Aesop
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Greece

The Gnat and The Bull

A gnat lands on a bull's horn, but its departure goes unnoticed, realizing its presence didn't matter much to the bull.
Humility
Perception
Contentment
Aesop's Fables - The Gnat and The Bull
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, a tiny gnat landed softly on the horn of a huge bull. The gnat enjoyed the grand view from atop the horn for a while. As it prepared to depart, it hummed a buzzing tune. Turning to the bull, it asked, "Should I take my leave?"

The bull, lazily munching on sweet grass, looked up. His voice echoed in the open field, "I didn't even realize you had arrived. Your departure won't change much."

Surprised, the gnat blinked and then spread its wings, buzzing away. As it flew, it realized that sometimes, even the smallest of creatures might think they have a significant impact on the world, but they might not matter as much as they believe. Meanwhile, the Bull continued grazing, appreciating the peace and the beauty of the meadow.

Once upon a time, a very small gnat landed on the horn of a very big bull. The gnat enjoyed the nice view from the top of the horn for a while. When it was time to go, it made a small humming sound. It then asked the bull, "Can I go now?"

The bull, who was busy eating some tasty grass, looked up and said in a deep voice that filled the field, "I didn't even notice you were here. You leaving won't make any difference."

The gnat was surprised by this and then flew away, making a buzzing sound. As it flew, it thought about how sometimes, even the smallest creatures might think they are very important to the world, but they might not be as important as they think. The bull kept eating grass, enjoying the quiet and the beauty of the field.

A small gnat lands on a big bull. The gnat likes the view from the bull's horn. It sits there for a while.

Then, the gnat makes a buzzing sound and asks the bull, "Can I go now?"

The bull is busy eating grass. He looks up and says, "I do not know you are here. You can go."

The gnat feels surprised and flies away. It thinks, "Small gnats like me think we are important, but we are not."

The bull keeps eating grass. He feels happy in the quiet and beautiful field.

Once upon a time, a very small gnat landed on the horn of a very big bull. The gnat enjoyed the nice view from the top of the horn for a while. When it was time to go, it made a small humming sound. It then asked the bull, "Can I go now?"

The bull, who was busy eating some tasty grass, looked up and said in a deep voice that filled the field, "I didn't even notice you were here. You leaving won't make any difference."

The gnat was surprised by this and then flew away, making a buzzing sound. As it flew, it thought about how sometimes, even the smallest creatures might think they are very important to the world, but they might not be as important as they think. The bull kept eating grass, enjoying the quiet and the beauty of the field.

Once upon a time, a tiny gnat landed on the horn of a big, chubby bull, and began to dance like it was on the disco floor. "Woo-hoo! Best seat in the house!" it shouted, enjoying the view.

"Hey, Mr. Bull," it buzzed, doing a little moonwalk on the horn. "I'm thinking of flying off now. Will you miss me?"

The bull, busy munching on some super tasty grass and looking a bit like he'd just told himself a funny joke, looked up and said, "Miss you? I didn't even notice you were there! Were you dancing or just doing the itchy twitchy?"

The gnat's wings dropped a little. "I thought I was a dancing superstar!"

The bull laughed, "Oh, you were dancing alright. Just the kind of dancing only a gnat could love!"

The gnat gave a tiny huff and then buzzed off, but not before calling back, "Well, you just wait. I'll be on 'Gnat's Got Talent' soon!"

As it flew away, the gnat realized that being a superstar might take more than just fancy footwork on a bull's horn. Meanwhile, the bull chuckled and went back to his grass, thinking, "Gnats these days, always wanting to be the next big thing. Now, where's my pudding grass?"

In the middle of a sunny field,
There was a bull, his calm revealed.
A little gnat, so light and small,
Landed on the bull's horn tall.

"Mr. Bull," the gnat did say,
"Is it okay if I stay?
But if it's time, I'll buzz away,
Just let me know without delay."

The bull looked up, a gentle smile wide,
"You're so small, you could just hide.
I didn't even feel when you came by,
Your impact’s like a cloud in the sky."

The gnat paused, its wings aflutter,
Understanding what those words did utter.
Even tiny beings may think they're grand,
But the world's much bigger, it must understand.

The gnat buzzed high, then flew away,
While the bull just munched his hay.
In the field, so big and wide,
The bull and gnat had their lesson beside.

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Word Finder

  1. Gnat

    A very small, flying insect.

  2. Horn

    Hard, pointed part on some animals' heads.

  3. View

    What you can see from a place.

  4. Humming

    Soft, continuous sound like a buzz.

  5. Tasty

    Very good flavor or delicious.

  6. Difference

    A change or effect on something.

  7. Surprised

    Feeling sudden shock or wonder.

  8. Buzzing

    Making a continuous, low sound.

  9. Important

    Having great value or significance.

  10. Enjoying

    Feeling pleasure or happiness about something.

Understanding Questions

  1. Where did the gnat land at the beginning of the story?
  2. What did the gnat enjoy while it was on the horn of the bull?
  3. How did the bull react when the gnat asked if it could leave?
  4. What did the gnat realize about its importance after the bull's response?
  5. What did the bull continue doing after the gnat flew away?

Word Finder

  1. Gnat

    Very small flying insect.

  2. Lands

    Comes down to rest.

  3. View

    What you see from a place.

  4. Horn

    A hard point on a bull's head.

  5. Buzzing

    Making a continuous sound.

  6. Surprised

    Feeling when something unexpected happens.

  7. Flies

    Moves through the air.

  8. Important

    Something that matters a lot.

  9. Quiet

    No noise or sound.

  10. Beautiful

    Very nice to see.

  1. Gnat

    A very small, flying insect.

  2. Horn

    Hard, pointed part on some animals' heads.

  3. View

    What you can see from a place.

  4. Humming

    Soft, continuous sound like a buzz.

  5. Tasty

    Very good flavor or delicious.

  6. Difference

    A change or effect on something.

  7. Surprised

    Feeling sudden shock or wonder.

  8. Buzzing

    Making a continuous, low sound.

  9. Important

    Having great value or significance.

  10. Enjoying

    Feeling pleasure or happiness about something.

Understanding Questions

  1. Where does the gnat land?

    1. On a tree
    2. On a flower
    3. On a bull
    4. On the ground
  2. What does the gnat like?

    1. The view from the horn
    2. The fruits from the tree
    3. The grass on the field
    4. The tail of the bull
  3. What does the gnat ask the bull?

    1. "Can I eat grass?"
    2. "Can I sit here?"
    3. "Can I go now?"
    4. "Can I fly?"
  4. What is the bull doing?

    1. Sleeping
    2. Eating grass
    3. Running
    4. Drinking water
  5. How does the bull feel in the field?

    1. Angry
    2. Sad
    3. Happy
    4. Tired
  1. Where did the gnat land at the beginning of the story?
  2. What did the gnat enjoy while it was on the horn of the bull?
  3. How did the bull react when the gnat asked if it could leave?
  4. What did the gnat realize about its importance after the bull's response?
  5. What did the bull continue doing after the gnat flew away?
  1. What was the gnat's initial reaction upon landing on the bull's horn, and how did it spend its time there?
  2. How did the bull respond to the gnat when it asked for permission to leave?
  3. What realization did the gnat come to as it flew away from the bull?
  4. Describe the setting of the meadow as seen from the gnat's perspective.
  5. How does the bull show its attitude toward the gnat in the story?

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the gnat felt the need to announce its departure to the bull?
  2. How do you think the bull felt when the gnat told him he was about to leave?
  3. Can you think of a time when you or someone else thought they were more important to a situation than they really were?
  4. What does this story teach us about self-importance and recognizing our role in the bigger picture?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story in our own lives to better understand and acknowledge our impact on others?

Fable Quotes

In humility, we understand our place in the world.
Our impact is often not as large as we perceive it to be.
Find joy in your own existence, not in the acknowledgment of others.
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