Aesop
|
Greece

A Bat, Thorn Bush and Gull

A Bat, Thorn Bush, and Seagull started a business, but their ship sank, making the Bat hide, Seagull search, and Thorn Bush cling to fabric.
Adaptability
Courage
Resourcefulness
Featured in Fable Book
Aesop's Fables - A Bat, Thorn Bush and Gull
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, a Bat, a Thorn Bush, and a Seagull decided to work together. They wanted to start a business to sell two things: fabric from the Thorn Bush and bronze from the Seagull. The Bat, being a very rich creature, offered to lend the money they needed to start their business.

They loaded a large ship with their precious fabric and bronze and set sail across the wide sea. But oh, how the sea can be cruel! A terrible storm brewed up one day, throwing their ship against the rough waves. Despite their best efforts, the ship sank, taking all their business materials with it.

After the shipwreck, each of the partners reacted in a different way. The Bat, scared of facing the people he owed money to because of the lost business, decided to hide during the day. He thought if he only came out at night, he wouldn't have to face the others and the money he owed.

The Seagull, being a brave bird, didn't lose hope. He flew over the vast sea every day, tirelessly searching for the bronze that was lost.

The Thorn Bush, on the other hand, stayed rooted on the shore. Any piece of fabric that the sea washed up, he caught with his thorny branches, hoping to recover some of what was lost.

Their loss had changed them, shaping their behavior. The Bat now loved the night, the Seagull became a sea explorer, and the Thorn Bush clung onto every fabric it could.

Once upon a time, three friends decided to work together. One friend was a Bat, another was a Thorn Bush, and the last friend was a Seagull. They wanted to start a business and sell two things: cloth from the Thorn Bush and shiny metal from the Seagull. The Bat had a lot of money and said, "I will lend you the money we need to start our business."

They loaded a big ship with their precious cloth and metal and set off across the wide sea. But the sea can be very tricky! One day, a terrible storm came. It made big waves that tossed their ship around. Despite trying their best, the ship sank, taking all their business things with it.

After the shipwreck, each friend reacted in a different way. The Bat was scared because he owed money. He decided to hide during the day and only come out at night so he wouldn't have to face the people he owed.

The Seagull, being a brave bird, did not give up. Every day, he flew over the big sea, looking for the lost metal.

The Thorn Bush, however, stayed on the shore. Whenever the sea washed up a piece of cloth, he caught it with his sharp branches, hoping to get back some of what was lost.

Their loss had changed them. The Bat now loved the night, the Seagull became a sea explorer, and the Thorn Bush held onto every piece of cloth it could find.

Once upon a time, three friends decided to work together. One friend was a Bat, another was a Thorn Bush, and the last friend was a Seagull. They wanted to start a business and sell two things: cloth from the Thorn Bush and shiny metal from the Seagull. The Bat had a lot of money and said, "I will lend you the money we need to start our business."

They loaded a big ship with their precious cloth and metal and set off across the wide sea. But the sea can be very tricky! One day, a terrible storm came. It made big waves that tossed their ship around. Despite trying their best, the ship sank, taking all their business things with it.

After the shipwreck, each friend reacted in a different way. The Bat was scared because he owed money. He decided to hide during the day and only come out at night so he wouldn't have to face the people he owed.

The Seagull, being a brave bird, did not give up. Every day, he flew over the big sea, looking for the lost metal.

The Thorn Bush, however, stayed on the shore. Whenever the sea washed up a piece of cloth, he caught it with his sharp branches, hoping to get back some of what was lost.

Their loss had changed them. The Bat now loved the night, the Seagull became a sea explorer, and the Thorn Bush held onto every piece of cloth it could find.

Once upon a super fun time, there were three best buds: a Bat who was awesome at counting, a Seagull who loved flying around like a superhero, and a Thorn Bush that made really cool clothes. They thought, "Hey, why not become business partners and earn some cookie money!"

Bat said, "Hey, I'll front the cash, alright? We're gonna be big, like mega-blockbuster big!" High-fives all around! Well, sorta. The Thorn Bush tried but, ya know, prickly.

They filled a big, big boat with fancy cloth from Thorn Bush and shiny metal from Seagull. Off they went, sailing like pirates. But guess what? The ocean had a tantrum. It was like, "Nope, not today!" and splashed them like a giant bath toy.

Splash! Splash! Down went the boat and all their stuff was now at the bottom of the ocean—gone like a lost toy.

After that big splash, everyone felt kinda blue. Bat said, "No way, no day! If I only go out at night, no one can ask for their money back!" So he became a night-time adventurer, like he was in a forever game of hide-and-seek.

Seagull put on his brave face and said, "No biggie! I'll find our stuff or turn my feathers into pillows!" He flew high and low, looking for their shiny metal, like a birdie detective.

Thorn Bush stayed at the beach, arms wide open. Any cloth that the ocean gave back, he snagged with his prickly arms. "Gotcha!" he shouted, like he was playing the world's biggest game of tag.

And so, they each found a new groove. Bat reveled in his night-time adventures, turning darkness into his playground. Seagull became a day-time hero, flying high and low like a sky detective searching for buried treasure. Thorn Bush stood strong by the shore, catching whatever the tides would bring back, as if giving the ocean a high-five every single time.

Their challenges had shaped them, transforming them into versions of themselves they had never imagined but now wouldn't trade for the world.

Three pals, a Bat, a Bush, and Gull,
Dreamed of a business sure to pull.
With fabric fine and bronze so grand,
They'd be the richest in the land.

The Bat, with pockets deep and wide,
Said, "Friends, my wealth is on your side."
Upon a ship, they stashed their wares,
And sailed with hopes, through open airs.

But seas are fierce and skies are gray,
A storm arose and swept their way.
Despite their fight, the ship went down,
Their dreams dispersed, their hopes did drown.

Now each reacted not the same,
This storm had played a fickle game.
The Bat said, "Night will be my shield,
No debts to face, I'm in the field."

The Gull took flight with courage new,
Across the seas and salty blue.
In search of bronze, from dawn till dusk,
He flew and flew, in this he'd trust.

The Bush stood firm along the coast,
With thorny arms, a sturdy post.
Each wave that tossed some fabric near,
He grabbed it fast, to keep it clear.

This tale did shape them, come what may,
In work and hope, and night and day.
The Bat loves night, the Gull loves sea,
The Bush clings tight to what could be.

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Word Finder

  1. Lend:

    To give something temporarily, expecting it back.

  2. Precious:

    Very valuable or important, often rare.

  3. Shipwreck:

    When a ship is destroyed or sunk at sea.

  4. Owed:

    When you need to give something back to someone.

  5. Explorer:

    Someone who travels to learn about new places.

  6. Business:

    An activity of buying and selling things.

  7. Reacted:

    How someone behaves when something happens.

  8. Tricky:

    Something that is difficult or not easy to handle.

  9. Despite:

    Even though something else is happening.

  10. Decided:

    To make a choice about what to do.

Understanding Questions

  1. Why did the three friends decide to work together?
  2. What items did they plan to sell, and who was responsible for each item?
  3. How did the storm affect the friends' business?
  4. What did the Bat do after the shipwreck, and why did he choose to do this?
  5. How did the Thorn Bush and the Seagull each try to recover what they had lost?
Word Finder
  1. Lend:

    To give something temporarily, expecting it back.

  2. Precious:

    Very valuable or important, often rare.

  3. Shipwreck:

    When a ship is destroyed or sunk at sea.

  4. Owed:

    When you need to give something back to someone.

  5. Explorer:

    Someone who travels to learn about new places.

  6. Business:

    An activity of buying and selling things.

  7. Reacted:

    How someone behaves when something happens.

  8. Tricky:

    Something that is difficult or not easy to handle.

  9. Despite:

    Even though something else is happening.

  10. Decided:

    To make a choice about what to do.

Understanding Questions
  1. What did the friends decide to do?

    1. Start a business
    2. Go on vacation
    3. Help a neighbor
    4. Travel the world
  2. What items did they plan to sell, and who was responsible for each item?

    1. Food, Clothing, Tools, Toys
    2. Books, Furniture, Electronics, Jewelry
    3. Art, Music, Sports, Games
    4. Plants, Animals, Vehicles, Equipment
  3. How did the storm affect the friends' business?

    1. It helped them sell more
    2. It destroyed their stock
    3. It brought in new customers
    4. It made them famous
  4. What did the Bat do after the shipwreck, and why did he choose to do this?

    1. He flew away to safety
    2. He searched for treasure
    3. He helped his friends
    4. He gave up hope
  5. How did the Thorn Bush and the Seagull each try to recover what they had lost?

    1. By asking for help
    2. By working together
    3. By hiding away
    4. By trying different methods
  1. Why did the three friends decide to work together?
  2. What items did they plan to sell, and who was responsible for each item?
  3. How did the storm affect the friends' business?
  4. What did the Bat do after the shipwreck, and why did he choose to do this?
  5. How did the Thorn Bush and the Seagull each try to recover what they had lost?
  1. Why did the three friends decide to work together?
  2. What items did they plan to sell, and who was responsible for each item?
  3. How did the storm affect the friends' business?
  4. What did the Bat do after the shipwreck, and why did he choose to do this?
  5. How did the Thorn Bush and the Seagull each try to recover what they had lost?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the Bat chose to hide at night instead of facing his problems?
  2. How did the Seagull show courage even after they lost everything in the storm?
  3. Why do you think the Thorn Bush stayed rooted on the shore, catching pieces of fabric?
  4. What does this story teach us about how different people respond to the same difficult situation?
  5. Can you think of a situation where you reacted like the Bat, the Seagull, or the Thorn Bush?
Fable Quotes
In changing tides, we learn to ride the waves or find a new shore.
Courage is the unwavering wing that soars above adversity, persisting in the pursuit of lost treasures.
In the face of loss, resourcefulness blooms, catching the fragments of hope with thorny branches.
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