Philippine Folk Stories That Kids Love

The Philippines is full of stories passed down from generation to generation. These folktales help children learn important life lessons, laugh, and discover the clever creatures and magical characters that fill Filipino culture. Let’s explore some of the most beloved stories that Filipino children have enjoyed for years!

Why Crabs Run from the Waves

One favorite story is The Battle of the Crabs. In this tale, a crab and a shrimp work together to fight the big waves at the beach. But the waves are too strong! They are tossed around and scared. That’s why, even today, you can see crabs running away from waves and hiding in the sand. They’re still trying to avoid the water!

The Miraculous Singing Cow

Another funny tale is The Miraculous Cow. A kind farmer has a cow that sings with him on the way home each day. One day, two sneaky boys take the cow and tie one of them to the cart instead. The boy doesn’t sing like the cow, and the farmer starts to wonder. When he realizes it’s not his cow, the boy tricks him again by saying his mother is probably worried about him—so the farmer lets him go. The cow is gone, and the boys have fooled the farmer!

The Clever Mouse Deer

Many Filipino folktales feature a smart and fast little animal called the mouse deer. This tiny creature may be small, but it always finds a clever way out of trouble. Let’s meet this clever character in three fun stories!

1. Mouse Deer and the Crocodiles
The mouse deer wants to cross a river full of crocodiles. First, he tests the water with a stick—it gets eaten! Then he pretends to count the crocodiles for the King. As he jumps across their backs, he shouts:
“I’m quick and smart as can be. Try and try, but you can’t catch me!”

2. Mouse Deer and the Tiger
In this story, the tiger tries to eat the mouse deer three times—but each time the mouse deer tricks him!

• He says a puddle is royal pudding, and the tiger eats mud.

• He says a wasp nest is a royal drum, and the tiger gets stung.

• He says a cobra is the King’s belt, and the tiger puts it on!
  Of course, the snake wraps around him, and the deer runs away laughing!

3. Mouse Deer and the Farmer
The mouse deer tries to steal vegetables but gets caught in a trap. He plays dead, and the farmer tosses him into the woods. He tries again and gets caught by a scarecrow. The farmer locks him in a chicken coop! But the clever mouse deer tricks the dog by pretending to be the “guest of honor” at a feast. The dog takes his place, and the deer escapes again.
“I’m quick and smart as I can be. Try and try, but you can’t catch me!” he shouts once more.

Explore Filipino Folktales at Home

You can find these stories and many more in libraries, bookstores, and online. Here are some wonderful books to get started:

• Filipino Children’s Favorite Stories – 13 classic short tales

• Haluhalo Espesyal – A bilingual picture book about a girl and a kitten

• Lakas and the Manilatown Fish – A boy dreams of a talking fish

• Filipino Friends – A Filipino-American boy visits the Philippines

• The Turtle and the Monkey – A famous Filipino folk tale

• Ang Pambihirang Buhok ni Lola – Grandma’s magical hair!

• Tuko and the Birds – A noisy gecko keeps the birds awake

• Cora Cooks Pancit – A girl helps cook delicious Filipino food

• Lakas and the Makibaka Hotel – A boy helps save his neighbors’ home

• Abadeha – The Cinderella story of the Philippines

These stories are great for children learning about Filipino culture, whether at home or in the classroom.

Learn More with Dinolingo

If your child is learning Tagalog or exploring Filipino culture, Dinolingo is the perfect place to begin. With fun games, songs, books, and stories, Dinolingo teaches kids aged 2–14 about Filipino language and life in a way that’s playful and easy to follow. The platform works on web, iOS, and Android, and one subscription covers up to 6 users. Kids can even learn offline and parents can track progress using the parent dashboard.

Check out Dinolingo today to start learning through stories and more!

A World of Imagination and Wisdom

Filipino folktales are filled with imagination, wisdom, and fun. They teach children about kindness, bravery, and clever thinking. Whether it’s a mouse deer escaping a tiger or a cow that sings, these stories continue to delight young readers all around the world.