A boy once left with coins to spare,
To trade, to learn, to go somewhere.
But then he saw a dog in fright—
“I’ll buy him! That’s just right.”
A cat came next in deep distress,
“I’ll save her too,” he said, no less.
And last, a snake, all curled and scared—
“One last coin,” the boy declared.
His pockets empty, hopes run dry,
He turned around with a heavy sigh.
His father frowned, “You’ve lost it all!
Go sleep out back beside the stall.”
So there he stayed with his three friends,
Who curled up close through nights and ends.
One day the snake said, “Come with me—
My dad’s a king beneath the sea!”
They dove beneath a mountain spring,
And met the king, who gave a ring:
“Say what you want, it shall appear—
A house, some food, both far and near.”
The boy returned with ring in hand,
A house rose up, tall, grand, and grand!
He married well, they lived just right—
Till one strange day, the ring took flight.
The dog and cat ran far and wide,
They found the ring with clever pride.
The dog dropped it—not once, but two!
Each time the cat knew what to do.
At last they brought it safely back,
The house returned with joyful crack.
And now they live in peace and cheer—
With dog and cat and friends held dear.
“The Lucky Ring” by Nina D. Smith. Published by Bright Bunny Books © 2025. Retelling of “The Charmed Ring’” from Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs, originally published in 1892.
“The Lucky Ring” is ideal for students in Grades 3–5, as it features accessible language, magical adventure, animal companions, and clear moral lessons about kindness, trust, and clever problem-solving.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think the boy chose to spend all his money on saving animals instead of using it for business?
- How do the cat and dog show loyalty and cleverness throughout the story?
- If you had a magic ring that granted wishes, what would you wish for—and why?
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