Aesop
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Greece

The Oak and The Reeds

A proud Oak tree mocks flexible Reeds, but during a hurricane, the Oak falls while the Reeds survive by bending.
Pride
Adaptability
Resilience
Aesop's Fables - The Oak and The Reeds
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, a large Oak tree lived next to a gentle brook. In the waters of the brook, a group of slender Reeds swayed. Whenever the wind blew, the Oak stood tall, its hundreds of branches reaching for the sky. The Reeds, however, would bow their heads low, rustling softly.

The Oak said, "How come even the tiniest breeze makes you bend, while I stand tall even in the strongest wind?"

The Reeds answered, "Don't worry about us. The wind doesn't harm us because we bend with it, but you always fight against it. Be careful, Oak, the wind can be powerful."

Just as they finished speaking, a roaring hurricane blew from the north. The Oak, full of pride, fought against the furious winds. The Reeds, on the other hand, bowed low, moving with the force of the wind. The hurricane grew stronger and, all of a sudden, the great Oak was uprooted and fell, lying sadly among the Reeds.

The Reeds stood up straight again, unharmed, while the once proud and mighty Oak lay uprooted and still. The Reeds' ability to bend, not break, had saved them, proving that sometimes it's better to yield and adapt to changes rather than resist and be destroyed.

Once upon a time in a forest that was so colorful it looked like a crayon box exploded, there was this big Oak tree. Now, this Oak was basically the Hulk of trees—strong, tall, and pretty sure he was unbeatable.

Next to him was a babbling brook, but let's call it a chatty stream because it was full of skinny Reeds that never stopped moving. These Reeds liked to sway and wiggle, sorta like they were always doing a fun dance.

So, one day, a wind comes by, whooshing like someone trying to catch a bus. The Oak? He's like, "Ha! You call that wind? I don't even feel it!" But the Reeds, they start dancing around like they're in a disco!

The Oak tree couldn't help but laugh. "Why are you jiggly Reeds dancing around? I'm standing here like a boss!"

The Reeds giggled back, "We're not 'jiggly!' We're flexible! That's how we roll. Or dance, actually. You should try it!"

The Oak was all, "Flexible-shmexible! I’m made of strong stuff! Bring on the wind!"

Just then, a really, REALLY big wind—like, the "hold onto your hats, folks!" kind—zooms through the forest. The Oak tries to hold firm, but it's like trying to say 'no' to dessert—really hard.

The Reeds, on the other hand, go into full dance mode. They're bending and swaying like they're on a dance show!

Then—BOOM! The Oak tree tumbles down with a big thud, like a tower of building blocks.

The Reeds pop back up, not a scratch on them. "See, Mr. Oak? A little wiggling goes a long way!"

The Oak tree, now flat on the ground, has to agree. "Well, I guess when life whooshes you around, better to dance than to fall flat on your face, eh?"

So there you have it. The Reeds keep on dancing, and the Oak? Well, let’s just say he's thinking about signing up for dance lessons.

By a gentle brook, where the waters gleam,
Stood a towering Oak, strong and supreme.
Beside him, the slender Reeds did sway,
Bending and dancing, come what may.

Oak to the Reeds, with a voice so grand,
"Why do you bow to the wind's command?
Even the tiniest gust, I see,
Makes you bend, while it can't shake me."

Reeds replied with a gentle smile,
"We bend with the wind, mile by mile.
It doesn't harm us; we go with its sway.
But you fight it, Oak, come what may."

Then from the north, with a roar it came,
A hurricane, fierce, no one could tame.
Oak, with pride, stood against the gust,
While Reeds moved with it, as they must.

The hurricane's power, with all its might,
Made the great Oak topple from its height.
But when the storm did finally cease,
The Reeds stood tall, in perfect peace.

Among the Reeds, Oak sadly lay,
His pride and strength now led astray.
The lesson learned, as the brook did gleam,
Sometimes it's best to flow with the stream.

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the Oak was so proud and didn't want to bend like the Reeds?
  2. How did the Reeds' behavior during the hurricane help them survive?
  3. Can you think of a time when you or someone else had to be flexible and adapt to a new situation?
  4. What does this story teach us about the importance of being adaptable when facing changes or challenges?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story in our everyday lives to become more resilient and adaptable?

Fable Quotes

In the face of nature's fury, pride can topple the tall, while humility lifts up the meek.
Survival is not about standing tall, but bending when the wind blows.
Life isn't about weathering the storm but learning to dance in the rain.
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