Aesop
|
Greece

The Fox and The Bramble

A cunning Fox fell into a Bramble, blaming it for his pain, but realized it was his own fault for not being careful.
Understanding
Responsibility
Wisdom
Featured in Fable Book
Aesop's Fables - The Fox and The Bramble
Audio available for B1 version

In a time long ago, in a wide and open meadow, there lived a Fox. This Fox was known for his quick steps and cunning tricks. One sunny day, as the Fox was frolicking about, he fell into a Bramble. His body was pierced by the sharp thorns, and he yelped in pain.

"Ouch!" cried the Fox, feeling the sting of the thorns on his skin. Upset and hurting, the Fox began to grumble and mutter harsh words at the Bramble.

"Why are you so sharp and prickly?" he asked, a frown on his face. "You have done me harm."

The Bramble, hearing the Fox's complaints, responded calmly. "Dear Fox, it was not my intent to hurt you. I have always been this way, with my prickles out for everyone to see. You were the one who jumped without looking, landing in my thicket. You should have been more careful."

The Fox looked at the Bramble and understood. It wasn't the Bramble's fault for being prickly. It was his own fault for not watching where he was going. With a sigh, he pulled himself free from the thorns and went on his way, wiser and a bit more careful.

A long time ago, in a big, open field, there lived a Fox. This Fox was known for being quick and smart. One sunny day, while the Fox was playing, he fell into a bush with sharp thorns. The thorns hurt him, and he cried out in pain.

"Ouch!" shouted the Fox, feeling the pain of the thorns. He was very upset and started to complain to the bush.

"Why are you so sharp and hurtful?" he asked with a frown. "You have hurt me."

The bush, hearing the Fox's complaints, answered calmly. "Dear Fox, I didn't mean to hurt you. I have always had sharp thorns. You jumped without looking and landed in my thorns. You should have been more careful."

The Fox looked at the bush and understood. It wasn't the bush's fault for having thorns. It was his own fault for not being careful. With a sigh, he pulled himself out of the thorns and went on his way, wiser and more careful.

A long time ago, in a big, open field, there lived a Fox. This Fox was known for being quick and smart. One sunny day, while the Fox was playing, he fell into a bush with sharp thorns. The thorns hurt him, and he cried out in pain.

"Ouch!" shouted the Fox, feeling the pain of the thorns. He was very upset and started to complain to the bush.

"Why are you so sharp and hurtful?" he asked with a frown. "You have hurt me."

The bush, hearing the Fox's complaints, answered calmly. "Dear Fox, I didn't mean to hurt you. I have always had sharp thorns. You jumped without looking and landed in my thorns. You should have been more careful."

The Fox looked at the bush and understood. It wasn't the bush's fault for having thorns. It was his own fault for not being careful. With a sigh, he pulled himself out of the thorns and went on his way, wiser and more careful.

In a meadow that was like the ultimate playground—think slides, swings, and all-you-can-eat berries—a Fox lived. This Fox thought he was the king of hopscotch. But oh boy, today was a total face-plant kind of day. He was hopping and skipping, maybe pretending the ground was lava, and WHAMMO! Fell right into a Bramble. Ouch, double ouch, and mega ouch!

"YEOOOWWWW!" yelped Fox, as if he just stepped on a Lego. "Hey Bramble, what’s the big idea? Is this your idea of a hug? 'Cause it hurts!"

The Bramble chuckled, like it had just heard the funniest knock-knock joke. "Hey buddy, did you read the sign? It says ‘I’m a Bramble. I’m prickly. Enter at your own risk!’ You kinda jumped the queue there!"

Fox thought about it. "Oh, so you're not a pillow, you're more like...a cactus with an attitude!"

"Exactly!" said Bramble, chuckling some more. "I’m not a teddy bear, I’m like a teddy bear filled with thumbtacks! I’ve got a point—or a few hundred!"

Fox tilted his head, looking puzzled. "So what you're saying is, it’s like jumping into a pool without water and then being mad it's empty?"

"Spot on!" Bramble said. "I'm like a pinata that fights back!"

Fox laughed, pulling out the last thorn from his tail. "Alright, lesson learned! You're a no-jumping zone. Thanks for the pointy advice!"

And off he scampered, his tail behind him like a flag of surrender. Maybe he wasn't the king of hopscotch, but hey, at least he was now the duke of looking before leaping.

Once there was a Fox, lively and bold,
In a meadow vast, tales of him were told.
Dancing and prancing on a bright sunny day,
Into a Bramble bush, he made his way.

"Ouch!" he exclaimed, with thorns all around,
His fur was tangled, his pain did resound.
"Why are you prickly? Why cause me this harm?"
He grumbled and groaned, sounding the alarm.

Bramble replied, with wisdom so true,
"I've always had thorns, this you already knew.
It wasn't my wish to give you a scare,
You jumped without caution, you must be aware."

Fox nodded slowly, realizing the tale,
It wasn't the bush, but his own hasty trail.
With a gentle tug and a lesson so clear,
He moved forward, holding caution near.

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Word Finder

  1. Field:

    A large, open area of land.

  2. Quick:

    Able to move fast and easily.

  3. Thorns:

    Sharp, pointy parts of a plant.

  4. Pain:

    A feeling that something hurts a lot.

  5. Upset:

    Feeling sad or angry about something.

  6. Complain:

    To say that you are unhappy or uncomfortable.

  7. Hurtful:

    Causing pain or injury to someone.

  8. Frown:

    To make an unhappy face.

  9. Calmly:

    In a quiet and peaceful way.

  10. Careful:

    Paying attention to avoid danger or mistakes.

Understanding Questions

  1. Where did the Fox live?
  2. What happened to the Fox one sunny day while he was playing?
  3. How did the Fox feel when he fell into the bush with sharp thorns?
  4. What did the Fox ask the bush after he was hurt?
  5. What did the Fox realize after hearing the bush's response?
Word Finder
  1. Field:

    A large, open area of land.

  2. Quick:

    Able to move fast and easily.

  3. Thorns:

    Sharp, pointy parts of a plant.

  4. Pain:

    A feeling that something hurts a lot.

  5. Upset:

    Feeling sad or angry about something.

  6. Complain:

    To say that you are unhappy or uncomfortable.

  7. Hurtful:

    Causing pain or injury to someone.

  8. Frown:

    To make an unhappy face.

  9. Calmly:

    In a quiet and peaceful way.

  10. Careful:

    Paying attention to avoid danger or mistakes.

Understanding Questions
  1. Where did the Fox live?

    1. In a tree
    2. In a bush
    3. In a hole
    4. In a cave
  2. What happened to the Fox one sunny day while he was playing?

    1. He found a friend
    2. He fell into a bush
    3. He got lost
    4. He climbed a tree
  3. How did the Fox feel when he fell into the bush with sharp thorns?

    1. Happy
    2. Sad
    3. Hurt
    4. Confused
  4. What did the Fox ask the bush after he was hurt?

    1. Why did I fall?
    2. Can you help me?
    3. What is your name?
    4. Are you okay?
  5. What did the Fox realize after hearing the bush's response?

    1. He was not alone
    2. He needed to be careful
    3. He should play more
    4. He was brave
  1. Where did the Fox live?
  2. What happened to the Fox one sunny day while he was playing?
  3. How did the Fox feel when he fell into the bush with sharp thorns?
  4. What did the Fox ask the bush after he was hurt?
  5. What did the Fox realize after hearing the bush's response?
  1. Where did the Fox live?
  2. What happened to the Fox one sunny day while he was playing?
  3. How did the Fox feel when he fell into the bush with sharp thorns?
  4. What did the Fox ask the bush after he was hurt?
  5. What did the Fox realize after hearing the bush's response?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the Fox was quick to blame the Bramble for his pain?
  2. How did the Bramble respond to the Fox's complaints, and what can we learn from its response?
  3. Can you recall a time when you made a mistake because you didn't pay attention or were in a rush?
  4. What does this story teach us about taking responsibility for our own actions?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story in our lives to be more careful and thoughtful in our actions?
Fable Quotes
Before blaming others, understand their nature and your actions first.
Own your actions, for blaming others only adds thorns to the path of responsibility.
True wisdom is found in accepting responsibility for our actions and learning from our own mistakes.
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