Aesop
|
Greece

The Hart and The Vine

A majestic hart evades hunters by hiding under a plant, but is eventually discovered and harmed due to eating its leaves.
Respect
Consequences
Gratitude
Featured in Fable Book
Aesop's Fables - The Hart and The Vine
Audio available for B1 version

Once in a forest, a majestic hart lived. One sunny day, a group of hunters entered the forest, determined to capture him. Startled by the hunters' presence, the hart swiftly fled, desperate to find a hiding place.

During his frantic search, he discovered a large plant with thick leaves. It offered complete cover, effectively hiding the hart from the hunters. Feeling safe beneath the plant, the hart held his breath as the hunters strolled past.

The hunters searched but failed to find the hart. They eventually conceded defeat and left. Under the plant, the hart felt a wave of relief and security.

Feeling both secure and hungry after the fright, the hart started to nibble on the leaves of the plant that had provided him shelter. They were delicious and juicy. However, as he fed, the branches rustled, making noise.

The noise piqued the hunters' interest. They turned back, noticing the shaking plant. Intrigued, they aimed their arrows towards the rustling sound.

Unfortunately, the arrows hit their target, and the hart was struck. As the hart lay on the forest floor, he understood his mistake. He regretted eating the leaves of the plant that had kept him safe. He knew he had brought this calamity upon himself because he had harmed the one who had helped him.

In a forest, a beautiful deer lived. One day, some hunters came into the forest, wanting to catch the deer. The deer got scared and ran quickly to find a place to hide.

While running, the deer saw a large vine with many leaves. It was a perfect place to hide, so the deer hid under the vine. The hunters walked by but didn’t see the deer hiding there.

After a while, the hunters gave up and left the forest. The deer felt safe and relaxed under the vine. But soon, the deer got hungry. He started eating the leaves of the vine that had hidden him. The leaves tasted good, so he kept eating more.

But as the deer ate, the vine made noise. The hunters heard the noise and turned back. They saw the vine moving and aimed their arrows at it.

Sadly, the arrows hit the deer. As he lay on the ground, the deer realized his mistake. He was sorry for eating the vine that had saved him. He knew it was his own actions that brought this trouble.

In a forest, a beautiful deer lived. One day, some hunters came into the forest, wanting to catch the deer. The deer got scared and ran quickly to find a place to hide.

While running, the deer saw a large vine with many leaves. It was a perfect place to hide, so the deer hid under the vine. The hunters walked by but didn’t see the deer hiding there.

After a while, the hunters gave up and left the forest. The deer felt safe and relaxed under the vine. But soon, the deer got hungry. He started eating the leaves of the vine that had hidden him. The leaves tasted good, so he kept eating more.

But as the deer ate, the vine made noise. The hunters heard the noise and turned back. They saw the vine moving and aimed their arrows at it.

Sadly, the arrows hit the deer. As he lay on the ground, the deer realized his mistake. He was sorry for eating the vine that had saved him. He knew it was his own actions that brought this trouble.

Once upon a time, in a forest that was like the "Beverly Hills of Forests", there lived a really cool hart. This guy thought he was the superstar of the woods.

One sunny day, the sky was as blue as a blueberry slushie, and here comes a group of hunters. These weren't your ordinary hunters; these guys were loud and clumsy, like they were at a birthday party instead of a hunt. "Hey, where did he go?!" one of them said, really confused, "I swear I just saw him dancing behind that tree!"

Our hart, who had a flair for the dramatic, thought, "Uh-oh, gotta get away from these noisy folks! They're really cramping my style." So, he ran really fast, almost like he had rocket shoes, and looked for a place to hide. That's when he found the ultimate plant—huge, thick leaves that made the perfect hiding spot. Almost like the best fort ever!

Once he jumped into his leafy hideaway, he could hear the hunters talking and laughing, totally clueless about where he was. "Maybe they'll get bored and play video games instead," he thought.

After what felt like the longest game of hide-and-seek ever, the hunters finally gave up. They turned around to leave, and our hart felt like a champion. Then he thought, "Wow, I’m kinda hungry. These leaves did save me, maybe they're tasty too!” So he started to eat them.

Crunch! Munch! The noise was loud, like someone eating chips in a library. The hunters’ ears perked up as if they'd just heard someone say "free candy." "Did you hear that?!" one hunter asked. "Sounds like someone’s eating something crunchy!”

Curious, they turned back towards the noise. The hart realized he messed up and thought, “Oops, my bad! Didn’t mean to give us away, leaves!” But it was too late. The hunters aimed, let their arrows fly, and—boom—the hart was caught.

As he lay there, he couldn’t help but think, “Oh man, of all the silly things I’ve ever done, eating my hiding spot is the silliest! Why did I snack on the one thing that was keeping me safe?” And there he was, understanding sometimes it’s not a good idea to munch on the thing that’s got your back.

Deep in the woods, where big trees start,
Lived a graceful and kind-hearted hart.
One day, hunters with intentions so sly,
Came to the woods, making the hart fly.

He looked left and right, high and low,
For a place to hide, a safe spot to go.
Then, a big plant with leaves so wide,
Became the hart's perfect place to hide.

Hidden and still, not making a sound,
The hart watched as hunters looked around.
They searched and they searched, but couldn’t see,
The smart hart hiding, so they let him be.

With hunters gone, the hart was so glad,
But his tummy rumbled, a bit hungry he felt, just a tad.
The leaves overhead seemed a tasty delight,
He nibbled them slowly, enjoying each bite.

But the plant shook and rustled out loud,
Drawing the hunters back, a curious crowd.
They saw the plant shake and aimed without a doubt,
Their arrows flew true, with the hart now found out.

As the hart lay there, thinking of his deed,
He wished he’d been wiser, and taken heed.
For sometimes the things that keep us secure,
Are best left untouched, pure and demure.

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Word Finder

  1. Hunters

    People who catch or kill animals for food.

  2. Quickly

    Moving fast without any delay or waiting.

  3. Perfect

    Exactly right for what is needed or wanted.

  4. Hiding

    Staying in a place where you can’t be seen.

  5. Relaxed

    Feeling calm, comfortable, and not worried at all.

  6. Realized

    Understood or became aware of something suddenly.

  7. Actions

    Things someone does, especially for a reason.

  8. Trouble

    A situation causing problems or difficulties.

  9. Vine

    A plant with long stems that grows upward or sideways.

  10. Arrows

    Sharp, pointed weapons shot from a bow.

Understanding Questions

  1. Why did the deer hide under the vine?
  2. How did the hunters react when they couldn't find the deer at first?
  3. What mistake did the deer make after the hunters left the forest?
  4. How did the hunters discover where the deer was hiding in the end?
  5. What did the deer realize after the hunters caught him?
Word Finder
  1. Hunters

    People who catch or kill animals for food.

  2. Quickly

    Moving fast without any delay or waiting.

  3. Perfect

    Exactly right for what is needed or wanted.

  4. Hiding

    Staying in a place where you can’t be seen.

  5. Relaxed

    Feeling calm, comfortable, and not worried at all.

  6. Realized

    Understood or became aware of something suddenly.

  7. Actions

    Things someone does, especially for a reason.

  8. Trouble

    A situation causing problems or difficulties.

  9. Vine

    A plant with long stems that grows upward or sideways.

  10. Arrows

    Sharp, pointed weapons shot from a bow.

Understanding Questions

    Why did the deer hide under the vine?

    1. To avoid being seen by hunters.
    2. Because it was cold.
    3. It was hungry.
    4. To find a friend.

    How did the hunters react when they couldn't find the deer at first?

    1. They gave up.
    2. They searched harder.
    3. They sat down to rest.
    4. They started arguing.

    What mistake did the deer make after the hunters left the forest?

    1. It made noise.
    2. It ran out in the open.
    3. It fell asleep.
    4. It ate too much.

    How did the hunters discover where the deer was hiding in the end?

    1. They followed its tracks.
    2. They heard it breathing.
    3. They saw its shadow.
    4. They used dogs.

    What did the deer realize after the hunters caught him?

    1. That it should have stayed hidden.
    2. That hunters were not dangerous.
    3. That it was smarter than the hunters.
    4. That it could run faster.
  1. Why did the deer hide under the vine?
  2. How did the hunters react when they couldn't find the deer at first?
  3. What mistake did the deer make after the hunters left the forest?
  4. How did the hunters discover where the deer was hiding in the end?
  5. What did the deer realize after the hunters caught him?
  1. Why did the deer hide under the vine?
  2. How did the hunters react when they couldn't find the deer at first?
  3. What mistake did the deer make after the hunters left the forest?
  4. How did the hunters discover where the deer was hiding in the end?
  5. What did the deer realize after the hunters caught him?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the hart decided to eat the leaves of the plant that was hiding him?
  2. How do you think the hart felt when the hunters found him because he had eaten the leaves?
  3. Can you think of a time when you or someone else didn't respect something or someone that was helping you, and it led to a negative outcome?
  4. What does this story teach us about gratitude, respect, and the consequences of our actions?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story in our own lives to appreciate and respect those who help us?
Fable Quotes
The sanctuary that shields you deserves your respect, not harm.
The aftermath of ungratefulness is often a lost sanctuary.
In times of comfort, remember the vine that offered you refuge.
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