Tiger Stories from India and Beyond

These stories come from South and Southeast Asia, i.e., from India, Myanmar, and Malaysia. Reading all the stories will take less than an hour. When you find one you like, read it out loud so that you will really remember it!

How the Hare Deceived the Tiger. This Burmese story about the tiger and his so-called friends provides an explanation of how the tiger got his stripes.

The Tiger's Mistake. In this Malaysian story, the tiger Rimau seeks help from Buaya, the crocodile.

The Tiger and the Shadow. This story, also from Malaysia, is about a tiger, a deer, and a flying squirrel.

The Tiger and the Monkeys. In this story from the Khasi people of India, the tiger gets married — but the bride is not what he expects.

How the Tiger Got His Strength. This is a Khasi story from the time of creation when all the animals, including the tiger, received their gifts from the gods.

How the Cat Came to Live with Man. Long ago, the cat used to live with her brother, the tiger. This Khasi story explains why the cat doesn't live with the tiger anymore.

The Hungry Tigress. This is an ancient jataka (a Buddhist "birth story") in which the Bodhisattva shows compassion for a starving tigress.

Image credit: Pixabay.