Once upon a time, there was a merchant who went to a big fair to sell his things. He had lots of stuff to sell, and by the end of the fair, everything was gone! His bag was full of gold and silver coins, and he was super happy. He put all his coins into a big bag, put it on his horse, and they started the journey home.
The sun was shining bright in the sky when the merchant stopped in a small town to rest. While resting, a helpful helper noticed something and said to the merchant, "Sir, there's a nail missing from one of your horse’s shoes."
The merchant looked at his horse and thought for a moment. He really wanted to get home before it got dark. "It's okay," he said to the helper. "The shoe will surely last until we get home. I'm in a hurry."
Later, they stopped again so the horse could eat and drink. Another helper came up and said, "Sir, a shoe is missing from your horse's foot. Should I take him to the blacksmith to fix it?"
Again, the merchant was in a rush and replied, "It's okay. We don't have far to go. The horse will manage. I'm in a hurry."
But oh, as they rode on, the poor horse began to limp because walking without a shoe was hard. Soon, the limp turned into a stumble, and before long, the horse fell down and hurt its leg. The merchant felt so sad and realized he should have fixed the shoe when he had the chance. Now, he had to carry the heavy bag of coins all the way home by himself, arriving very late and very tired.
As he walked, the merchant said to himself, "All this trouble came from just one missing nail. If only I had taken a little time to fix it, my horse would not have suffered, and we would have been home much sooner."
Once upon a time, there was a merchant who went to a big fair to sell his things. He had lots of stuff to sell, and by the end of the fair, everything was gone! His bag was full of gold and silver coins, and he was super happy. He put all his coins into a big bag, put it on his horse, and they started the journey home.
The sun was shining bright in the sky when the merchant stopped in a small town to rest. While resting, a helpful helper noticed something and said to the merchant, "Sir, there's a nail missing from one of your horse’s shoes."
The merchant looked at his horse and thought for a moment. He really wanted to get home before it got dark. "It's okay," he said to the helper. "The shoe will surely last until we get home. I'm in a hurry."
Later, they stopped again so the horse could eat and drink. Another helper came up and said, "Sir, a shoe is missing from your horse's foot. Should I take him to the blacksmith to fix it?"
Again, the merchant was in a rush and replied, "It's okay. We don't have far to go. The horse will manage. I'm in a hurry."
But oh, as they rode on, the poor horse began to limp because walking without a shoe was hard. Soon, the limp turned into a stumble, and before long, the horse fell down and hurt its leg. The merchant felt so sad and realized he should have fixed the shoe when he had the chance. Now, he had to carry the heavy bag of coins all the way home by himself, arriving very late and very tired.
As he walked, the merchant said to himself, "All this trouble came from just one missing nail. If only I had taken a little time to fix it, my horse would not have suffered, and we would have been home much sooner."
There is a man. He sells many things at a big market. He is happy because he sells everything. His bag is full of coins. He puts the bag on his horse and starts to go home.
The sun is bright. The man stops in a small town to rest. A helper says, "One of your horse's shoes is missing a nail."
The man looks at the horse. He wants to go home quickly. He says, "It is okay. The shoe is still good. I am in a hurry."
Later, they stop again. The horse eats and drinks. Another helper says, "The horse’s shoe is gone. Do you want me to fix it?"
The man is still in a hurry. He says, "It is okay. The horse will be fine. We do not have far to go."
But the horse starts to limp. It is hard to walk. The horse falls down and hurts its leg. The man feels sad. He now has to carry the heavy bag of coins by himself. He is very tired.
As he walks, the man says, "I should have fixed the nail. Now my horse is hurt, and I am late."
Once upon a time, there was a merchant who went to a big fair to sell his things. He had lots of stuff to sell, and by the end of the fair, everything was gone! His bag was full of gold and silver coins, and he was super happy. He put all his coins into a big bag, put it on his horse, and they started the journey home.
The sun was shining bright in the sky when the merchant stopped in a small town to rest. While resting, a helpful helper noticed something and said to the merchant, "Sir, there's a nail missing from one of your horse’s shoes."
The merchant looked at his horse and thought for a moment. He really wanted to get home before it got dark. "It's okay," he said to the helper. "The shoe will surely last until we get home. I'm in a hurry."
Later, they stopped again so the horse could eat and drink. Another helper came up and said, "Sir, a shoe is missing from your horse's foot. Should I take him to the blacksmith to fix it?"
Again, the merchant was in a rush and replied, "It's okay. We don't have far to go. The horse will manage. I'm in a hurry."
But oh, as they rode on, the poor horse began to limp because walking without a shoe was hard. Soon, the limp turned into a stumble, and before long, the horse fell down and hurt its leg. The merchant felt so sad and realized he should have fixed the shoe when he had the chance. Now, he had to carry the heavy bag of coins all the way home by himself, arriving very late and very tired.
As he walked, the merchant said to himself, "All this trouble came from just one missing nail. If only I had taken a little time to fix it, my horse would not have suffered, and we would have been home much sooner."
Once upon a time, there was a merchant who decided to head to the biggest, flashiest fair in the land to sell his goodies. And oh boy, did he sell! By the end of the fair, his stall was emptier than a candy jar after Halloween. His bag was bursting with gold and silver coins, and he was happier than a squirrel in a nut shop.
So, off he went, jingling all the way home. His horse was doing the heavy lifting. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and everything was just peachy until they stopped in a small town for a rest.
Now, as the horse munched on some hay, a helpful helper came by and said, “Uh, excuse me, Sir Merchant, but there’s a nail missing from one of your horse’s shoes.”
The merchant squinted at the horse’s hoof and scratched his head. “Ah, no biggie,” he said. “The shoe will hold up until we get home. I mean, what’s one little nail, right?”
The horse gave the merchant a look that clearly said, “You sure about that, pal?”
Back on the road, they went, clip-clopping along. Later, they stopped again to let the horse have a drink. Another helper popped up, looking all serious. “Sir, I hate to be a bother, but your horse is missing a whole shoe now. Maybe we should visit the blacksmith?”
The merchant, feeling all kinds of rushed, waved it off. “Nah, we’re almost home. The horse can handle it. We don’t have time for blacksmiths and all that fuss.”
The horse sighed. You could almost hear it thinking, “This is going to be a disaster, isn’t it?”
And sure enough, disaster struck! The horse began to limp like it was auditioning for a penguin dance troupe. Then, the limp turned into a stumble, and before you could say “nail,” the poor horse went down like a sack of potatoes, its leg hurting something fierce.
The merchant’s heart sank faster than a stone in a pond. “Oh no, poor horse! I should’ve listened to those helpful helpers! Now look at us!”
The horse, lying on the ground with an expression that said, “Told you so,” watched as the merchant huffed and puffed trying to carry his now super-heavy bag of coins.
By the time the merchant finally got home, he was more tired than a dog chasing its tail all day. He plopped down, panting like he’d just run a marathon.
“All this trouble because of one little nail,” he groaned. “If only I hadn’t been in such a hurry!”
The horse, resting with its leg wrapped up, just blinked at him. If horses could talk, it’d probably say, “Next time, listen to the experts, buddy. They know their nails!”
A merchant traveled to a fair so grand,
With goods to sell from his own hand.
He sold them all, his bag was filled,
With coins of silver, gold, he thrilled.
He placed his coins in a heavy sack,
And on his horse, they started back.
The sun was bright, the day was warm,
They rode with ease, no sign of harm.
In a small town, they stopped to rest,
A helper said, "Sir, it’s best,
To fix your horse’s missing nail,
Or on the road, it might fail."
But in his haste, the merchant said,
"No need to stop, go on instead.
We’ll make it home, the way is clear,
The shoe will last, no need to fear."
Later they stopped, the horse to feed,
Another said, "A shoe you need!"
The merchant sighed, "We’re nearly there,
The horse can manage, don’t despair."
But as they rode, the horse grew tired,
Its pace slowed down, its strength expired.
It stumbled once, then lost its stride,
The merchant now walked by its side.
With every step, he shook his head,
Regretting words that he had said.
"For want of a nail, my horse did fall,
And now I walk, carrying it all."
A person who sells goods or things.
A large event where people sell and buy things.
A person who helps or assists someone.
A person who makes or repairs metal things.
To walk with difficulty because of pain.
To trip or almost fall while walking.
A small metal piece used to fasten things.
A trip from one place to another.
To move or do something quickly.
To be able to do something, even with difficulty.
A place to buy and sell things.
Small round pieces of metal money.
A person who helps someone with work.
Something is not where it should be.
A small metal thing that holds things together.
Doing something fast without delay.
Moving or doing something very fast.
To make something broken work again.
Walking with difficulty because of pain.
To hold and move something heavy.
A person who sells goods or things.
A large event where people sell and buy things.
A person who helps or assists someone.
A person who makes or repairs metal things.
To walk with difficulty because of pain.
To trip or almost fall while walking.
A small metal piece used to fasten things.
A trip from one place to another.
To move or do something quickly.
To be able to do something, even with difficulty.
What does the man sell at the market?
What does the man put on his horse?
What is missing from the horse's shoe?
What happens to the horse later?
What does the man learn at the end?
A thirsty crow finds a pitcher with water too low to reach. What clever trick will he use to get a drink?
The powerful North Wind and the gentle Sun try to make a traveler take off his cloak to prove who is stronger. Which one will succeed?
A king's elephant and a dog form a friendship, are suddenly separated, but they are reunited by the king and live happily.
Steady and patient, a slow tortoise dares to race against a confident hare. Who will cross the finish line first?
When a farmer brings a bundle of sticks to his sons, they stop arguing. How did a simple bundle of sticks teach them?
A lion spares a tiny mouse who promises to return the favor one day. How could such a small mouse possibly help a lion?
While the grasshopper dances through summer, the ant works hard, gathering food. Which one will survive when winter arrives?
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