come to that village, which is now called Divagaon, the village of lamps.

Story: Subba Rao | Illustration: Kaustuv Brahmachari

Read more Diwali stories here.

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© 2016–18, Katha Media, All Rights Reserved

Stranger in the night — A Diwali story was originally published in Katha Kids on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Ben and Jenny were running in their school’s hallway. Unfortunately, they were caught by principal Stan. They were sent to his office, where they had a long talk. As punishment, Ben and Jenny had to write an essay on why they should not run in the hallway.

Meanwhile, in the city zoo, Droo the lion was thinking about freedom. He had stayed behind closed doors all his life. “How would it be if I was free to wander wherever I wanted?” he wondered.

The door-keeper opened the door to his cage and gave Droo food and water. Luckily for Droo, his phone rang at the same time. The doorkeeper ran outside to answer the phone and forgot to close the gate!

Droo immediately went out. The air smelled fresher outside the cage. He decided to take a quick stroll. But he quickly wolfed down his lunch before starting his adventure.

People would run and scream as soon as they saw Droo. “These people smile when they see me in my cage. They even click selfies with me. Why are they scared when I’m roaming around?” he wondered.

All the walking around made Droo thirsty. He found a fountain inside a school and decided to drop in for a sip. Yes, the same school which Ben and Jenny attended!

After he finished drinking water, Droo felt sleepy. He wanted a shady spot to take a nap. He found Ben and Jenny who were writing their essay. “Hey kids,” called out Droo the lion, “Do you know where I can find a shady spot?”

Ben and Jenny wondered if they should finish their essay or run. But they had read in their textbooks that lions couldn’t climb trees. So, they quickly ran to a tree and climbed up a high branch.

The tree had a nice shade. Just the kind of spot Droo was looking for. He immediately curled up and slept off.

When Ben and Jenny were sure the lion was asleep they ran to Principal Stan’s office and told him everything. Principal Stan called the zoo, and sent men to bring the lion back to the zoo.

When Droo opened his eyes he saw that some people from the zoo were standing near him. Droo smiled. He was going to get a ride back home. It was time for dinner.

Every night, at bedtime, Priti, a Katha Kids reader, reads a story with her two sons, Sahil & Ishir. Sometimes when the three get bored, they make up a story. The story starts with a single line. Each person then takes turns to add a single detail that moves the story forward. This story was developed by the three, written by Sahil, and edited with love by the Katha Kids team.

Illustration: Abhijeet Kini

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© 2016–18, Katha Media, All Rights Reserved

The lion and the kids was originally published in Katha Kids on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

One day, they noticed that the water in the lake was drying up. It hadn’t rained all year. Many animals in the forest were leaving the forest in search of water.

Bo and Mo decided to leave too. With a heavy heart, they came to say goodbye to Tom.

“But why are you saying goodbye?” asked Tom “Without water, there soon won’t be any fish in the lake. I too want to leave.”

“We would love to take you along,” Bo said sadly. “But you cannot fly. How will you come with us?”

“Oh, that’s not a problem. We just have to find a sturdy log of wood. You hold the log with your beaks and fly. I will hold on to the wood with my mouth. That way we can all leave together,” Tom said.

Mo looked worried, “That’s a nice plan. But Tom you love to talk. When we are up in the air you can’t open your mouth.”

Tom laughed, “I can keep quiet when it’s important. Let’s go guys! It’ll be an adventure.”

The three friends left the next morning. Tom was excited. He had lived all his life on the ground. Now he could see mountains from a height. Even the tall elephants looked tiny from the sky. He wanted to discuss all this with his friends. But remembering Mo’s words, he kept his mouth shut.

The three soon passed over a village. The villagers had seen geese fly before. But never had they seen geese flying with a log of wood between their beaks.

“What is that?” the villagers shouted, “Is that a ball they are carrying?” asked one villager.

“No, no. It’s a bundle of clothes,” shouted another.

“Hey, what will geese do with clothes,” laughed another.

Tom was confused. “What are these villagers blabbering?” he wanted to ask.

But the moment he opened his mouth, he dropped straight to the ground. He hit his head on a rock and fell unconscious.

When Tom opened his eyes, he saw Bo and Mo standing over him. Seeing Tom’s confusion, Bo spoke, “You fell when you opened your mouth even though we had asked you to keep it shut.”

“The villagers were kind. They took care of you and then left you near a lake,” said Mo.

Tom looked around. They were at a beautiful lake.

“I think this is a nice place to call home, isn’t it?” the geese asked Tom.

But Tom had learnt his lesson. He simply nodded without opening his mouth.

Adapted from The Panchatantra.

Read more Panchatantra stories here.

Story: Krishna Rao | Illustration: The Quirk Box

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© 2016–18, Katha Media, All Rights Reserved

Panchatantra Tales: The talkative turtle was originally published in Katha Kids on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

He would pick a basketball one week, a badminton racket the other, and even a tennis ball at times. But the poor baseball bat would never get picked. Over time, the baseball bat grew old and bored.

One weekend, John’s cousins came over to his house. As their mommies and daddies sat down to have a chat, the kids grew bored. One of cousins perked up. “Hey John, let’s head out to the park and play baseball,” he said.

“Guys, I don’t think I have a bat,” said John sadly.

“Then what’s this?” the cousin asked with a smile pulling the baseball bat from a dusty corner.

John smiled, “My dad got me that baseball bat. I never used it and forgotten all about it. But I don’t know how to play.”

“We will teach you!” his cousins said as they ran out happily.

The baseball bat was very happy. It had been so long since he had been out in the sun. The kids played baseball all afternoon.

In fact, John liked baseball so much, he did not want to stop when they were done. Baseball was now John’s favorite sport. The baseball bat got taken out every weekend.

Now the only problem was that the basketball was bored.

Every night, at bedtime, Priti, a Katha Kids reader, reads a story with her two sons, Sahil & Ishir. Sometimes when the three get bored, they make up a story. The story starts with a single line. Each person then takes turns to add a single detail that moves the story forward. This story was developed by the three of them, written by Sahil, and edited with love by the Katha Kids team.

Illustration: Abhijeet Kini

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© 2016–18, Katha Media, All Rights Reserved

The baseball bat was originally published in Katha Kids on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Porus had heard of Alexander, King of Macedonia, near far away Greece. He was a great warrior who had conquered large parts of Egypt and even defeated the mighty Persian Empire. Paurava’s spies had warned the court of Alexander’s march towards their borders. Many kings along the way had meekly submitted to Alexander without a fight. But King Porus had other ideas.

“Tell your king that we will meet him in the battlefield,” he said with quiet confidence.

Alexander’s response was swift. He marched to the banks of the Jhelum. The river was full and swift due to heavy rains. There was only one spot in the river which was shallow enough for a crossing. Porus set up his camp at this spot.

Alexander was wary of taking on Porus from the front. While the Macedonian army had won many battles, they had never faced war elephants in a battle before. Porus had many such elephants in his army.

“We must take him by surprise,” Alexander said to his generals. “Find me another spot to cross the river.”

The generals came back with news of another spot up river. One night, under the cover of darkness, Alexander led a small section of his army to the other spot. He crossed over to the other side without opposition.

As soon as he got wind of Alexander’s move, Porus sent part of his army to fight off the attackers. But the Macedonian warriors defeated them and mounted an attack on Porus’ main army.

Meanwhile, the remaining part of Alexander’s army crossed over the river. Thus encircled, Porus, who stood 7 feet tall, sat atop his mighty elephant, and encouraged his soldiers to fight. The battle grew fierce and the Macedonians gained an upper hand.

But Porus refused to give up even as his men panicked. He continued to fight like a man possessed, facing spears thrown at him from all sides. He was struck with spears all over the body. Exhausted as he collapsed, his elephant bent its knee and brought Porus to the ground. It then gently pulled the spears from his body, even as Geeks surrounded the wounded king.

Porus was brought to Alexander. The Greek conqueror looked at Porus with amazement. He had not met any other warrior like Porus before.

“How do you wished to be treated?” Alexander asked Porus.

“Like a king,” said Porus.

“What do you mean?” asked Alexander.

“When I said, ‘Like a King’, everything was said,” Porus replied.

Alexander got up, walked up to Porus and shook his hand warmly.

At last the Macedonian world conqueror had found his match in the Indian king.

Based on ‘Plutarch’s Lives’

Story: Krishna Rao | Illustration: Dream Computers

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© 2016–18, Katha Media, All Rights Reserved

Porus the fearless was originally published in Katha Kids on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Jatin’s mother saw the dog chasing her son. She called out to him — “Jatin, stop.”

Hearing his mother’s voice, Jatin slowed down.

“Stop running. Turn and face the dog,” his mother ordered.

Such was the magic in her voice, Jatin found himself turning back and facing the dog. The moment Jatin stopped running, the dog stopped too. When he turned and faced it, the dog stopped barking and quietly walked away.

Mother said to Jatin, “Never run away from a situation, my son. Always face it. You will be victorious.”

When Jatin grew up, he once took a walk through a forest with his friends. A tiger came at them from nowhere. Jatin’s companions fled in fear. But Jatin stood his ground and fought the tiger singlehandedly. Later, when his friends returned with help, they found Jatin bleeding with wounds inflicted by the Royal Bengal Tiger. The animal was mortally wounded. Since that day, he came to be known as Bagha Jatin.

Story: Subba Rao | Illustration: Kaustuv Brahmachari

Speaking about his life mission, Jatindranath Mukherjee said, “Amra morbo, jagat jagbe” — “We shall die to awaken the nation.”

Jatindranath Mukherjee (1879 –1915), fought for freedom of the country and died a martyr.

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© 2016–18, Katha Media, All Rights Reserved

When Jatin stopped running was originally published in Katha Kids on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.