Aesop
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Greece

The Fox with the Swollen Belly

A hungry fox ate a large meal in a tree but got stuck and had to wait until its belly shrank to escape.
Greed
Moderation
Consequences
Aesop's Fables - The Fox with the Swollen Belly
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, in a dense, lush forest, a very hungry fox found some bread and meat in the hollow of an old oak tree. The food was left by shepherds. With a growling stomach, the fox crept into the hole and ate until he was full. The meal was so big and hearty that his belly puffed up like a balloon.

Just then, when he tried to come out of the hole, he realized he was stuck. No matter how hard he pushed or pulled, he just couldn't get out. He was stuck! He began to moan and groan, upset about his unfortunate situation.

While the fox was groaning in despair, another fox was passing by. He asked what was wrong. The stuck fox explained he had eaten too much and now he couldn't get out of the tree.

The second fox chuckled and said, "Well, my friend, it seems you'll have to stay in there until your belly shrinks down to the size it was when you first crawled in. Only then will you be able to get out."

So, the stuck fox had no choice but to wait until he was thin enough to escape, learning a lesson about the consequences of overindulging.

In a forest as dense as a sponge cake and as lush as a great big salad, there was a very hungry fox. He found some bread and meat in the hollow of an ancient oak tree, left behind by some rather forgetful shepherds. His stomach was growling louder than a bear singing opera, and he thought, "I've hit the jackpot, I have!"

With his tongue practically hanging out, he snuck into the hole, munching away and thinking, "This must be what it feels like to be a king!" He ate until he was as full as a bathtub, his belly puffing up like a parade float.

Just then, he tried to waddle back out of the hole, and... he was stuck! He pushed, he pulled, he did a little dance, but he was more stuck than a stamp on a postcard.

"Oh, bother!" he moaned. "I'm like a cork in a bottle!"

Just then, another fox happened to prance by, whistling a merry tune. Hearing the groans, he asked, "Why the long face, friend? Did you sit on a thistle?"

The stuck fox sighed, "I've eaten a feast fit for a king, and now I'm stuck in here like a jammed jar of pickles!"

The second fox chuckled, a twinkle in his eye. "Well, it looks like you're in quite a pickle indeed! I'd say you'll have to wait in there until your belly shrinks down to the size it was when you first crawled in. You know, like letting the air out of a balloon. Only then will you be able to get out."

He then added, with a wink, "Next time, maybe share a little with a friend, eh?"

The stuck fox's ears drooped. "Oh, I suppose you're right. Being greedy just leaves you stuck in the end, doesn't it?"

And so, he waited, a little wiser and a lot less greedy, until he was thin enough to escape, learning a tasty lesson about the consequences of overindulging.

Amidst the trees where shadows played,
A hungry fox a discovery made.
Within an old oak's hollow nook,
He found some meat and bread to cook.

He snuck inside, his hunger to appease,
Ate up the meal with utmost ease.
His belly swelled, round and tight,
From the feast he'd had that night.

But oh, what a twist! When he tried to depart,
His big full belly wouldn't let him start.
He tugged and pushed, but remained confined,
His escape from the tree, he couldn't find.

His groans of distress echoed loud and clear,
'Til another fox happened to be near.
"What's got you trapped?" the second one inquired,
The stuck fox shared, his voice tired.

The passing fox, with a smirk so wry,
Offered his take on the reason why.
"You'll wait," he said, "and it might take a spin,
Until you're as slim as when you went in."

In the oak's embrace, the fox did bide,
Hoping soon, outside he'd glide.
He vowed next time, he'd surely think,
Before taking that extra drink and link.

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the fox couldn't get out of the hole after eating so much food?
  2. How do you think the fox felt when he realized he was stuck?
  3. Can you think of a time when you or someone else wanted too much of something and it ended up causing a problem?
  4. What does this story teach us about moderation and the consequences of overindulging?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story in our lives, perhaps by not taking more than we need or by understanding the importance of balance?

Fable Quotes

Greed is a bottomless pit.
Moderation is key to balance.
Actions have weight, choose wisely or bear the heft.
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