Aesop
|
Greece

The Belly and The Members

Body parts rebel against the Belly for not working but realize everyone has important roles, leading to mutual appreciation.
Responsibility
Unity
Appreciation
Aesop's Fables - The Belly and The Members
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, all parts of the body were good friends. But one sunny day, they started to think. They noticed they were working non-stop, while the Belly seemed to just sit back and enjoy all the yummy food. They thought this wasn't fair! So, they all got together and decided not to work until the Belly agreed to do its bit.

For a day or two, the Hands stopped bringing food, the Mouth didn't open to eat, and the Teeth had nothing to chew. At first, they were proud of their bold move. But soon, they started feeling weak. The Hands became shaky, the Mouth was dry, and the Legs felt too wobbly to stand.

They realized that even though the Belly looked like it was just relaxing, it was actually working hard too, turning food into energy for everyone. They understood that everyone had their own jobs to do. They couldn't all do the same work, and every job was important to keep the body healthy and happy. So, they all went back to doing their best at their own jobs, appreciating each other's work, and lived happily ever after.

Once upon a time in the land of Bodyville, all the parts of the body were chums. Real pals they were! But one bright and shiny day, they started to think, and the thoughts were... well, not so shiny.

"Oi! What's Belly up to, just sitting there, all smug-like?" said the Hands, while juggling an apple and a sandwich. "Looks like a lazy old lump, enjoying the feast!"

"Yeah, it's like it's having a tea party in there, and we're not invited!" chimed in the Mouth, puckering its lips as if sipping tea at a grand banquet.

The Teeth chimed in, "Well, I say, let's go on strike! No chomping until the Belly does something. Anything!"

And so, with a great big huff and a puff, they all stopped. Hands quit handing, Mouth stopped munching, and Teeth took a vacation from chewing.

At first, they felt quite proud, like heroes on a grand quest. "Take that, Belly!" they exclaimed. But then, something peculiar happened. The Hands got the shakes like they'd been dancing the Twist. The Mouth felt as dry as a comedian without a punchline, and the Legs? Oh, they wobbled like a jelly on a plate.

"Well, this isn't quite what I had in mind," the Hands stammered.

"You and me both!" the Mouth agreed, sounding like it had lost its favorite comedy routine.

That's when they started to notice that the Belly wasn't just having a jolly good time in there. It was working hard, like a chef in a busy kitchen, turning food into energy. Fancy that!

"Oh dear," the Teeth said, realizing their mistake. "We've been like a comedy duo without the laughs."

They all nodded, even the Legs, though wobbly, and they knew that everyone had their own gig. They couldn't all do stand-up or juggle apples; they had to keep the show going with their own special talents.

So they all went back to what they did best, appreciating each other's work like fans at a rock concert, and they lived happily and healthily ever after. And the Belly? Well, it kept on enjoying those tea parties, but now with a knowing smile.

Every limb and part, as friends, they'd start,
Sharing tales and giggles, close to the heart.
But one sunny day, a thought did sprout,
"Why does the Belly just sit and pout?

He enjoys tasty treats, while we all run,
It seems he has all the lazy fun!"
So the parts made a pact, quite compact,
"To not work," they said, "and that's a fact!"

Hands, they paused, not a morsel they took,
Mouth stayed closed, not even a look.
Teeth felt lonely with nothing to bite,
All seemed quiet, not quite right.

For a moment, their pride soared so high,
But soon they felt weak, and here's why:
Hands started trembling, the Mouth went dry,
Legs wobbled around, oh my, oh my!

Then they saw, the Belly’s true might,
Turning food to energy, day and night.
It wasn’t just chilling, as they thought before,
It fueled every part, core to the core.

Each had a role, unique and so neat,
Working together made them complete.
They danced and they sang, understanding the score,
Together as one, forever more.

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. Why did the body parts initially think the Belly wasn't working as hard as they were?
  2. How did the body parts feel after they stopped working for a day or two?
  3. Why is the Belly's job important to the functioning of the whole body?
  4. Can you think of a situation where someone's work might not look important but actually is, just like the Belly in the story?
  5. What does this story teach us about understanding, appreciating, and valuing everyone's contributions, no matter how different they may seem?

Fable Quotes

Responsibility is the key to a harmonious whole; each part contributes, and together, we thrive.
Unity bridges the gap of division.
In appreciation, we find beauty.
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