The Stoic Fable Book is a collection of beautiful little stories that introduce children to the elegant lessons of Stoicism, a philosophy that can help us live happier, more meaningful lives.
Each fable is followed by information for parents about which Stoic quote the story illustrates — with insightful lessons from ancient philosophers like Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus and Seneca.
The Stoic Fable Book is free to read on our website, and each story includes a narration that you can listen to with your kids.
1. Creating Things and Caring for Others
When Groundhog saw Rabbit struggling to dig a burrow in the meadow, he stopped his own work and went to help.
2. Choosing How Things Make Us Feel
Toad and Mouse came upon a puddle of muddy water while they were walking together one summer afternoon.
3. Picking the More Challenging Path
While following a trail in the forest one day, Fox and Deer came to a fork in the path.
4. Don’t Blame Others, and Don’t Blame Yourself
Three horses spent the spring together in a pasture: a foal, a young colt and an old stallion.
5. Wishing for Things to Be What They Already Are
Sparrow and Owl were sitting together one evening when a crow landed on a nearby branch and peered at them rudely.
6. Being Strict with Yourself and Tolerant with Others
Robin woke up early every day to catch the choicest bugs for breakfast, but Chipmunk liked to sleep in late.
7. We Don’t Have to Work Hard, We Get to Work Hard
Turtle was lying on a log in the water, enjoying the feel of the sun on her shell, when she saw Beaver swim by.
8. Beauty Doesn’t Come From Praise
A beautiful orchid grew at the top of a high bluff in the forest, and no one had ever laid eyes upon it.
9. Playing Your Part as a Good Friend
Squirrel visited Groundhog nearly every day, and they were the best of friends.
10. Be Thankful to Feel Both the Sun and the Rain
Mouse was hiding in a log to shelter herself from a rainstorm. Soon Rabbit happened by, and he stopped to nibble on some grass in the rain.
11. Wish for the Strength to Handle Bad Things
Beaver worked hard for many days to build his lodge, and had nearly finished when a heavy rain came and washed it away.
12. We Were Made Strong to Bear Heavy Burdens
A big, strong ox was made to pull heavy carts by a farmer every day.
13. Remember That Nothing Lasts Forever
Squirrel found a beautiful walnut in the forest, and became very fond of it.
14. We Can Choose to Not Be Upset
Owl was snoozing on a high branch one afternoon when some wandering geese stopped at his tree.
15. There’s Good to Be Found in Challenges
While digging one day, Groundhog hurt his paw on a sharp stone.
16. Enjoying What’s Happening Right Now
A bright yellow trumpet lily had bloomed in the farmhouse garden, and the wily farm cat went to sniff at it one sunny afternoon.
17. Turning the Obstacle Into the Way
Chipmunk had finally found the perfect glade for a new home, but an ugly stump sat right where she wanted to dig her burrow.
18. You Can Be Happy Wherever You Are
The Old Buck had lived for a long time, and he wasn’t able to move quickly anymore.
19. Do Your Best with the Abilities You Have
Muskrat and Chipmunk were sitting together near the creek one afternoon when a beetle crawled past them.
20. Don’t Look Back at Troubles That Are Behind You
Two mischievous raccoon brothers had disobeyed their mother, and she found them hiding from her in the woods.
21. There Are Things to Enjoy in Every Season
Coyote was walking in the woods one frosty morning when the winter’s first snowflakes began to fall.
22. Get Joy from Doing, Not from Being Done
Rabbit saw Mole poking her head out of a hole one morning, and hopped over to say hello.
23. Everyone Knows Something You Don’t
Mouse loved climbing, but she wasn’t nearly as good at it as Squirrel.
24. Prevailing Over Challenges is Good Fortune
A fire swept through the forest, and an old hawthorn and a tall oak were the only trees that survived the flames on the hill they shared.
25. You Need a Change of Mind, Not a Change of View
Fox decided that visiting every part of the forest would make him wiser, so he set off to explore.
26. If Your Choices Are Beautiful, Then You’ll Be Beautiful
Chipmunk was visiting with Deer one evening when a small snake slithered past them on the ground.
27. Be Sad They’re Gone, But Glad You Knew Them
An eagle made her nest in Owl’s favorite tree, and he became close friends with the two fledglings who hatched there.
28. As Long As You Live, Keep Learning How to Live
A black bear cub had discovered a clever new trick for catching fish, and he brought his siblings to the creek to teach them.
29. It’s Our Duty to Help Others
Muskrat returned to his den on the creek bank to find that a branch had fallen and blocked the entrance.
30. Happiness Comes from Wanting Less
A meadow in the forest was full of ripe raspberries one summer, and Rabbit took Groundhog there for supper.
31. You Always Bring Yourself Along for the Trip
Turtle had just climbed out of the water onto a log when she saw Possum pacing back and forth angrily on the creek bank.
32. We’re Not the Tree, But Rather the Leaves
A song-sparrow landed on an oak branch one autumn, and listened as a tattered leaf whispered to her.
33. Today Isn’t Bad Just Because Yesterday Was Better
Fox and Robin visited the glade together to see Deer’s new fawn, who was just learning to run and jump on her wobbly legs.
34. Taking Control of Your Initial Reactions
Hawk was sitting quietly on a branch one evening when she saw Coyote sniffing at the ground below.
35. Training to Do Things in Difficult Circumstances
It had been a hard winter, and Deer was foraging near the frozen creek when she spied Beaver pulling a bare branch through the snow.
36. There Are No Chains On Our Spirits
A farmer was hosting a picnic, and he chained his two dogs beneath a shade tree to keep them from barking at the visitors.
37. You Don’t Need to Have an Opinion About Everything
Fox was enjoying the shade beneath Owl’s tree one summer afternoon when a bright green dragonfly buzzed past him.
38. If You Need a Witness, Be Your Own
Heron was standing quietly in the creek one morning, trying to catch some breakfast, when an eager young duck paddled up to him.
39. No One Does Wrong Willingly
Toad and Turtle were sitting together when they spied a grumpy-looking badger trudging by on the creek bank.
A young donkey was purchased by a farmer and fastened to the back of a wagon with a length of rope.
41. You Can’t Always Succeed, But You Can Always Deserve To
While Chipmunk was foraging for food, she spied a big, beautiful acorn on the branch of a tall oak tree.
42. Showing is Better Than Explaining
Preparing for winter was something that Squirrel took very seriously.
43. Contentment Doesn’t Come From What’s Around You
Mouse was feeling restless one day, and went to tell the Old Buck about it.
44. Being Pampered is a Punishment, Not a Reward
Two working dogs, who toiled hard on the farm and had known many difficult days, saw the farmer’s wife sitting on the porch with her pampered house cat one afternoon.
45. Challenges Are Opportunities to Utilize Your Training
Fox was walking through the woods one cold winter morning when he heard a knocking above him. He looked up and saw Woodpecker tapping away at a tree trunk, hunting for bugs.