Aesop
|
Greece

The Hunter and The Woodman

A timid hunter seeks a lion and meets a woodman who offers a direct encounter, but the hunter declines due to perceived risks.
Fear
Courage
Wisdom
Aesop's Fables - The Hunter and The Woodman
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, in a deep, vast forest, a hunter was looking for a lion. This hunter was not known for his bravery, but he was curious and eager to find signs of the powerful beast. His heart pounded with every step he took into the quiet, dense woods.

In the heart of the forest, he met a woodman, a strong man who was busy chopping down grand old oak trees. The hunter, eager to find any information, asked the woodman, "Have you seen any marks of the lion? Do you know where his den might be?"

The woodman, having spent most of his days amongst the trees, knew the forest and its creatures well. He paused his work, wiped the sweat from his brow, and looked at the hunter. Then, with a sly smile, he said, "I can do better than that. I can take you to the lion himself."

Upon hearing this, the hunter's face turned as white as a sheet. His legs started shaking, and his teeth began to chatter. He quickly said, "No, thank you. I was only looking for the lion's tracks, not the lion himself."

And so, he continued on his way, leaving the woodman to his work and the lion to his lair. The hunter realized then that the pursuit of knowledge sometimes comes with risks that he may not be ready to face.

Once upon a super fun time in a forest so thick you could get lost just looking at it, there was a hunter on a special mission. He was looking for a lion! Not just any lion, but the coolest lion in the forest.

Tip-toeing through the forest like he was in a game of hide-and-seek, the hunter's heart went "thump-thump" really loud. "Lion, where are you? Ready or not, here I come!"

Deep, deep in the forest where even your phone says "no way," he ran into a woodman. This guy was chopping down trees like they were toy blocks. WHACK! Another tree hits the ground.

Puffing and puffing, the hunter couldn't wait to ask, "Hey, Mr. Woodman! Have you seen any lion paw prints around? Know where his secret hiding spot is?"

The woodman, who was funny enough to be in a comedy show, stopped chopping. He wiped his forehead like he was brushing off invisible dirt and gave a big grin. "Oh, you wanna see a lion? How about this: I give you a VIP ticket to meet Mr. Lion himself!"

The hunter's face turned as white as a marshmallow. His knees wiggled and his teeth started to chatter like they were cold. "Um, VIP? No, thanks. I just wanted to see where the lion walks, not meet him face-to-face!"

"Ah, I see. So you just want a sneak peek, not the full show," said the woodman, laughing as he picked up his axe again. "Alright, off you go!"

And off the hunter went, quick as a bunny. He left the woodman to keep on chopping and the lion to chill in his secret spot. The hunter learned a big lesson that day: Being curious is great, but make sure you're also brave enough for what you might find.

Deep within a vast and green expanse,
A hunter sought a lion, by chance.
Not brave was he, but keen to trace,
The mighty lion's resting place.

While wandering amidst the trees so grand,
He met a woodman, axe in hand.
"Good sir," asked he with eager plea,
"Have you seen the lion or signs of he?"

The woodman, strong, with wisdom clear,
Knew every secret of the frontier.
He smirked and said, with twinkling eyes,
"I’ll show the lion, would you like a surprise?"

The hunter's face turned ghostly pale,
His courage, in that moment, did fail.
"Just the tracks will do," he began,
"I'd rather not meet him, if I can!"

He walked away, his quest undone,
While the woodman laughed, having fun.
For the hunter learned, as the tale unwinds,
Seeking knowledge has its bounds and lines.

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the Hunter was scared when the Woodman offered to show him the lion?
  2. How did the Hunter's feelings change throughout the story?
  3. Can you remember a time when you were curious about something, but became nervous when you had the chance to experience it?
  4. What does this story teach us about curiosity and courage?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story when we want to learn new things but feel scared?

Fable Quotes

In the face of fear, wisdom and caution are our most trusted companions.
Courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.
Wisdom is the light that shines brightest in the darkest of uncertainties.
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