Aesop
|
Greece

The Disdainful Horse

A proud Horse mocks a slow Ass, but later finds himself old and doing the same work he once ridiculed.
Pride
Humility
Equality
Aesop's Fables - The Disdainful Horse
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, there was a Horse who loved to show off. He was always dressed in fancy clothes, and he was very proud. One day, he saw an Ass carrying a heavy load on a busy road. The Ass was moving slowly to get out of the Horse's way.

"Watch out, Ass!" the Horse said, snootily. "I might kick you because you're so slow!" But the Ass didn't say anything. He just looked at the sky, hoping that things would be fair one day.

As time passed, the Horse grew old and tired. He wasn't as strong as he used to be, and his owner sent him to work on the farm. One day, the Ass saw the Horse pulling a cart full of muck. The Horse didn't look proud anymore, and he didn't have his fancy clothes.

The Ass couldn't help but chuckle. "Where are your pretty clothes now, Horse?" he asked. "You used to be so proud, but now you're doing the same work you made fun of me for."

This was the moment when the Horse realized his mistake. He thought about his past arrogance and felt a pang of regret. He understood that he had been wrong to mock the Ass, and now he was doing the same job he had once looked down upon.

Once upon a time, in a land that really could have used a map, there was a Horse who thought he was the coolest thing on four legs. Imagine him with super shiny horseshoes and a mane that looked like it got brushed every single day. His ego was bigger than a big red barn.

"Make way, make way for me!" he'd neigh as he trotted by. "I'm the coolest Horse around!"

One sunny day, Horse happened upon an Ass, who was carrying a ton of veggies down a crowded road. So slow, he made a snail look like a race car.

"Hey, Ass! Hurry up!" Horse danced around him. "I have places to go, and people to wow! If you're not quick, I'll show you my super kick!"

The Ass just sighed, looked up at the sky, and muttered, "Maybe one day things will be fair, and I'll get to do something exciting while Horse here learns what hard work is."

Years flew by, and Horse wasn't the talk of the town anymore. All his sparkle faded away. He found himself pulling carts full of, well, let's just call it 'leftover food,' on a farm.

One day, Ass strolls by and spots Horse struggling. He couldn't help but laugh a laugh so big, it would make you snort a little.

"Hey, Horse, you're not looking so flashy anymore, huh?" Ass said. "What happened to your fancy walk and your superstar attitude? You used to act like you were better than me, but now you’re pulling a cart full of... is that stinky stuff?"

Horse paused, his face turning red. He finally got it.

"Wow, I'm the joke now, aren't I?" Horse said, looking really sorry for himself. "Life sure has a funny way of flipping things around."

Ass grinned, "Yep, you got it. One day you're the coolest, and the next, you're just like the rest of us, working hard and getting dirty."

And just like that, Horse learned a big lesson: Being proud and showy doesn't make you better than anyone else. Sometimes, it might just make you end up pulling a cart of stinky leftovers.

Beyond the bustling town’s clear brook,
Lived a Horse with a proud, grand look.
Decked in finery, shining so bright,
He'd prance around, basking in the light.

One day, on a path, clear and free,
The Ass trudged, laden as can be.
“Move, slow Ass, out of my spree,
Or my hooves might kick, so heed my plea."

But the Ass just sighed, eyes on the sky,
Dreaming of fairness, by and by.
Years passed by, and the Horse did age,
His fancy attire, no longer the rage.

On farm fields he worked, grace now sparse,
Dragging muck, life’s challenging farce.
By trotted the Ass, chuckling to see,
The Horse, humbled, as humble can be.

"Remember the days, you'd parade in glee?"
The Ass teased, "Look where you came to be."
The Horse felt the sting, remorse in his heart,
Promised to be kind, making a fresh start.

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the Horse liked to show off and was mean to the Ass at the beginning?
  2. How did the Horse's life change as he got older and why?
  3. Can you think of a time when someone's behavior changed when their situation changed, like the Horse's did?
  4. What does this story teach us about the importance of treating everyone with respect, no matter their job or role?
  5. How can we use the lesson from this story in our own lives to treat everyone kindly and fairly, no matter what they do?

Fable Quotes

Pride in appearances can tarnish, true dignity comes from humility within.
The wheel of time humbles all, it's best to start humble.
No job is too small; respect all work equally.
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