Short stories

Mum, read me one more story, please...Okay, just a short one. Looking for "one more" bedtime story? Our short stories will entertain and enlighten children in just a few minutes. They're perfect when you need entertainment on the go, to fill a short wait, or when you're tired but want to round off the day with a proper happy ending.

Mio in Music Class

Mio in Music Class

5
 min
3
+
4.65

Read more about the experiences of this cute little elephant called Mio! Today during the music lesson, Mio learns the sounds made by different musical instruments, along with the children. Do you know the sounds of the different instruments too?

Friends from the Land of Eternal Winter

Friends from the Land of Eternal Winter

6
 min
3
+
4.64

Oliver is a little penguin who likes to play with his best friend, Minnie the seal. One day, when Minnie starts behaving strangely, Oliver sets out on a quest to find out what has changed. Can he accept his friend’s new friend? Learn more about friendships and jealousy in this story for very young children.

Dino Tales: How Three Friends Almost Didn’t Come Home

Dino Tales: How Three Friends Almost Didn’t Come Home

3
 min
3
+
4.62

A short tale about three dinosaur friends – Rex, Dacky and Tucky – that will not only teach you about different types of dinosaurs, but also about how important friends are!

The Sad Willow

The Sad Willow

5
 min
3
+
4.62

Another in a series of stories about Oaky the oak elf. This time, Oaky meets an old, miserable willow tree. With a little quick thinking and some help from a passing boy, he manages to cheer the willow up and show how useful and beautiful its branches are, no matter their age.

The Bear Who Couldn't Get To Sleep

The Bear Who Couldn't Get To Sleep

7
 min
3
+
4.61

Winter is coming and all the animals are settling down to hibernate, but this bear somehow can't get comfy. He needs a proper snow blanket. Grumpy and sleepy, he goes to the most unusual place: into the town, among the children. Will the bear finally manage to fall asleep?

Violet and the Snowflake

Violet and the Snowflake

6
 min
3
+
4.59

Violet cannot sit still. She's always running around, fidgeting, and even when she's sitting down, her thoughts always run through her mind. Adults only shrug their shoulders - until someone appears who can turn this apparent disadvantage into something useful...

Mio’s Classical Music Lesson

Mio’s Classical Music Lesson

7
 min
5
+
4.59

Come and listen to some classical music together with the Year 2 pupils. Under the guidance of their clever teacher, you can discover the many ways in which music expresses itself, and how it affects us. And of course, you’ll be able to enjoy the cheerful company of Mio, the most good-natured elephant ever!

Eat, Coat, Eat!

Eat, Coat, Eat!

5
 min
8
+
4.52

Here’s another story about the Turkish sage and joker Nasreddin Hodja. This time, it’s a tale about how he was invited to a lavish feast. What happens when a guest arrives at the banquet inappropriately dressed?

The Offended Lion

The Offended Lion

5
 min
3
+
4.48

A little bunny carelessly makes fun of the lion, the king of the animals. For this audacious offence, he is taken to court, where he faces a terrifying sentence. However, the lion behaves like a true king, and his judgment ends up teaching the little bunny a valuable lesson.

Walter the Water Sprite and Christmas

Walter the Water Sprite and Christmas

7
 min
3
+
4.36

When little Wally goes down to the pond with his father to look for a place to catch a Christmas fish, a very unusual surprise awaits them. Instead of a fish, they meet a water sprite there! The water sprite is not at all pleased that they’re thinking of catching one of his fish. Will they manage to come to an agreement?

The Borrowed Cauldron

The Borrowed Cauldron

4
 min
8
+
4.17

Meet Nasreddin Hodja, the legendary medieval Turkish sage and trickster, about whom many stories and anecdotes still circulate today in Turkey as well as in Central and Southern Asia. You’ll find there is always a grain of wisdom hidden in these short, humorous tales.

Why the Evergreen Trees Never Lose Their Leaves

Why the Evergreen Trees Never Lose Their Leaves

6
 min
3
+
4.82

Why do some trees lose their leaves in autumn and others do not? Find out in this warm winter fairy tale. Meet the cruel north wind and some helpful trees who take in a little robin with the broken wing. They receive an unexpected reward for their kindness!

The Wawel Dragon

The Wawel Dragon

5
 min
5
+
4.78

This Polish legend tells about Wawel Hill, under which a terrible dragon settled and ravaged the whole countryside. However, the people eventually managed to defeat the dragon, thanks to the ingenuity of an ordinary shoemaker.

The Beef Tongue

The Beef Tongue

5
 min
8
+
4.75

Even useful things can harm us when misused. A young helper named Orula is given the task of cooking the best and the worst meal on earth. He makes two of the same dish. How does he explain it? You’ll learn in this classic Cuban tale.

Good Night, Farm Animals

Good Night, Farm Animals

5
 min
1
+
4.75

This bedtime story takes us to a busy farm which gets calmer by the end of the day as its animals get ready to sleep. Children can wish good night to all of the animals and also prepare for their own sleep.

The Origin of Fire

The Origin of Fire

7
 min
5
+
4.75

Based on a legend from South America, this story shows the lives of people back in the days when they didn’t know fire and tells of how it was eventually discovered.

The Honest Woodcutter

The Honest Woodcutter

5
 min
5
+
4.74

Honesty pays off. A woodcutter was cutting a tree when his ax slipped and fell to the bottom of the mountain stream. Luckily for him, Mercury, the god of water, saw how miserable the woodcutter was and decided to help. But not before he had tested him.

The Dandelion

The Dandelion

7
 min
3
+
4.74

A little dandelion grows happily from a crack in a sidewalk and enjoys every day. Then mocking words of the flowers in a flowerbed make it wonder if it should really be ashamed of its ordinariness. But as it turns out, even ordinary flowers can bring a lot of joy.

Questions about

Short stories

How long does it take to read one of the short stories?

Most of our short stories can be read in about 4 to 7 minutes. The estimated reading time is shown in the story details, making it easy to choose a story that fits into your schedule.

Do the short stories come with activities or worksheets for children?

Many of our short stories are accompanied by fun, educational activities like interactive quizzes or free printable colouring pages that help children interact with the story on a deeper level and expand their creativity.

How do I know which short story is right for my child?

Each story on Readmio comes with a brief summary of key details that includes its themes, recommended age, and length. In the app you can also filter our story library by topic and by age group, or search by keywords. So it's easy to find something that's just right for your child. For example, if you're looking for a quick and light-hearted read for younger kids, About a Ladybird is a great choice, while older kids might enjoy more reflective tales like Hercules and the Potter. Need more tips? Check out our article about short bedtime stories!

Are there moral lessons or themes in the short stories?

Yes, even our shortest stories often explore important values like kindness, courage, empathy, and honesty, subtly teaching children life lessons through engaging storytelling.

Are these short stories accompanied by audio or sound effects?

Yes, Readmio short stories are enriched with sound effects and music that bring the tales to life, making the reading experience even more magical and engaging.

Are the short stories suitable for group activities or classroom use?

Yes! Many of our short stories, like The Grasshopper and the Ants, are perfect for group reading sessions in classrooms or at home. They make a great starting point for discussions about important values, like teamwork, forward-thinking, or helping others, and can lead well into other interactive activities.