Should Stories Always Have a Moral? Exploring the Power of Storytelling for Children
Should Stories Always Have a Moral? Exploring the Power of Storytelling for Children
by Sridevi Srinivasan
Every twilight, Little Laudable Learners hosts online Bedtime Storytelling Sessions for children. Recently, we had one such session where Ms. Gowri Bhargav, a talented storyteller, presented fun and engaging stories that captured the children’s attention. After the session, two boys asked thought-provoking questions—each offering a unique perspective on storytelling that made me reflect on how educators and parents should approach this art.
Why Do We Always Look for a Moral in Stories?
The story, written by the teller, was magical—filled with pixie dust and fairies. Ms. Gowri even used a beautiful background screen featuring fairies with wings, adding to the enchantment. The children listened intently, completely immersed in the tale.
At the end of the session, she asked, “What did you like about the story?” The children eagerly shared their favorite parts. Then, one curious boy raised his hand and asked, “Ma’am, I read many stories, and every story has a moral. Can you tell me the moral of this one?”
Before she could respond, another boy asked, “Ma’am, the fairy has wings, so she can fly?” We confirmed that in stories, fairies do have wings and can fly. Then I asked him, “Do you think you could fly if you had wings too?” He immediately replied, “Yes!” We explained that while fairies are imaginary, humans haven’t yet invented wings that allow us to fly. His thoughtful silence said it all.
The Different Ways Children Interpret Stories
One child was on a quest for wisdom, always searching for a moral. I wondered if his focus on finding a lesson prevented him from fully experiencing the magic and wonder of storytelling. His pursuit of a single takeaway might have distanced him from simply enjoying the tale.
In contrast, the other child completely immersed himself in the story’s world. He followed the fairies on their journey and was so captivated that he truly believed he could grow wings and fly. His imagination soared—even if it temporarily detached him from reality.
How Storytelling Boosts Imagination and Creativity in Children
Storytelling Is More Than Just a Moral
Stories help children experience emotions, build connections, and understand cause and effect. When listening to a story, children emotionally sync with the teller—they don’t just follow one character, but step into the shoes of many, absorbing diverse perspectives and emotions. Each child interprets a story differently: some might connect deeply with a character’s feelings, while others develop new questions and ideas. The journey of the story can guide them later in life during important decision-making moments. Reducing a story to a single moral, therefore, diminishes its rich, multifaceted impact.
Encouraging Creative Thinking and Critical Inquiry
The second boy’s belief in his ability to fly—if he had wings—demonstrates the boundless power of imagination. Instead of dismissing his ideas, we engaged him in a discussion. Through conversation, he understood the difference between fantasy and reality, while still nurturing his creative thinking. Who knows? Perhaps this spark of curiosity will inspire him one day to become a scientist or innovator, inventing something truly groundbreaking.
Should Parents and Educators Guide or Let Children Explore?
Many educators, including myself, believe that explicitly stating the moral of a story isn’t necessary. Instead, encouraging discussion allows children to form their own interpretations and connect with the story on multiple levels. Rather than focusing solely on a predetermined lesson, we should nurture curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills in our young listeners.
Final Thoughts – Let Stories Speak for Themselves
Should every story have a moral? I don’t think so. Stories offer more than a simple lesson—they transport us, inspire us, and change the way we see the world. Instead of summarizing a tale with one moral, let’s encourage open discussion, exploration, and imagination.
These are my thoughts—what do you think? Leave a comment below and share your perspective on whether all stories should have a moral!
