John Gay
|
England

Hound and Huntsman

A young puppy learns to listen and respect the experience of older dogs before becoming a true hunter.
Teamwork
Patience
Respect
Hound and Huntsman
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, a group of hunting dogs were ready for an adventure. The sky was clear, and the warm wind carried the smell of animals nearby. The dogs rushed out of their shelter, excited and eager, much like children bursting out of school. They greeted their master happily, feeling proud as he called each one by name.

The dogs listened carefully to their master’s commands. When he told them to search, they scattered through the woods, sniffing the air and ground to pick up a trail.

Among them was a young puppy. He was new, energetic, and eager to show off. Without thinking, he barked loudly, as if he had found something big. The older dogs just listened; they knew he was just excited and didn’t have much experience yet. But then, the puppy’s barking got louder, as if he was leading the whole hunt.

The master noticed this and walked over to the puppy. He gave the puppy a light tap with his whip as a gentle reminder to stay calm. The puppy, surprised, whined, "Why are you stopping me? Isn’t it good that I can smell the trail?"

The master replied, "Being young means you’re still learning. You should listen to those who know more than you. Loud, impatient barking doesn’t help; it only bothers the others. If you can learn to work with the group and respect their patience, one day you’ll be part of the hunt, just like the older dogs. But for now, remember to wait and learn."

The puppy lowered his head, realizing he had much to learn from the older dogs before he could be a real hunter.

Once upon a time, a group of hunting dogs gathered for an exciting day in the woods. The sky was as blue as a dog’s dream about endless sausages, and the warm wind carried the smell of squirrels and rabbits. The dogs wiggled with excitement like popcorn in a hot pan.

“Alright, team! Let’s sniff and shine!” barked one of the older dogs, who had clearly been through this routine a few times. The younger ones wiggled even harder, like they’d just had too many treats.

Their master appeared, whistling and calling their names. The dogs lined up like soldiers, tails wagging so hard it looked like they might take off.

The moment the master gave the signal, they scattered into the woods. Noses to the ground, ears perked, tails at full wag—it was the ultimate doggy detective squad.

Among them was a young puppy, a ball of energy wrapped in fur, who had only just joined the team. He darted left, then right, then left again, like he couldn’t decide which way to go. Suddenly, he stopped and barked.

“FOUND IT! FOUND IT! I’M A GENIUS!” he yapped, his tail wagging so fast it looked like it might unscrew.

The older dogs paused. One raised an eyebrow. “Found what?”

“The thing! The...uh...sniffable thing!”

The older dogs exchanged glances. “Rookie,” one muttered, shaking his head.

But the puppy was not discouraged. He barked louder. “EVERYONE FOLLOW ME! I AM THE LEADER NOW!”

“Oh, boy,” sighed another dog. “This is going to end with someone stepping on a thorn. Probably me.”

The master noticed the commotion and walked over. He crouched down, gave the puppy a light tap with his whip—not to hurt, but just enough to get his attention.

“Oi! What’s the big idea?” whined the puppy, flopping over dramatically like a theater star. “I was about to lead us to victory!”

The master chuckled. “Victory? Son, you’re barking at a patch of dandelions.”

“Dandelions smell suspicious!” the puppy protested. “Could be a sneaky rabbit in disguise!”

One of the older dogs snorted. “Yeah, sure. Next thing you’ll say the breeze is a squirrel trying to escape.”

“Enough,” said the master gently. “Listen, pup. It’s great that you’re excited. But being loud and rushing in doesn’t help. You’ve got to watch, listen, and learn from those who’ve been doing this longer.”

The puppy tilted his head. “So...no barking? What am I supposed to do? Mime the trail?”

“Less barking, more teamwork,” said the master with a smile. “One day, you’ll be just as skilled as the others. But for now, your job is to learn. Patience, little one.”

The puppy sighed and plopped onto the ground. “Fine. But I still think those dandelions were up to something.”

The older dogs chuckled, and one leaned over. “Stick with us, kid. We’ll teach you how to sniff out the real sneaky stuff.”

And so, the puppy followed the pack, keeping his barks to a minimum. Well, mostly. It’s hard to stay quiet when you’re full of excitement and just know the bushes might be plotting something.

In a field where the grasses grew so tall,
A young, proud horse began to call.
His mane flew high, his eyes did gleam,
And his voice rang out like a rushing stream:

“Why must we work for humans all day?
They’re weak and small—just in our way!
We pull their carts, their loads we bear,
Yet they give commands as if it’s fair!”

“They love their freedom, or so they claim,
But our hard labor, they never name.
If you want freedom, then join with me—
Together, my friends, we can all be free!”

The horses stomped and gave a cheer,
But then, from the back, a voice drew near.
An old, wise horse stepped into the sun,
His years were many, his work long done.

“Young one,” he said, “your fire is bright,
But wisdom comes with age and sight.
I worked for humans in days gone by,
And now I rest while they supply.”

“They give us hay, a stable, and care,
Shelter from storms, with warmth to spare.
They know the seasons for crops to grow,
And share the food that their labors show.”

“Horses and humans share their days,
We each have roles in our own ways.
They need our strength; we need their plan,
Together, we thrive, both horse and man.”

The young horse listened, his fire subdued,
The old one’s words had softened his mood.
He thought for a moment and gave a nod,
Respecting the wisdom the old one had trod.

“Perhaps,” he said, “I judged too fast,
The world is best when bonds hold fast.
I’ll work with humans, for now, I see,
Together we shape our destiny.”

The herd stood still, then gave a neigh,
A sign they’d work in a peaceful way.
For horse and human, a truth was found—
Together, they make the world go round.

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Understanding Questions

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the master stopped the puppy from barking so loudly?
  2. How did the older dogs show their experience during the hunt?
  3. Can you think of a time when you were really excited about something but had to be patient and learn first?
  4. Why is it important to listen to others who have more experience, like the puppy needed to?
  5. What does this story teach us about teamwork and learning from others?

Fable Quotes

"Success comes when we work as one."
"Great things are achieved by waiting and working together."
"Honoring experience leads to shared success."
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