Urdu Stories, Poetry and Rhymes for Children

A story at bedtime, a rhyme in the car, a poem on a grandparent’s lap: these are some of the best ways for children to hear Urdu. Urdu stories for children, along with poems and rhymes, build vocabulary and a sense of rhythm, and they connect children with a rich literary tradition. This guide explains how to share them, even if your own Urdu is limited, and where to look for material in the UK.

Why stories and rhymes help

Urdu stories for children give language a context. A child who hears a tale about a clever fox hears words repeated in meaningful ways, picks up sentence patterns and wants to know what happens next. Rhymes add rhythm and repetition, which help memory. Poems introduce more formal, expressive language. All of them work for beginners, because listening comes first. See teaching your child Urdu at home for how this fits into a wider plan.

Start with oral Urdu stories for children

You do not need a book. Tell your child:

• A story from your own childhood, such as the time you got lost in the market or a favourite trick you played on a cousin.
• A folk tale or a funny story about a well-known character, such as Mulla Nasruddin, whose witty adventures are told across many cultures, or the clever advisor Birbal, who features in stories about the Mughal emperor Akbar.
• A “what if” story that you make up together.

Oral storytelling has a long tradition in Urdu culture, sometimes known as dastan goi (داستان گوئی), and it can be done in the car, at the table or at bedtime. Even a few Urdu words in an English story, such as the animal sounds or the characters’ names, give children something to latch on to.

Rhymes children may already know

Many families remember traditional rhymes from their own childhood. Examples that many Urdu and Hindi speakers know include:

• مچھلی جل کی رانی ہے (Machli jal ki rani hai), a rhyme about a fish.
• چندا ماموں دور کے (Chanda mama door ke), a lullaby-style rhyme about the moon.
• لکڑی کی کاٹھی (Lakdi ki kathi), a rhyme about a wooden horse.

Ask grandparents and relatives which rhymes they know. Different families remember different verses, and sharing them is a way of passing on family culture. Add actions and invite children to make their own verses.

Poems for children

One of the best-known poets in Urdu, Allama Iqbal, wrote poems for children that are still widely taught. Examples include بچے کی دعا (Bachche ki dua, a child’s prayer), ایک مکڑا اور مکھی (Ek makra aur makhi, the spider and the fly) and ایک پہاڑ اور گلہری (Ek pahar aur gilahri, the mountain and the squirrel). Each tells a short story with a lesson. For young children, listening and learning a few lines is enough. Older children can explore the meaning and discuss what the poem teaches.

How to read aloud in Urdu

1. Pick a short, simple book with pictures that help your child understand.
2. Preview it and look up any words you are unsure of.
3. Use expression. Different voices for characters, sound effects and pauses all help comprehension.
4. Point as you read, moving your finger from right to left under the words if your child is learning the script.
5. Ask questions. “What do you think will happen?” “Why did the fox do that?”
6. Let your child join in with repeated phrases or sounds.
7. Re-read favourites. Repetition builds confidence.

If your own reading is slow, you can tell the story from the pictures, or record a relative reading it so that your child can listen as often as they like.

Finding Urdu stories for children in the UK

It can be harder to find Urdu children’s books in the UK than English ones, but there are options:

• Your local library. Ask whether it holds Urdu or dual-language children’s books, or can order them. Libraries can often arrange loans from other branches.
• Relatives. Grandparents and cousins sometimes have old books and magazines that are cherished.
• Specialist and online booksellers. Look for Urdu children’s picture books, primers (qaida) and short story collections. Check age suitability and the quality of printing.
• Dual-language books. Books with English and Urdu on the same page help children and parents who are not yet confident readers.
• Classes and community groups. They often share resources. See Urdu classes for children in the UK.

Choosing the right level

Make it a ritual

Sharing Urdu stories for children, or one short rhyme, each night or every Sunday builds a habit that children come to love. Tie it to a cosy routine, such as a blanket, a special lamp or a cup of milk. For more ideas on weaving Urdu into the day, see introducing Urdu into your child’s daily routine.

Frequently asked questions

My child will not sit still for stories. What can I do?

Try shorter stories, add actions or let your child draw while listening. Rhymes and songs can be easier at first.

Can stories help with reading the script?

Yes. Hearing a story first, then looking at the written words, helps children connect sounds to letters. See teaching children to read and write Urdu.

What if I do not know many stories?

Ask relatives, make up Urdu stories for children together or use picture books and tell the story in your own words.

Related reading

• Fun Urdu learning activities for children at home
• Helping children speak Urdu with their grandparents
• Pakistani arts and crafts for children

Sources and further reading

• Urdu language, Encyclopaedia Britannica: background on the language, its history and writing system