Two baby twins are found by a kind she-wolf beside the river. She keeps them safe until a shepherd takes them home. When they grow up, the brothers discover a beautiful hill and dream of building a city where everyone can belong—and so the story of Rome begins.
Long ago, in the land that would one day be Italy, two baby boys were placed in a basket and left by the great river Tiber. Instead of being alone, they were found by a she-wolf who had lost her own cubs. She did not hurt them; she fed them milk and kept them warm in her den. A shepherd named Faustulus found the wolf and the babies and, with his wife, took the twins home. They named them Romulus and Remus. The boys grew up strong and brave, loving the hills and the river. When they were older, they stood on a sunny hill by the Tiber and said: "Let us build a city here, a place where everyone can live in peace." So they did. That city became Rome. This is the ancient legend of Romulus and Remus, retold for little listeners—a story about being found, being loved, and building something beautiful together.
Long ago, in a sunny land of hills and a great river, a king was afraid that two baby boys might grow up to take his place. So he asked his servants to take the babies far away and leave them by the river. The servants put the twins in a little basket and left them on the bank of the river Tiber, where the reeds swayed in the wind.
The river rose and carried the basket gently downstream. It bumped against the shore and stopped near a quiet spot under a tree. The two babies slept inside, wrapped in soft cloth. They were not alone for long.
A she-wolf had lost her own cubs. When she heard the babies cry, she came out of her den and found the basket. She did not hurt them. She saw two little ones who needed milk and warmth. So she lay down beside the basket and fed them, and kept them safe like her own children.
A shepherd named Faustulus was walking by the river. He saw the wolf and the two babies. At first he could not believe his eyes. But when he saw how gently the wolf cared for them, he knew he had to help. He waited until the wolf went to drink, then he took the babies in his arms and carried them home to his wife.
Faustulus and his wife gave the boys names: Romulus and Remus. They raised them in a small house on the hillside. The twins drank goat milk, ate bread and olives, and played in the sunshine. They grew strong and kind.
Romulus and Remus loved to run on the hills and swim in the river. Sometimes they visited the spot where the basket had landed. They felt that this place was special. The sun shone on the hill, and the Tiber flowed below like a silver ribbon.
When the boys were older, Faustulus told them the story of how they were found. "A she-wolf kept you safe," he said. "Then we brought you home. You have always belonged somewhere—first with her, then with us." Romulus and Remus hugged him. They were grateful for their family.
One day the brothers stood on the highest hill above the river. "Look," said Remus. "This is the most beautiful place in the world." Romulus nodded. "Let us build a city here," he said. "A place where everyone can live in peace, where no one has to be left alone."
So Romulus and Remus gathered people from the hills and the valleys. "We will build a city on this hill," they said. "Everyone is welcome." The people brought stones and wood. They built walls and houses. They planted gardens. Everyone worked together.
The city grew. It had a name: Rome. Romulus and Remus became its first leaders. They remembered the she-wolf who had saved them and the shepherd who had given them a home. They wanted Rome to be a place of safety and welcome for all.
To this day, people tell the story of the two babies in the basket, the kind she-wolf, and the shepherd who took them in. They say that Rome began with love: the love of a wolf for two children, and the love of a family that chose to care.
And that is the story of Romulus and Remus. It reminds us that even the smallest ones can be found, kept safe, and grow up to build something beautiful. Just like Rome, every good thing begins with a little bit of love.
Introduction
Romulus and Remus is the ancient Roman legend of two baby twins saved by a she-wolf and raised by a shepherd. Retold for children aged 6-8, this version focuses on being found, belonging, and building a city together—without violence. Perfect for bedtime or for learning about Roman mythology in a gentle way.
About Roman Legend
Roman mythology is full of stories about gods, heroes, and the founding of Rome. The tale of Romulus and Remus was passed down for centuries and remains a symbol of Rome's origins. Retellings for children often focus on the she-wolf's care and the brothers' dream of a city, so that the legend can be shared in an age-appropriate way.
Values and Lessons
Romulus and Remus teaches that even when things start in a difficult way, we can be found and cared for. The she-wolf and the shepherd show that family and kindness can come in many forms. The brothers then dream of a place where everyone belongs—a message of hope and community that still matters today.
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Romulus and Remus
Romulus and Remus is the ancient Roman legend of two baby twins saved by a she-wolf and raised by a shepherd. Retold for children aged 6-8, this version focuses on being found, belonging, and building a city together—without violence. Perfect for bedtime or for learning about Roman mythology in a gentle way.
Origin of the Story
The legend of Romulus and Remus is one of the most famous stories of ancient Rome. Romans told it to explain how their city was founded, around 753 BCE. This version is retold for young children, keeping the wonder of the wolf and the shepherd and the dream of building Rome, without the violence that appears in the original tale.
About Roman Legend
Roman mythology is full of stories about gods, heroes, and the founding of Rome. The tale of Romulus and Remus was passed down for centuries and remains a symbol of Rome's origins. Retellings for children often focus on the she-wolf's care and the brothers' dream of a city, so that the legend can be shared in an age-appropriate way.
Values and Lessons
Romulus and Remus teaches that even when things start in a difficult way, we can be found and cared for. The she-wolf and the shepherd show that family and kindness can come in many forms. The brothers then dream of a place where everyone belongs—a message of hope and community that still matters today.
family
courage
belonging
hope
community
Related Activities
🎨
Draw the She-Wolf and the Babies
Have children draw the wolf lying gently beside the basket with the two babies. Use soft grey and brown for the wolf and warm colors for the babies and the river.
💬
Map the River and the Hill
Look at a simple map of Italy and find Rome and the river Tiber. Talk about how many stories and cities start near a river.
✨
Talk About Being Found
Discuss: Who in the story made sure Romulus and Remus were safe? Who makes sure you feel safe and loved?
Frequently Asked Questions
❓Is the story of Romulus and Remus true?
It is an ancient legend. Romans believed it explained how their city began. We do not know exactly what happened, but the tale has been told for thousands of years and teaches us about courage, family, and hope.
❓Why did the she-wolf help the babies?
In the legend, the wolf had lost her own cubs and cared for the twins like her own. The story shows that kindness can come from unexpected places—even from an animal we might not expect to help.
❓What age is this story for?
This retelling is for children aged 6-8. It avoids the darker parts of the legend and focuses on being found, loved, and building something good together.
❓What is Rome?
Rome is the capital of Italy and was once the center of a great empire. According to the legend, it was founded by Romulus and Remus on a hill by the river Tiber.
❓How long does it take to read?
The story takes about 5 to 6 minutes to read aloud, ideal for bedtime or a first introduction to Roman legends.
