Aesop
|
Greece

The Heifer and the Ox

In a farm, a Heifer mocks an Ox's hard work but later realizes her idleness leads to sacrifice, while the Ox rests.
Consequences
Caution
Wisdom
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Aesop's Fables - The Heifer and the Ox
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, in a quiet farm, there lived a young Heifer and an old Ox. One sunny morning, the Heifer noticed the Ox, harnessed to a heavy plow, working hard in the field. She chuckled, watching the Ox's labor, and made remarks about his tough life. She felt quite pleased with her own life, full of leisure and freedom. The Ox simply looked at her and returned to his work, not uttering a word.

Several weeks passed, and the harvest time came. The farm was full of joy and excitement. The farmer unhooked the Ox from the plow, giving him a day of rest. The Ox watched as the farmer then turned to the Heifer. With a strong cord, the farmer tied the Heifer and led her away from the field.

The Heifer looked at the Ox with fear in her eyes, not understanding why she was being taken away while the Ox was allowed to rest. The Ox, watching the scene, turned to the Heifer and said, "This is why you lived in comfort while I toiled away in the fields."

The Heifer was led away to the altar, realizing too late that her idleness had a price. Meanwhile, the Ox continued his rest, his work done for the day.

Once upon a time, on a quiet farm, there was a young cow and an old ox. One morning, the cow saw the ox working hard in the field, pulling a heavy plow. She laughed at him and said how hard his life seemed, while she enjoyed her time doing nothing. The ox just looked at her and kept working, saying nothing.

A few weeks later, harvest season arrived. The farm was busy and full of excitement. The farmer unharnessed the ox and let him rest. The ox watched as the farmer tied up the cow and led her away from the field.

The cow looked back at the ox, scared and confused. She didn’t understand why she was being taken away while the ox got to rest. The ox, seeing this, said, “This is why you enjoyed your comfort while I worked in the fields.”

The cow was led away to be sacrificed, realizing too late that her easy life had a cost. Meanwhile, the ox rested, his work finished for the day.

Once upon a time, on a quiet farm, there was a young cow and an old ox. One morning, the cow saw the ox working hard in the field, pulling a heavy plow. She laughed at him and said how hard his life seemed, while she enjoyed her time doing nothing. The ox just looked at her and kept working, saying nothing.

A few weeks later, harvest season arrived. The farm was busy and full of excitement. The farmer unharnessed the ox and let him rest. The ox watched as the farmer tied up the cow and led her away from the field.

The cow looked back at the ox, scared and confused. She didn’t understand why she was being taken away while the ox got to rest. The ox, seeing this, said, “This is why you enjoyed your comfort while I worked in the fields.”

The cow was led away to be sacrificed, realizing too late that her easy life had a cost. Meanwhile, the ox rested, his work finished for the day.

Once upon a time, on a farm that was as regular as mashed potatoes, there was a young Heifer and an older, funny Ox. It was a sunny day, the kind of day you'd want to just hang out and do nothing. But not for Ox!

Young Heifer saw Ox working really hard, pulling a heavy plow. "Hey Ox, you're all sweaty! What's going on? Are you in some sort of Farm Olympics?" She giggled, acting like she was a TV host.

Ox looked at her, lifting one eyebrow. "Ah, to be young and only worry about which spot has the yummiest grass." Then, like a switch was flipped, he went back to pulling the plow.

Before they knew it, the air smelled like fresh apples and tasty pies. It was harvest time! The farm was as busy as a playground at recess.

Ox felt the plow unhook from him. "Ah, time for a break!" he thought, dreaming of rolling in a nice mud puddle.

Just then, Heifer found herself getting all the attention. The farmer took out a strong rope and started tying her up. "Hold on, what's happening? Is this some new game?"

Heifer looked at Ox, puzzled. "Why do you get to relax, and I get tied up?"

Ox, kicking back as if he had a recliner, winked at her. "You see, while you were busy tasting grass and having cow parties, I was doing my job. Life's not all fun and games, kiddo."

As Heifer was led away, maybe to a place she didn't want to go, it finally clicked. Ox was relaxing, maybe even getting ready for a hay smoothie, knowing his work was done. And just like that, Heifer realized that sometimes doing nothing has a really big cost.

Heifer young and Ox so wise,
Lived where fields meet open skies.
Ox was strong and pulled the plow,
Heifer laughed, "You're working now!"

Heifer danced and skipped with glee,
Life was fun as fun could be.
Ox just gave a quiet stare,
Back to work, he had to bear.

Days went by and leaves turned gold,
Harvest time in tales of old.
Ox was freed to rest his might,
For he'd worked from dawn to night.

Farmer came with rope in hand,
Led the Heifer from the land.
Heifer's eyes grew wide with dread,
"Why’s the Ox at ease?" she said.

Ox replied, "My toil was true,
While you danced the whole day through.
Comfort had its cost, you see,
Work brings rest and sets you free."

Heifer led away to find,
Idleness had trapped her mind.
Ox lay down to rest his bone,
Knowing work had set the tone.

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Word Finder

  1. Quiet

    No sound or noise around; very calm.

  2. Plow

    Tool used to dig the ground for farming.

  3. Seemed

    Looked like; appeared to be a certain way.

  4. Harvest

    Time when crops are gathered from fields.

  5. Season

    Specific time of year for certain events.

  6. Unharnessed

    Removed equipment from an animal working hard.

  7. Tied

    Fastened with rope to keep in place.

  8. Confused

    Not understanding what is happening around.

  9. Comfort

    Being relaxed, happy, and free from work.

  10. Sacrificed

    Given up for something important or meaningful.

Understanding Questions

  1. What was the young cow doing when she saw the ox working?
  2. How did the ox react when the cow laughed at him?
  3. What happened to the ox when the harvest season started?
  4. Why was the cow scared and confused when the farmer led her away?
  5. What did the ox say to the cow when she was being led away?
Word Finder
  1. Quiet

    No sound or noise around; very calm.

  2. Plow

    Tool used to dig the ground for farming.

  3. Seemed

    Looked like; appeared to be a certain way.

  4. Harvest

    Time when crops are gathered from fields.

  5. Season

    Specific time of year for certain events.

  6. Unharnessed

    Removed equipment from an animal working hard.

  7. Tied

    Fastened with rope to keep in place.

  8. Confused

    Not understanding what is happening around.

  9. Comfort

    Being relaxed, happy, and free from work.

  10. Sacrificed

    Given up for something important or meaningful.

Understanding Questions
  1. What was the young cow doing when she saw the ox working?

    1. Eating grass
    2. Playing with friends
    3. Sleeping
    4. Watching the ox
  2. How did the ox react when the cow laughed at him?

    1. He ignored her
    2. He laughed back
    3. He got angry
    4. He felt sad
  3. What happened to the ox when the harvest season started?

    1. He was sold
    2. He worked harder
    3. He rested
    4. He got sick
  4. Why was the cow scared and confused when the farmer led her away?

    1. She didn't know where they were going
    2. She missed her friends
    3. She saw the ox
    4. She wanted to stay
  5. What did the ox say to the cow when she was being led away?

    1. "Don't worry, you'll be fine!"
    2. "Goodbye!"
    3. "Come back!"
    4. "I will miss you!"
  1. What was the young cow doing when she saw the ox working?
  2. How did the ox react when the cow laughed at him?
  3. What happened to the ox when the harvest season started?
  4. Why was the cow scared and confused when the farmer led her away?
  5. What did the ox say to the cow when she was being led away?
  1. What was the young cow doing when she saw the ox working?
  2. How did the ox react when the cow laughed at him?
  3. What happened to the ox when the harvest season started?
  4. Why was the cow scared and confused when the farmer led her away?
  5. What did the ox say to the cow when she was being led away?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the Heifer was laughing at the Ox when he was working hard?
  2. How do you think the Heifer felt when she was led away by the farmer, and why?
  3. Can you recall a time when you learned that not everything easy and comfortable is always good for you, like the Heifer learned?
  4. What does this story tell us about the importance of hard work and understanding our roles?
  5. How can you apply the lesson from this fable in your daily tasks? Can you give an example?
Fable Quotes
Idleness and mockery bear the weight of regret, for consequences emerge when the price of ignorance is paid.
Remember, making fun of others can lead to trouble.
True wisdom lies in recognizing the value of labor and the consequences of idleness.
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