In this episode of Kooky Kids World we travel to Wales for the heartbreaking legend of Gelert the Faithful Hound.

Prince Llywelyn rides out to hunt leaving his brave dog Gelert to guard the baby prince. When Llywelyn returns he finds the cradle overturned and Gelert’s fur stained with blood. In a rush of fear and anger he believes the worst and makes a terrible decision that cannot be undone.

Only when it is too late does he discover the truth about what really happened in the nursery and the danger that Gelert chased away. The prince’s grief echoes through the valley and the story of Gelert becomes a lesson passed down for generations.

This episode is:

• 🎧 Best for ages: 7–12 (younger listeners may find it sad)
• 😴 Great for: quiet evening listening, classroom discussion or family story time
• 💡 Themes: loyalty, trust, acting in anger, thinking before you decide

You can use this story to start gentle conversations about:

• Why it is important to pause and check the facts before acting
• How strong emotions like fear and anger can cloud our judgement
• What it means to be loyal and how we can show trust in the people and animals we love

There is a sad moment in this story so it is best for children who are ready for emotional tales. Many families and teachers use it to talk about consequences, making amends and why careful choices matter.

 

More stories like Gelert the Faithful Hound

If your child or class connected with this legend, you might enjoy these next on Kooky Kids World (all with text and audio):

More Welsh and Celtic legends

• The Fairies’ Harp – a Welsh tale about kindness, music and using a magical gift wisely.
• The Lady of the Lake – a Welsh legend of mystery, promises and the cost of breaking your word.
• The Children of Lir – an Irish tale of transformation, patience and enduring love.
• Finn MacCool and the Giant’s Causeway – an Irish story where quick thinking beats brute strength.
• Legend of Tír na nÓg – a Celtic Otherworld story about time, love and the pull of home.

Stories about trust, mistakes and consequences

• The Boy Who Cried Wolf – a classic moral story about honesty, trust and what happens when people stop believing you.
• Jack and the Beanstalk – a bold adventure about risk, courage and living with the results of your choices.

👉 To listen, search for these titles on your favourite podcast app or visit Kooky Kids World for the full stories with read-along text and audio.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/kooky-kids-world/donations

In this episode of Kooky Kids World, we share a classic Aesop fable: The Boy Who Cried Wolf – a short bedtime moral story for kids aged 4–10.

A cheeky shepherd boy is bored watching his sheep, so he decides to play a trick. He shouts, “Wolf! Wolf!” and laughs when the villagers race up the hill to help him.

He does it once.

He does it twice.

Each time, people believe him a little less.

Then one day, a real wolf appears. The boy cries out for help, but no one believes him any more. The boy learns a powerful lesson: when you lie for fun, people stop trusting you even when you finally tell the truth.

This episode is:

• 🎧 Best for ages: 4–10
• 😴 Great for: bedtime listening, car journeys or calm time in class
• 💡 Themes: honesty, trust, consequences, taking responsibility

Use this story to start gentle conversations about:

• Why telling the truth helps people feel safe
• How tricks and lies can hurt other people’s feelings
• What we can do when we’ve made a mistake and want to rebuild trust

If your child enjoyed this story, try these next on Kooky Kids World (available as both text and audio):

Short moral stories & consequences

• The Gingerbread Man – a fast-paced chase story about choices and consequences.
• The Three Little Pigs – a classic tale of hard work, planning and staying safe.
• Goldilocks and the Three Bears – a gentle lesson about respecting other people’s things.
• Monkey Business – a cheeky modern story about mischief and taking responsibility.

Trust, bravery and thinking before you act

• The Tale of Gelert – a powerful Welsh legend about trust and hasty decisions (best for slightly older children).
• Jack and the Beanstalk – a bold adventure about risk, courage and clever thinking.

Another famous wolf story

Little Red Riding Hood – a classic wolf tale about staying safe and listening to warnings.

More animal and farm favourites

• Baa Baa Black Sheep – a cosy animal rhyme to sing along with.
• Mary Had a Little Lamb – a gentle nursery rhyme about a girl and her lamb.

👉 Explore all these stories and more at Kooky Kids World, or search for the titles on your favourite podcast app.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/kooky-kids-world/donations

Enjoy The Gingerbread Man, a lively read-aloud for ages 4–8—perfect for bedtime and classroom listening.

Read the full story with pictures → https://kookykidsworld.com/fairy-tales/the-gingerbread-man/

In this playful chase tale, children practise prediction and sequencing while meeting the cookie who won’t be caught—until a clever fox changes the game.

If your child liked this, try these next:

• The Three Little Pigs → https://kookykidsworld.com/fairy-tales/the-three-little-pigs/
• Jack and the Beanstalk → https://kookykidsworld.com/fairy-tales/jack-and-the-beanstalk/
• The Elves and the Shoemaker → https://kookykidsworld.com/classics/the-elves-and-the-shoemaker/

We share free stories, fairy tales, folk tales, and rhymes to make reading joyful for every child. New episodes weekly—follow the show!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/kooky-kids-world/donations

Tuck in for a heart-warming Brothers Grimm classic! The Elves and the Shoemaker is a short read-aloud about kindness, gratitude, and helping others when they need it most. Great for bedtime, classroom listening, or calm-down time.

What kids learn:

• Kindness and gratitude

• Helping others without expecting anything in return

• Simple cause-and-effect (good deeds ripple outward)

Read the story online (with images & text):

The Elves and the Shoemaker → https://kookykidsworld.com/classics/the-elves-and-the-shoemaker/

Try more classic tales next:

• Cinderella → https://kookykidsworld.com/stories/cinderella/

• The Gingerbread Man → https://kookykidsworld.com/stories/the-gingerbread-man/

• Jack and the Beanstalk → https://kookykidsworld.com/stories/jack-and-the-beanstalk/

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Read along with pictures: Kooky Kids World → https://kookykidsworld.com/

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Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/kooky-kids-world/donations

Five Little Ducks is a classic counting nursery rhyme read aloud for young children. Listen and count along as the little ducks waddle off and come back again—perfect for practising numbers and early subtraction in a calm, playful way.

Listen & Read Along:

👉 Full rhyme, images, and transcript on our site: https://kookykidsworld.com/nursery-rhymes/five-little-ducks/

What kids learn (quick hits):

• Counting down from 5 to 0 (early numeracy)
• Repetition, rhyme, and phonological awareness
• Memory, prediction skills, and turn-taking

Best for: Ages 2–6 · Duration: ~1–2 minutes

More free stories & rhymes: https://kookykidsworld.com

Free book for parents/teachers: Get Dylan the Dancing Bear when you join our newsletter.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/kooky-kids-world/donations

Discover The Children of Lir, one of Ireland’s most famous folktales, beautifully retold for children aged 8–12. This moving story of love, jealousy, and transformation follows four children turned into swans by a spell—and their journey of courage and hope across centuries.

You can read the full story here: The Children of Lir – Kooky Kids World

Or explore more free folk tales and fairy tales at Kooky Kids World

About this episode:

Perfect for classroom listening or bedtime storytelling, this Irish legend introduces children to Celtic mythology while teaching lessons of resilience, forgiveness, and enduring love. At Kooky Kids World, we share free stories from around the world to inspire every young reader.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/kooky-kids-world/donations

Enjoy the much-loved nursery rhyme Jack and Jill, brought to life with gentle narration for young listeners. Perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and early readers learning rhythm, rhyme, and story structure.

You can read the full rhyme here: Jack and Jill – Kooky Kids World

Or discover more free nursery rhymes and stories at Kooky Kids World

About this episode:

This short rhyme helps children build early literacy and memory skills through rhythm and repetition. Kooky Kids World offers free stories, fairy tales, and rhymes to help every child fall in love with reading.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/kooky-kids-world/donations

Step into the mysterious world of Bluebeard, a classic fairy tale retold for children aged 8–12. This story follows a brave young woman whose curiosity leads her to uncover her husband’s dark secret—and the courage that saves her family.

You can read the full story here: Bluebeard – Kooky Kids World

Or discover more free fairy tales and folk tales at Kooky Kids World

About this episode:

Perfect for independent readers and classroom listening, this tale explores trust, bravery, and the consequences of deceit. Kooky Kids World brings classic fairy tales to life with engaging narration, clear morals, and age-appropriate storytelling.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/kooky-kids-world/donations

Enjoy the timeless nursery rhyme Baa Baa Black Sheep, retold with warm narration for toddlers, preschoolers, and early learners. This gentle rhyme helps children explore rhythm, counting, and sharing in a fun, familiar way.

You can read the full rhyme here: Baa Baa Black Sheep – Kooky Kids World

Or discover more free nursery rhymes and stories at Kooky Kids World

About this episode:

Ideal for ages 0–5, this short rhyme introduces early numeracy and sound awareness. At Kooky Kids World, we share free stories, fairy tales, and rhymes designed to make reading and listening joyful for every child.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/kooky-kids-world/donations

Discover the timeless fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood, retold for children aged 6–12. In this engaging audio version, young listeners will follow Little Red Riding Hood’s journey through the forest, meet the cunning wolf, and learn the importance of courage and cleverness.

You can read the full story here: Little Red Riding Hood – Kooky Kids World

Or explore more free stories at Kooky Kids World

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/kooky-kids-world/donations