Aesop
|
Greece

The Dogs and The Hides

Hungry dogs drank too much river water to reach hides, causing their bellies to burst, but the hides remain unreachable.
Desire
Moderation
Wisdom
Aesop's Fables - The Dogs and The Hides
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, in a land of animals, a pack of hungry dogs found some hides in a river. They wanted to eat these hides. "If we drink the river, we can reach the hides," they thought. Excited, they began to drink the water.

With each gulp, their bellies grew bigger. But the hides were still too far to reach. They decided to drink more.

However, in their eagerness, they didn't notice their tummies were already full. Suddenly, they felt a strong pain in their bellies. They had drunk so much that their bellies felt like they were about to burst.

They looked at each other, their bellies large, and the hides still unreachable. They realized their mistake. They drank too much, and now their bellies hurt. The river, despite their efforts, was still just as deep as before.

Once upon a time, in a funky land, a pack of dogs with serious munchies came across some tantalizing hides floating in a river. One dog, shaking his furry head dramatically, exclaimed, "Oi! Look at those delicious hides doing the backstroke! Let's have them for dinner!" Another dog scratched his chin, "Hmm, what if we slurp up the river? That'll bring those floaty snacks closer, right?" With a wink and a nod, they started gulping down the water like it was the latest energy drink. “Tastes like...water flavored water,” one mused.

But the more they drank, the rounder their bellies became. Kind of like balloons at a kids' party. "Oi! Anyone seen my paws? My belly's in the way!" joked one.

Yet, no matter how much they drank, those cheeky hides seemed to do the doggy paddle away from them, always just out of reach. “Is it just me,” one dog pondered aloud, “or are those hides playing hard to get?”

Suddenly, a sharp pain hit them, making their eyes bulge like cartoon characters. "Blimey! My belly feels like it's hosting a dance party and everyone's doing the cha-cha!"

The dogs groaned and lay down, their bellies resembling mini hills. They all looked at each other, a bit embarrassed. One said, “Well, that didn’t go as planned. Next time, let’s just order takeout.”

And so, the dogs learned that sometimes, it's not the best idea to bite off more than you can chew. And maybe, just maybe, not all floaty things in the river are up for grabs.

Beyond the mountains, where the sky meets the shore,
Lived a group of dogs, always looking for more.
One bright day, they spotted, to their great elation,
Hides floating in the river, causing much jubilation.

“To reach those hides, the river we must drain!”
Thinking their efforts would not be in vain.
So, they drank and they drank, with determination in sight,
Hoping to reach the hides by the end of the night.

But as they gulped down the water so clear,
Their bellies grew large and they started to fear.
For the hides seemed as distant as they were at the start,
And the pain in their bellies began to smart.

They paused and they panted, their faces turned blue,
The hides remained far, and their plan went askew.
Their bellies were round, like balloons in the sky,
Yet the river flowed on, never once running dry.

The dogs gave a sigh, realizing the jest,
In their quest for the hides, they had done their very best.
But sometimes it's wiser, to think and to wait,
Before diving into actions that might seal one's fate.

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the dogs decided to drink the river to reach the hides?
  2. How did the dogs' decision to keep drinking, even when they were full, affect them in the end?
  3. Can you think of a time when you wanted something so much that you didn't realize you were overdoing it, like the dogs?
  4. What lesson does this story teach us about moderation and knowing our limits?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story in our lives to avoid making similar mistakes?

Fable Quotes

Desire, when fed by greed, becomes a poison rather than a nourishment.
In moderation, we find the balance that keeps our desires healthy.
Wisdom is the bark that warns us of the dangers of unchecked desire.
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