Aesop
|
Greece

A Mountain in Labor

A majestic Mountain with strange noises drew crowds of curious people, but their long wait revealed a humble Mouse instead.
Patience
Curiosity
Perception
Aesop's Fables - A Mountain in Labor
Audio available for B1 version

Once, there was a huge Mountain that stood tall over the land. It was no ordinary Mountain. Strange noises came from its top, making the ground shake. The nearby villagers grew curious and whispered to each other, believing something extraordinary was about to happen.

Word of this incredible event spread far and wide. People from all corners of the kingdom came, filled with wonder and excitement. They traveled across rough terrain and vast fields, eager to witness the wonder. They gathered around the Mountain, eagerly waiting for something amazing to appear.

The Mountain rumbled, and the people held their breath, filled with anticipation. Day after day, they patiently waited for the Mountain's reveal. However, as time went on, their patience wore thin. The children complained of hunger, and the adults grew tired. Still, their curiosity kept them there, even with their growing frustration.

Finally, the moment arrived. There was a faint rustle, and a small Mouse emerged from a tiny hole at the Mountain's base. The people couldn't believe it—a tiny creature was all they got instead of something grand.

The Mountain grew quiet, and the crowd laughed in surprise. Their long wait had only brought forth a small Mouse. It was a realization that brought amusement and a little wisdom. They had expected so much, only to receive so little.

In a land filled with twisty trails and bumpy bits, there stood a Mountain so huge it could high-five the clouds. And this wasn't just any old Mountain. Oh no, it was a Mountain with a musical taste! It made noises that went "Grrr" and "Rumble," and sometimes even sang in the shower. The villagers nearby would look at each other and say, "Do you hear that? It's like the Mountain's playing 'Guess That Tune' with us!" They were as curious as cats and as excited as dogs with two tails.

News about the Mountain's mysterious melodies spread faster than butter on hot toast. People from places you couldn't even pronounce came to see what all the fuss was about. They traveled over wild woods and marshy marshes, wearing their best 'Mountain-watching' hats, ready to see the magic unfold.

As they gathered around the Mountain, waiting and waiting, you could feel the excitement bubbling like a pot of grandma's famous stew. They waited all morning. They waited all afternoon. They even waited past bedtime (but don't tell mom).

Days turned into weeks, and the people started getting a little antsy. The children whined, "I'm hungrier than a bear after a nap!" and the adults' excitement turned into yawns bigger than the Mountain itself.

And then, at last, it happened! The Mountain gave a little wiggle, a bit of a jiggle, and then, with all the drama of opening a can of pickles, out popped a small Mouse from a teensy-weensy hole at the Mountain's base.

The people blinked their eyes, rubbed their heads, and then burst into giggles. "That's it? A Mouse? We were expecting something more like a dragon having a tea party!"

But you see, the Mountain had the last laugh. It taught them a funny little lesson without saying a word. Sometimes big things come in small packages, and sometimes huge mountains play hide-and-seek with tiny mice. And the next time you're expecting something grand, just remember, it might be a little mouse with big ideas. With a wink and a smile, the Mountain went back to humming its tunes, and the people went home, chuckling all the way, their hearts a little wiser and their bellies aching from laughter.

Upon a lofty land so wide,
Stood a Mountain, full of pride.
Noises echoed, ground did quake,
Curiosity did it awake.

Whispers grew, tales took flight,
Of the Mountain's looming might.
From every nook, folks did race,
Eyes wide with wonder, keeping pace.

Over meadows, past the streams,
They came with hopes and dreams,
To the Mountain's foot they stood,
All awaiting something good.

The Mountain's rumble, loud and deep,
Made the villagers hardly sleep.
Children's tummies began to moan,
Adults sighed with a tired groan.

Then a rustle, so soft and slight,
Drew every eager, waiting sight.
From a tiny hole, out did pop,
A small Mouse, with a gentle hop.

Laughter rang, surprise took hold,
Not the giant tale they'd been told.
For after all the grand display,
A tiny Mouse had made their day.

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Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the villagers were so excited about the noises coming from the Mountain?
  2. How did the villagers feel when they saw a tiny mouse instead of something grand emerging from the Mountain?
  3. Can you think of a time when you expected something big to happen, but the result was much smaller or different?
  4. What does this story teach us about our expectations and the reality of situations?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story in our lives, especially when we're expecting something big to happen?

Fable Quotes

Patience often promises grandeur, yet it may yield simplicity.
Curiosity ignites adventure, but remember, not all that glitters is gold.
A mountain's secret or a mouse's surprise, perception colors our eyes.
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