Little Fables, Big World · Book 1 · Ages 3–6
“It’s MINE!” A Rhyming Fable About Sharing, With Three Moves That Work
Two cat friends find one golden cake, and a very helpful monkey offers to make it fair, one nibble at a time. Retold from the Panchatantra, this read-aloud gives children three simple moves for the next tug-of-war: split it, trade it, or take a turn. For ages 3 to 6.
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- Formats
- Paperback · Kindle
- Ages
- 3–6
- Print length
- 36 pages
- Published
- August 8, 2026
- Series
- Little Fables, Big World · Book 1
When “Just Share!” Doesn’t Work
One toy, two children and a tug-of-war. Telling them to share rarely settles it, because sharing is really a set of skills, and small children haven’t yet learned which one fits the moment.
In the old tale, Meena and Mohan argue over a cake until Bandar the monkey “helps” by nibbling each half even, again and again, until only crumbs are left.
Split It, Trade It, Take a Turn
The story hides three moves a young child can use: split it when the thing can fairly break in two, trade it when each of you has something the other wants, and take a turn when it has to stay whole.
The real skill is choosing the move that fits, which is exactly what two squirrels work out when they realise a pinecone can’t be split. Children join in on the chant by the second reading: “Split it! Trade it! Take a turn!”
At the back: a note for grown-ups on why “just share” so rarely works, conversation starters, things to try at home and a ten-second script for the moment it’s happening.
Look inside Mine & Ours
A few watercolour pages from the story. Tap any page to see it larger.
What Your Child Takes Away
Mine & Ours gives children a choice of fair moves instead of a single rule, and gives grown-ups a calm script for squabbles over toys, treats and turns.
Three Fair Moves
Split it, trade it, take a turn: simple options a three-year-old can remember.
Choosing What Fits
Children practise picking the right move, just like the squirrels with their pinecone.
Putting Things Right
Bandar names what he did, says sorry and offers a mend, showing how repair works.
A Timeless Tale
An ancient Panchatantra fable, retold gently for today’s listeners.
From the author
Why I Wrote Mine & Ours
I’m Ujjwal Ganesh, father of two daughters, and I have refereed my share of tug-of-wars. The Panchatantra has been told to children in India for more than two thousand years, and I wanted to hand these stories on with one small, usable tool inside each one.
Mine & Ours is Book 1 of Little Fables, Big World. Every book stands on its own, so you can start with whichever tangle your child is in today.
Paid links: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
