Simple Mythical Stories of Ram, Shiva, and Ganesha for Young Kids
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Mythology can be big and complicated, but when we read mythology story books to small children, we enter the world of magic, of sweet teachings, of good heroes, of godly adventures. In this blog, we will discuss three basic mythical tales; one on Lord Ram, one on Lord Shiva and one on Lord Ganesha. These tales are also related to the type of collection that you will get in the Oswaal Books Lil Legends Mythical Festive India series.
Why These Stories Matter to Kids (and Parents)
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Benefit for Kids |
How Parents Can Use Them |
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Moral Values: Stories of Ram teach duty and kindness; Shiva’s stories teach compassion and strength; Ganesha’s tales teach cleverness and respect. |
Read aloud at bedtime or during quiet moments, and then talk about what your child understood. |
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Cultural Connection: These myths form a part of India’s rich heritage and help children feel connected to their roots. |
Use the stories to discuss festivals (like Ganesh Chaturthi) or family traditions. |
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Imaginative Play: The vivid characters and symbolic elements (like Shiva’s trident, Ganesha’s elephant head) spark creativity. |
Encourage your child to draw, role-play, or ask “what if” questions about the stories. |
1. Lord Ram Story — A Tale of Honor and Kindness
Lord Ram is one of the most popular characters in Indian mythology. He is reputed to be generous, courageous, and never doing wrong things.
The Story:
There was a time when a young prince by the name of Ram was living in the kingdom of Ayodhya. He was intelligent, affectionate and never hesitant to help people. Ram was married to Sita and has a brother Lakshman who was very loyal.
A significant event in his life was when he was exiled into the forest during many years due to a promise made by his father. Although this was extremely difficult, Ram accepted the exile without anger, because he believed in keeping his word.
During his exile, Sita was taken away by a demon king. Ram, through the help of his close friend Hanuman and numerous other friends, went on a great mission to save her. He was brave, patient, and tactical in his way of conquering numerous difficulties. Eventually, he overcame the demon king, saved Sita, and went back to Ayodhya to be a wise and just king.
Why It’s Good for Kids:
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Teaches the value of dharma (doing the right thing)
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Shows how love, teamwork, and trust help solve big problems
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Encourages children to be responsible and kind
This simple version of the lord ram story makes it perfect for story books for kids — even young children can understand and be inspired by his virtues.
2. Lord Shiva Story — A Tale of Calm Power and Compassion
One of the strongest gods in Indian mythology is Lord Shiva. He is remembered as a calm person, deeply meditated, fierce in his love when necessary. A kind shiva story book often shows him in gentle ways, full of wisdom.
The Story:
Shiva resides on Mount Kailash with his wife Parvati. He is powerful but much of his time is spent in deep meditation, and this shows that a he is strong as well as peaceful.
One straightforward story is of Parvati being lonely. She creates a young boy of clay (or sandalwood paste) and brings him to life with much love. That boy is Ganesha. Parvati requests Ganesha to keep watch over the door as she takes a bath. Ganesha does not know who Shiva is, and when he tries to enter, he is stopped by Ganesha. Shiva gets furious and in the heat of the moment, he cuts off Ganesha’s head. Parvati is heartbroken with this event. To resolve this, Shiva gently attaches a new head, that of an elephant, to the body of Ganesha and thus Ganesha is reborn and both parents love him.
Another story shows Shiva’s playfulness: once he gives a wise test, or uses his trident not only as a weapon but as a symbol of how balance and discipline are important.
Why It’s Good for Kids:
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Teaches that even strong people have gentle sides
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Shows how love and forgiveness can heal
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Encourages children to value both strength and calmness
3. Lord Ganesha Story — Cleverness, Wisdom, and Heart
Lord Ganesha is probably the most lovable of the gods to small children. His elephant head and his happy smile make him instantly likable, and there is always a lesson behind his stories.
The Story:
Among the most basic lord ganesha story instances is his creation and the way he received an elephant head: Parvati, being lonely, made him and requested him to protect her. Shiva comes back and Ganesha refuses to admit him (without realizing that it is his father), and Shiva cuts off his head in rage. Parvati is heartbroken, and Shiva discovers an elephant and cuts off its head and puts it on the body of Ganesha, thereby, Ganesha is born again.
The other sweet and intelligent story is the race of Ganesha to wisdom: Once, Ganesha and his brother Kartikeya were both given a race by Shiva and Parvati. They were forced to go round the world three times. Kartikeya started riding his peacock on a fast, yet Ganesha remained composed. He just walked round his parents thrice with the words, To me, you are my whole world. Due to his love and comprehension, he was able to win the contest.
Why It’s Good for Kids:
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Celebrates creativity and intelligence
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Emphasizes respect and devotion to family
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Shows that wisdom matters more than speed
Read More: Why Teaching Behaviour Matters as Much as Teaching ABCs?
Bringing These Stories into Your Home
Some easy ideas on how parents and children can have fun with these stories are:
1. Bedtime Reading: Select a short adaptation of the mythology books of stories and read one story in a few nights. This allows time to communicate and think.
2. Discussions about the story time: When you read, you can ask your child such questions as: What would you have done, had you been Ram? or Why did Ganesha walk around his parents?
3. Creative Activities: Drawing, coloring or role play. Draw a bow with Ram, or create a small clay Ganesha (safe and simple).
4. Festive Tie-Ins: These are stories to be told during festivals, e.g., during Ganesh Chaturthi, tell the lord ganesha story to younger children; during Diwali or Ram Navami, tell the lord ram story.
Why Mythical Stories Are Perfect for Young Kids?
• These stories are full of simple morals, courage, respect, truthfulness, but are wrapped in magic adventures.
• In this manner, storytelling nurtures cultural heritage and provides children with an idea of the origin of such traditions.
As you explore these stories, you're not only sharing fun tales but also planting values of kindness, bravery, and wisdom in your child’s heart.
Final Thoughts
The mythical stories of Lord Ram, Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha are not just legends, but kind guides to the young minds. They are lessons of love, wisdom, honor, and devotion when narrated in story books for kids. Reading them with family, parents and children can connect, reflect, and become more enlightened.
If you’re looking for a child-friendly mythology story book set that brings Ram, Shiva, Ganesha (and other legends) to life, the Lil Legends “Mythical Festive India” series offers beautifully illustrated, simple versions that are just right for young readers. Let these stories become part of your family’s story time a way to connect past and present, imagination and values, tradition and love.