Aesop
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Greece

The Horse and The Stag

A strong Horse seeks help from a clever Hunter to deal with a destructive Stag but ends up enslaved by the Hunter.
Trust
Freedom
Consequences
Aesop's Fables - The Horse and The Stag
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time in a green and luscious meadow lived a strong and beautiful Horse. This meadow was his home, and he enjoyed its fresh grass and soothing breeze. Life was peaceful until one day, a Stag arrived.

This new creature began to cause damage to the meadow, eating the grass and trampling the flowers. This upset the Horse, who was eager to protect his home and teach the Stag a lesson. He decided he needed help to confront this problem.

One day, he approached a Hunter who was known for his cleverness. "Can you help me get rid of the Stag?" the Horse asked the Hunter.

"Of course," replied the Hunter, "but I'll need to use a bridle to guide you and arm myself with a bow and arrows. Is that okay?"

Eager to protect his meadow, the Horse agreed to the Hunter's conditions. The Hunter then put a bridle on the Horse and prepared his bow and arrows.

However, things didn't go as planned for the Horse. Instead of getting revenge on the Stag, the Horse found himself in service to the Hunter. From that day forward, the Horse was no longer free to roam his meadow but worked under the Hunter's guidance instead.

Once upon a time, in a meadow so vibrantly green it could make emeralds jealous, there lived a Horse. This horse was buff, alright—so muscular that even the local gym rats would double-take. "Ah, this is the life," he'd say, enjoying his daily buffet of the meadow's freshest grass.

Then came the Stag. Lean, mean, and definitely not green, this new arrival started gobbling up the grass and moonwalking over the flowerbeds. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, this isn't a dance floor!" thought the Horse, less than pleased with the newcomer's behavior.

So, the Horse had a brainstorm. Time for backup. But not just any backup—a real pro. Enter the Hunter, a legend around these parts, not just for his impeccable aim but for his cunning plans. "Hey Hunter," Horse neighed casually, "Care to assist in showing Mr. Stag there's no 'free lunch' sign hanging around?"

Hunter looked Horse up and down and said, "Alright, but you have to let me put a bridle on you, and I need my bow and arrows. Deal?"

Horse pondered for a moment. "Hmm, it's either that or let this unwanted guest keep treating my home like it's an all-you-can-eat buffet." He nodded. "Deal. Let’s rock and roll!"

So the bridle was on, the bow was strung, and the arrows were set. They looked like characters straight out of an action-adventure movie. What could go wrong?

A lot, as it turns out.

Instead of showing Stag the way out, Horse found himself in a new role—permanently employed as Hunter's sidekick. "Wait a minute," thought Horse, "I was aiming for the leading role in my own story, not a supporting part in someone else's!"

And so the moral unfolds: Be careful who you enlist for help, because you might just end up trading one problem for another. And there Horse was, once the star of his own meadow, now a co-star in someone else's adventure. And there Horse was, once the uncontested hero of his own meadow, now trotting to the tune of another's whims, forever pondering the twists and turns that life can take.

Glistening grass where a Horse did play,
In a land where he danced both night and day.
With a breeze so cool and grass so sweet,
For this mighty Horse, life was truly neat.

But along came the Stag, bold and grand,
Chewing on the grass, marring the land.
Flowers were trampled, as he claimed his space,
The Horse watched closely, with a frown on his face.

To a Hunter he went, with a determined plea,
"Help chase the Stag, let my meadow be free!"
The Hunter nodded, "For your goal to spin,
You'll wear a bridle, and the chase will begin."

But oh dear Horse, too quick to decide,
Now bound to the Hunter, forever to ride.
For though the Stag was chased away soon,
The Horse found he danced to a different tune.

No longer the master of his beautiful land,
He followed the Hunter's every command.
A lesson was learned, as the sun did set,
Choose your allies wisely, lest you regret.

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the Horse decided to ask the Hunter for help?
  2. Was the Horse's decision to involve the Hunter a good idea? Why or why not?
  3. How did the Horse's life change after he agreed to the Hunter's conditions?
  4. What lesson can we learn from the Horse about making decisions in a hurry?
  5. Can you think of a time when you had to make a decision? Did you consider all possible outcomes like the Horse should have?

Fable Quotes

Trust wisely, for not everyone who extends a hand wishes to help.
When we trade freedom for security, often we find ourselves having neither.
Every decision carries its consequence, sometimes heavier than we can bear.
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