Aesop
|
Greece

The Fox and The Leopard

A fox outruns a leopard in a race by using his intelligence, proving beauty and strength aren't everything.
Pride
Strength
Problem-Solving
Aesop's Fables - The Fox and The Leopard
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, a fox and a leopard came across each other in a forest. They began boasting about their looks, agility, and hunting skills.

The leopard, being proud of his spots, challenged the fox to show his good looks. The fox, not having any spots, showed off his sleek fur instead. They then began arguing about who was more agile and a better hunter.

To settle the argument, they agreed to compete in a race. The forest was divided into three parts, and whoever crossed all three parts first would be declared the winner.

The race began, and the leopard, being faster and stronger, quickly outran the fox. However, when the leopard reached the end of the first part of the forest, he saw the fox calmly waiting for him.

Puzzled, the leopard asked the fox how he managed to catch up so quickly. The fox replied that he used his wit and cunning to find a shortcut that saved him time.

The leopard, impressed by the fox's intelligence, asked him to show the shortcut. But the fox refused, saying that the shortcut was his secret and that he would only use it when needed.

Thus, the leopard learned that beauty and strength were not the only qualities that made one great. The fox's intelligence and cunning were just as valuable.

There is a fox and a leopard. They live in a forest. One day, the fox and the leopard meet and talk. The leopard says, "I have spots. My spots are nice. I can run fast and catch food."

The fox says, "I have shiny fur. I can run fast too."

They argue about who is faster. They want to have a race. The race has three parts. The first to finish all three parts wins.

The race starts. The leopard is fast and strong. He runs quickly and leads. But at the end of the first part, the fox is already there.

The leopard is surprised. He asks the fox, "How are you here first?"

The fox says, "I found a shortcut. I use my brain."

The leopard is impressed. He learns that being strong and good-looking is not everything. Being clever is important too.

Once upon a time, in a green forest, a fox and a leopard met. They started to talk about their looks and how well they could move and catch food.

The leopard, proud of his spots, asked the fox to show his looks. The fox, who had no spots, showed his shiny fur. Soon, they argued about who was faster and a better hunter.

To settle this, they decided to have a race. The forest was divided into three parts, and the first to pass all parts would win.

When the race began, the leopard, who was naturally faster and stronger, took the lead quickly. But when he finished the first part, he was surprised to see the fox waiting for him.

Confused, the leopard asked the fox how he got ahead so fast. The fox said he used his cleverness to find a shortcut that saved him time.

The leopard was impressed by the fox’s smart thinking and wanted to know more about the shortcut. But the fox wouldn't tell, saying he would keep it for when he really needed it.

From this, the leopard learned that being strong and good-looking were not the only important qualities. The fox’s cleverness and quick thinking were just as important.

Once upon a time, in a forest so vast and thick that even GPS would say, "You're on your own, mate!", a fox and a leopard bumped into each other. They didn't just say, "Oops, sorry," and move on. No, they got into a grand debate about who was the snazziest dresser in the forest!

The leopard, with spots as if he had been playing paintball with a rainbow, looked at the fox and said, "Hey Foxy, look at these spots! What do you have that can beat these?"

The fox, looking as sleek as if he'd been to the fur salon that morning, replied, "Spots are so last season, my friend. It's all about the smooth and shiny these days!"

And off they went, arguing like a couple of old pals about agility, hunting, and who had the best tailor in the animal kingdom.

Finally, they decided to settle the debate like true gentlemen: by racing through the forest, divided into three parts, as if it was nature's own racetrack.

On the count of three, the race began, and the leopard sprinted off like a sports car, leaving the fox in the dust. But when the leopard reached the end of the first part, he found the fox calmly waiting, sipping a cup of tea.

"Good gracious!" said the leopard. "How did you get here so fast?"

The fox, with a wink, said, "Well, my dear friend, I might not have the spots, but I've got the smarts! I found a shortcut!"

"A shortcut?" the leopard exclaimed. "Do show me!"

The fox, leaning back and pretending to think really hard, finally said, "I'm afraid not. A fox has to have some secrets, you know. But let's say it involves no waiting in traffic!"

And thus, the leopard learned that beauty and strength were fine and dandy, but intelligence and cunning were the real cat's pajamas! He even gave the fox a high paw and said, "Foxy, you've truly outfoxed me!"

In a land where trees sway and rivers flow,
Two creatures met with a friendly hello.
A fox and a leopard, oh what a pair,
Both bragging and boasting without a care!

"I'm handsome and agile," said the leopard with glee,
His spotted coat shining for all to see.
"I've no spots," said the fox, "but my fur's a delight,
And my hunting and thinking are equally bright!"

They argued and fussed, neither willing to yield,
So a race in the forest became the agreed field.
Three parts to the challenge, a winner to find,
A test of their skill, agility, and mind.

Off went the leopard, swift as a breeze,
His muscular legs running with ease.
But when part one was done, to his great surprise,
The fox was there, calm and wise.

"How did you catch up?" asked the leopard, confused,
"The race has just started, and I'm not amused."
"With wit and cunning," the fox slyly grinned,
"I found a shortcut, isn't that a win?"

The leopard was awed, his pride took a hit,
For the fox's cleverness was quite a fit.
He begged for the secret, but the fox simply smiled,
"My shortcut's my own, but aren't you beguiled?"

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Word Finder

  1. Leopard

    Big cat with spots, lives in the forest.

  2. Spots

    Small round marks on animals, like dots.

  3. Shiny

    Reflects light, bright and glossy.

  4. Argue

    Talk with someone and not agree.

  5. Race

    Contest to see who is the fastest.

  6. Shortcut

    A quicker way to get somewhere.

  7. Surprised

    Feeling when something unexpected happens.

  8. Impressed

    Feeling of admiration for something good.

  9. Clever

    Good at thinking and solving problems.

  10. Important

    Something that has a big value or meaning.

  1. Leopard

    Big, wild cat with spots on fur.

  2. Argued

    Talked angrily, with different opinions.

  3. Settle

    Decide or solve a problem.

  4. Divided

    Separated into different parts.

  5. Naturally

    In a normal or usual way.

  6. Shortcut

    A quicker, easier way to go somewhere.

  7. Cleverness

    Being smart and quick in thinking.

  8. Surprised

    Feeling unexpected amazement or shock.

  9. Impressed

    Feeling admiration for someone's skills or qualities.

  10. Qualities

    Characteristics or features of someone or something.

Understanding Questions

  1. Where do the fox and the leopard live?

    1. In a city
    2. In a house
    3. In a forest
    4. In a desert
  2. What does the leopard say about his spots?

    1. They are shiny.
    2. They are ugly.
    3. They are nice.
    4. They are big.
  3. Why do the fox and the leopard want to have a race?

    1. To find food
    2. To see who is faster
    3. To make friends
    4. To find water
  4. How does the fox get to the end of the first part first?

    1. He runs very fast.
    2. He flies.
    3. He finds a shortcut.
    4. He swims.
  5. What does the leopard learn at the end of the race?

    1. Being strong is the most important.
    2. Being clever is important too.
    3. Running fast is not good.
    4. Spots are better than fur.
  1. What did the fox and the leopard discuss when they met in the forest?
  2. How did the fox and the leopard decide to settle their argument about who was faster?
  3. What was the leopard's reaction when he saw the fox ahead of him after the first part of the race?
  4. How did the fox manage to get ahead of the leopard during the race?
  5. What did the leopard learn from his experience with the fox?
  1. What were the main traits that the fox and the leopard were bragging about when they met in the forest?
  2. How did the leopard initially gain an advantage in the race against the fox?
  3. Why was the leopard surprised to see the fox waiting for him at the end of the first section of the race?
  4. What reason did the fox give for not sharing his shortcut with the leopard?
  5. What lesson did the leopard learn by the end of the fable about qualities that make someone exceptional?

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the fox and the leopard started arguing about their looks and skills?
  2. The leopard was faster and stronger, but the fox still managed to get ahead in the race. How did he do it?
  3. How do you think the leopard felt when he realized the fox used his wit to win the race?
  4. Can you think of a situation where you or someone else used clever thinking to solve a problem?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story in our own lives, especially when we face challenges that seem too big or difficult for us?

Fable Quotes

Pride may shine brightly, but it often blinds one to the lights of wisdom and cunning.
True strength lies not in muscle but in the power of the mind.
In the face of challenges, true greatness is achieved through clever problem-solving.
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