Welcome to the Top 31 Stories for 13-Year-Olds! This exciting and diverse collection of kids’ stories are perfect for children of all ages, from bedtime tales to read during a sleepover, or even as an educational learning activity during story time. Our online selection offers a free, downloadable and printable PDF format that will ensure a fun-filled reading experience for girls and boys alike. These short stories come with beautiful pictures, making it easy for early years, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary students to enjoy and learn from.

The importance of Stories for 13-Year-Olds cannot be emphasized enough, as they play a crucial role in developing language skills, enhancing imagination, and nourishing a child’s emotional well-being. Our collection is a brilliant combination of the best classic fairy tales, fun modern stories, good moral tales, and a multitude of well-known and famous children’s favorites. The selection includes stories that cater to different levels of reading abilities, while also offering longer, more challenging tales for advanced readers.

Engage your 13-year-old in fun and educational story time, whether it’s at night time or during the day. Parents can easily read aloud these stories, or choose an audio format, allowing their kids to develop their listening skills while enjoying the narrative. The varied content included in this assortment will not only entertain toddlers throughout their eyfs but also provide a perfect learning environment for older children. Let the world of stories captivate and inspire your kids, as they embark on new adventures and explore the magic of fairy tales, famous legends, and heartwarming stories.

Top 31 Stories For 13 Year Olds for kids to read online:

1. As you please: The story is about a wicked duke who takes over his brother’s duchy. The banished duke’s daughter, Rosalind, falls in love with a charming wrestler named Orlando. When she is banished to the Forest of Arden, she disguises herself as a young man called Ganymede, and her cousin dresses as a country girl named Aliena. Orlando meets them and confesses his love for Rosalind. Oliver, Orlando’s wicked brother, tries to kill him. Orlando saves Oliver from a lioness, and they become beloved brothers. Oliver falls in love with Aliena. Rosalind reveals her true identity and marries Orlando, while Oliver marries Aliena. The wicked Duke returns the duchy to his brother and becomes a monk. The weddings take place in the Forest of Arden.
2. The Winter’s Tale: This is a summary of a story about King Leontes of Sicily, who wrongly accuses his wife Hermione of being unfaithful to him with his best friend Polixenes, the King of Bohemia. He orders his servant to poison Polixenes, who escapes and flees back to Bohemia with his loyal advisor Camillo. Leontes then throws Hermione into prison. She later gives birth to a daughter while in captivity. Meanwhile, the abandoned baby is found by a shepherd, and years later, the now-grown daughter, Perdita, falls in love with Prince Florizel, Polixenes’ son. The two eventually seek refuge in Sicily, where Leontes realizes that Perdita is his daughter. Hermione is also revealed to be alive, having been secretly cared for by a friend. Leontes is reunited with his family, and all live happily ever after.
3. The Gift of Athena: Near the banks of the stream Kephisos, Erechtheus had built a city that was disputed between Poseidon and Athena. Zeus judged that the god who brought forth the best gift from the earth for men would win. Poseidon brought forth a horse, while Athena planted an olive tree. The tree was deemed the better gift by the gods, and the city was named Athens. Athena said that the city would be her home, and from there, the torch of freedom and respect for the law would be passed on to other lands. The story concludes with a link to download an ebook version.
4. The Adventure of the Daughter of the King of Ireland: In this story, the young king of Denmark seeks the advice of his counselors to find a wife. One of them suggests Hilda, the daughter of the wild King Hagen of Ireland. Despite warnings of King Hagen’s strength, Yarl Wate and his companions set out to Ireland to win Hilda’s hand for their king. They succeed but are pursued by King Hagen, and a fierce battle breaks out. However, peace is made between the two kings, and the wedding feast is celebrated for twelve days. The story ends with King Hagen and his men being laden with gifts as they return to Ireland.
5. The story of the Norse about how everything began: This story is about the Norse mythology of how the world was created. Before anything existed, there was a great gaping gap with only the Houses of Mist and Fire north and south of it respectively. From the House of Mist, a river of water flowed, and where it met the gusts of wind from the gulf, ice blocks were formed. South of the gulf was the House of Fire guarded by a giant with a flaming sword. Steam was formed when the sparks from the sword melted the ice. When the gulf was full, the giant Ymir was born. A cow sustained Ymir, and from it, a mighty man’s body was revealed. Ymir and his descendants, the race of giants, became enemies of the gods. The gods fought against the giants and killed Ymir. They used his body to create the earth, sea, and sky. The gods also made a man and a woman, the first of humankind, to live on earth and named them Ask and Embla. Finally, the gods planted the Tree of Life.
6. Horaizan: Jofuku, the Wise man of China, lived with the word “changeability” written on his heart. Despite his great wisdom, he was unable to teach the nightingales to sing as the tyrant Emperor requested. In exchange for sparing his life, Jofuku promised to bring back the herb of Immortality from the island of Horaizan. He set sail with brave companions but faced great hardships and loss. Meanwhile, the wise man of Japan, Wasobiobe, accidentally arrived on the same island and found endless pleasure and no pain. However, he was troubled by the word “humanity” written on his heart and yearned to return home. When he did, he died in the arms of a kind fisherman.
7. The Child of Maria: This story is about a woodcutter and his wife who are so poor that they cannot feed their daughter. One day, an apparition of Mary appears to them and takes the girl to heaven, promising to provide for her. When the girl turns fourteen, Mary gives her the keys to the thirteen doors of heaven but warns her not to open the thirteenth. However, the girl’s curiosity gets the better of her, and when she opens the forbidden door, she touches the fire inside and turns her finger into gold. She lies to Mary about it, subsequently loses access to heaven, and is left alone in the wilderness. A king finds her, saves her, and marries her, but she is unable to speak when Mary comes to her and takes her newborn children away, as they were all conceived after she opened the forbidden door. The queen is accused of being a cannibal and sentenced to be burned alive. However, when she confesses her sin, Mary returns her children and forgives her.
8. The Water Nymph in the Pond: A miller encounters the Water Nymph at a pond and agrees to give her “something young” in exchange for wealth and happiness. When the miller’s son is born, he realizes he has been tricked and worries about how to keep his promise. His luck returns, and his son grows up to become a shepherd. One day, the son accidentally touches the pond, and the Water Nymph pulls him in, causing his wife to search for him. Through a series of dreams and instructions from an old woman, the wife is able to save her husband, and they reunite as shepherds.
9. How the Monkey and the Goat Earned Their Reputations: The story is about a tiger who invites a goat and a monkey on a visit. Along the way, the tiger convinces the goat to cross a dangerous marsh and eat unripe bananas, while the monkey avoids both situations. When they arrive at their destination, the tiger kills a lamb and tries to frame the goat, but the monkey catches him in the act and exposes him. The goat is beaten and given a bad reputation, while the monkey is praised for being clever. The story teaches a lesson about not being easily fooled.
10. How the Monkey Escaped Being Eaten: In this story, people had to eat meat when fruits and nuts became scarce. The man attempted to catch and eat the monkey, but failed multiple times until he finally caught him and put him in a pot to cook. The monkey tricked the man and children into letting him escape by dancing and getting them to put sticks and a coconut shell into the pot instead of him. The man tasted the “monkey stew,” but found no trace of the monkey and never attempted to make it again.
11. Naughty Jocko: This story is about a mischievous monkey named Jocko who is mistreated by his cruel owner. Jocko is saved by a young boy named Neddy and his aunt who nurse him back to health. Despite their efforts to keep him under control, Jocko’s mischievous behavior causes chaos and destruction wherever he goes. Eventually, Jocko meets a tragic end. The story ends with Neddy and his aunt learning a valuable lesson about taming misbehavior.
12. Echo and Narcissus: Echo, a nymph punished by Juno, falls in love with Narcissus, a handsome and vain young man. However, Echo can only repeat the last words she hears, so she follows him without speaking until he finally calls out, allowing her to respond. He rejects her, and she withers away into nothing but a voice and bones. Meanwhile, Narcissus falls in love with his own reflection and dies, causing people to remember the importance of humility and the destructiveness of self-centeredness. An ebook (PDF) download of the story is available.
13. Hyacinthus: The story is about a young and handsome prince named Hyacinthus who was loved by everyone including the gods Apollo and Zephyrus. Apollo and Hyacinthus played discus in a beautiful meadow, but Zephyrus, who was jealous of their bond, blew a gust of wind that changed the discus’s course and struck Hyacinthus. Apollo was unable to save his friend, and in his memory, he turned him into a beautiful hyacinth flower. The flower became a symbol of love and friendship, and Zephyrus vowed never to let his jealousy hurt anyone again. There’s a link to download the ebook in PDF format.
14. The Bumble-Bee: The story is about Uncle Paul explaining to his nieces and nephew the ways in which flowers reproduce, and how insects serve as the intermediary. Uncle Paul tells his nieces and nephew about how they experimented with pumpkin flowers, and how the pollen from the stamens must land on the stigmas to create pumpkins. Uncle Paul explains that insects are necessary for reproduction, and that flowers use nectar and bright spots to attract insects. The snapdragon’s yellow spot, for example, serves as the entrance to the corolla for bees. Uncle Paul argues that these facts are evidence of an intelligent design, rather than the result of chance.
15. Shells: In this story, Uncle Paul shares with his nieces and nephew his collection of shells from around the world and teaches them about the different types of shells found in the sea, fresh water, and on land. He also explains how snails make their shells from their own substance. Despite the snail being a garden pest, Uncle Paul reminds the children that there is still value in learning from it. The story includes a downloadable ebook in PDF format.
16. The Sea: In this story, a group of children ask a grown-up about the sea. They learn that the sea is very large and that it appears as a circular expanse of blue water surrounded by the sky. The speaker explains that the surface of the earth is mostly covered by water and that the actual depth of the sea can vary greatly. They also mention that the waters of the sea are not yellow and muddy, but rather greenish blue, and that the color can change depending on the weather. The children are amazed at the magnitude of the sea and its vastness.
17. Waves, Salt and Seaweed: The story is a conversation between a group of children and an adult discussing the sea. They talk about waves, storms, sea-water, salt, and seaweed. The adult explains that the tumultuous movements of the sea are necessary to keep it healthy. They also talk about how salt is obtained from the sea and how marine creatures get their nutrition. The story provides an insight into the mysteries of the sea and its importance in our ecosystem.
18. The Wasp and the Cricket: The story describes the life of the Yellow-winged Wasp, from the moment it emerges from its cocoon in July until it dies in the first cold snap of autumn. The wasp spends August searching for honey and then in September begins to dig burrows to lay eggs and store food for its young. The wasp is an expert hunter, paralyzing crickets with its sting and carrying them back to the burrows to serve as food. The wasps work in teams to dig burrows, frequently singing while they work. Once the wasp lays all its eggs and buries them in the hillsides, it returns to the flowers and continues a carefree life until its life comes to an end.
19. Rock Me to Sleep, Mother: The protagonist of the story longs to be a child again and one night, as if by magic, their wish is granted. Their mother appears in the same form as in their childhood and sings them a sweet lullaby, filling them with the joy of childhood once again. Safe in their mother’s embrace, the protagonist forgets all the troubles of adulthood and falls into a deep, peaceful sleep. The story highlights the unique and unbreakable bond between a mother and child, and how the love of a mother can provide the ultimate comfort and protection.
20. Earthquakes: The story describes a small village where the neighbors have been discussing strange occurrences since the previous night, such as the bellowing of cattle and the shaking of beds. The villagers learn from their uncle about the destructive power of earthquakes and the terrible disasters they can cause. Uncle Paul tells of the 1775 earthquake in Lisbon, which destroyed the city and killed thousands of people in just six minutes. The tale also mentions convulsions that lasted four years in Southern Italy in 1783, which destroyed several towns and villages, and killed over eighty thousand people. Uncle Paul emphasizes the importance of taking earthquakes seriously.
21. The Subterranean Furnace: The story discusses the high temperature at the bottom of mines and the presence of subterranean heat. The deeper one goes into the earth, the hotter the temperature becomes. Artesian wells and hot springs are used to study the distribution of heat in the earth. The story also explores the great heat that exists beneath the earth’s surface and how it’s only separated from us by a thin solid crust. The story touches on volcanic eruptions as safety valves for the subterranean vapors that tend to overturn the earth. Without them, the earth’s surface would seldom be still.
22. The Storm: A boy and his uncle set out to collect caterpillars for a science project on a hot day. While on their journey, they encounter a thunderstorm, taking shelter from it, narrowly avoiding being struck by a thunderbolt. The uncle enlightens the boy on the risk of seeking shelter under trees during a storm. The story highlights the importance of being aware of nature’s dangers and respecting them.
23. Electricity: In this story, Jules, Emile, and Claire ask their uncle about thunder and why they shouldn’t take refuge under trees during a storm. Their uncle explains that air, which is everywhere and in us, can be a very brutal substance when in violent motion, like during a thunderstorm. He then demonstrates the hidden substance of electricity using a stick of sealing-wax and a piece of paper. The children learn about this new phenomenon and are excited to learn more about it from their cat later that evening.
24. Thunder and Lightning: The passage explains the nature and dangers of lightning and thunder, and how they are related to electricity. It highlights the importance of understanding the dangers and taking precautions during a storm, such as avoiding tall and isolated trees, and using lightning conductors to protect buildings. The passage also emphasizes that thunder, despite its potential dangers, plays an essential role in purifying the atmosphere and rendering it healthy to breathe.
25. The Thunderbolt: The passage describes the effects of lightning on various objects, including people and animals. While a feeble electric spark might only cause a slight prick, a powerful electric shock can be painful, dangerous, or even deadly. The thunderbolt, which is an incomparably stronger spark than electric machines, can throw people down, injure them, or even kill them instantly. Although death is generally not caused by wounds, but rather the sudden and violent shock given to the body, the electric shock can sometimes only produce a passing disorder, or more or less paralyze some part of the body.
26. The Atmosphere: In this story, Uncle Paul teaches his young nieces and nephews about the importance of air and the atmosphere. He explains that air is necessary for all forms of life and that without it, we would not be able to survive. He also presents calculations to illustrate the immense weight of the Earth’s atmosphere and its importance for sustaining life. The story emphasizes the fragility of life and the interconnectedness of all living things with the environment.
27. The Gift of the Magi: In this story, a poor couple’s love for each other is tested on Christmas Eve when they struggle to afford gifts for one another. The wife sells her long, beautiful hair to buy her husband a chain for his treasured watch, only to discover that he has sold the watch to buy her combs for her hair. Despite sacrificing their most valued possessions, the couple cherishes the true gift of love and selflessness.
28. The Old Oak Tree’s Last Dream: The story is about a 365-year-old Oak tree that spends most of its time awake for three seasons and sleeps during winter. Every summer, a Day-fly dances around the tree, content with its one-day lifespan. The Oak tree feels sorry for the Day-fly and tells it that it will live for thousands of the Day-fly’s lifetimes. But the Day-fly argues that it will experience thousands of moments while the Oak tree lives, and the beauty of the world will not end when it dies. In the Oak tree’s last dream on Christmas Eve, he imagines all the plants and creatures around him rising up to join him in a higher plane of existence. The tree then falls during a storm, and on Christmas morning, the people on a passing ship unknowingly give it a funeral sermon as they sing hymns of joy and redemption.
29. The Adventure Of The Blue Carbuncle: The story explores the life of an ordinary man who has an extraordinary ability to retain all of his childhood memories. The protagonist’s unique gift creates challenges for him as he navigates through love, loss, and the mundanity of everyday life. He struggles with the burden of his memories and the isolation it brings, but ultimately, he learns to embrace his gift and find joy in the memories that define him.
30. The King’s Son and the Ogress: A prince who loves hunting is betrayed by his Vizier and is left in the desert with an ogress. The ogress’s children want to eat the prince, but he escapes and the ogress advises him to pray to God for protection. The prince prays and God delivers him, and he returns to his father and discovers the truth about the Vizier. The Vizier is executed, and the prince learns to trust in God.
31. The China Shepherdess And The Picture: The story is about a delicate china shepherdess who stands on a mantel, gazing at a boy in a picture on the wall. The boy tells her that he climbed up on a slippery chair and accidentally dropped her, resulting in her broken wrist. He promises to take her away with him when he grows up. Many years later, a man comes in and takes the china shepherdess, showing a little boy the mended wrist. The china shepherdess hopes she isn’t taken away and believes the little boy still loves her. Even though they don’t talk, the love they shared in the past remained forever young. Downloads include an ebook to read offline.

In conclusion, these Top 31 Stories for 13-year-olds offer a diverse and enthralling selection of narratives that cater to the unique tastes and interests of young teenagers. With tales of adventure, friendship, mystery, and fantasy, readers can embark on captivating journeys that not only entertain but also provide valuable life lessons and foster emotional growth. These stories, available for kids to read online, serve as an excellent platform for cultivating their love of reading, expanding their imagination, and encouraging their exploration of diverse themes and experiences. So, dive into these wonderful stories and let them transport you to exciting realms full of memorable characters, heartwarming moments, and thrilling adventures.