Aesop
|
Greece

The Old Hound

Once a mighty hound, now old and frail, failed to catch a boar, pleading with his master to remember his former glory.
Appreciation
Courage
Respect
Aesop's Fables - The Old Hound
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, there lived a hound. In his younger days, this hound was the finest, bravest, and strongest. No beast in the forest could match him. He had taken down the swiftest deer and even the fiercest bears, always returning home victorious.

But time, as it does with all things, took its toll on the hound. His fur became gray, his eyesight weakened, and his once sharp teeth grew dull. Yet, his heart still held the spirit of a mighty warrior.

One day, a boar appeared. Despite his old age, the hound leaped into action, remembering his glorious days. With a bold jump, he seized the boar by the ear. He tried to keep his grip, but his worn-out teeth failed him. The boar wiggled free and escaped.

The hound's master arrived, seeing the boar dash away. He was disappointed and scolded the hound harshly. He blamed the hound for letting the boar get away.

Listening to his master's harsh words, the hound looked up and replied, "Master, it wasn't my spirit that failed me, but my old body. I fought as bravely as in my youth, but my teeth let me down. Remember the strong hound I once was, rather than scold me for being old."

Once upon a time, there was an old hound. When he was younger, he was the strongest and bravest dog around. He could chase the fastest deer and even fight the toughest bears. He always came back a winner.

As the years passed, the hound grew old. His fur turned gray, he couldn't see well, and his sharp teeth became dull. But inside, he still felt like a great warrior.

One day, a wild boar appeared. Even though he was old, the hound jumped up to catch it, thinking of his glorious past. He grabbed the boar by the ear, but his old teeth couldn't hold on, and the boar ran away.

When the hound's owner arrived and saw the boar escaping, he was upset. He scolded the hound for letting the boar get away.

Hearing this, the hound looked up at his owner and said, "Master, my spirit is still strong, but my body is old. I fought as bravely as when I was young, but my teeth couldn't keep up. Please remember me as the strong dog I used to be, not for growing old."

There is an old dog. When he is young, he is strong and brave. He runs fast and catches deer. He can fight bears and always wins.

Now, the dog is old. His fur is gray. He cannot see well. His teeth are not sharp. But he still feels strong inside.

One day, a wild pig comes. The old dog jumps to catch it. He thinks of when he is young. He bites the pig’s ear, but his teeth are too old. The pig runs away.

The owner comes and sees the pig run away. He is angry and scolds the dog.

The dog looks at his owner and says, "I try my best, but I am old. Please remember me as the strong dog I used to be."

Once upon a time, there was an old hound. When he was younger, he was the strongest and bravest dog around. He could chase the fastest deer and even fight the toughest bears. He always came back a winner.

As the years passed, the hound grew old. His fur turned gray, he couldn't see well, and his sharp teeth became dull. But inside, he still felt like a great warrior.

One day, a wild boar appeared. Even though he was old, the hound jumped up to catch it, thinking of his glorious past. He grabbed the boar by the ear, but his old teeth couldn't hold on, and the boar ran away.

When the hound's owner arrived and saw the boar escaping, he was upset. He scolded the hound for letting the boar get away.

Hearing this, the hound looked up at his owner and said, "Master, my spirit is still strong, but my body is old. I fought as bravely as when I was young, but my teeth couldn't keep up. Please remember me as the strong dog I used to be, not for growing old."

Once upon a time—like a really, really long time ago—there lived a hound. This pup was the superstar of the forest. The champion of chase. He had the speed of a race car, the teeth of a saw, and let's not forget that tail, wagging like he just found a lifetime supply of treats. Even the bears tipped their hats, saying, "Well done, mate."

But, you know, time flies, even if you're having fun. Our hound got older, his fur went from jet black to gray, his eyesight dimmed like a flashlight running out of batteries, and his teeth? Let's just say they weren't as sharp as a pencil anymore.

Inside, though? Oh, he was still the superstar, believe me.

One day, a boar comes stomping into the scene like he's the new boss. The hound thinks, "Oh no, you don't. This is my turf!" Then, with all the flair of an acrobat—though maybe not as agile as he used to be—he jumps and grabs the boar by the ear.

Sadly, his teeth, wobbly like a loose door handle, can't hold on. The boar twists, turns, and makes a run for it, faster than a sled down a snowy hill.

In comes the Master, shaking his head. "Really? He got away?"

Looking a bit like he'd lost his favorite toy, the hound says, "Hey, it's not that I didn't try, you know? My heart's still in it, but my teeth are like, 'Nope, not today.' Can't we just remember the good old days when I was the fastest furball in the forest?"

With a sigh, the Master looked down at the hound and finally smiled, a little twinkle in his eyes. "Alright, you've still got that spark, don't you? I suppose it's better to have a hound with spirit than one who's lost all zest for the chase. Come on, let's go home and find you a chew toy you can actually chew."

And so they walked back together, the hound's tail wagging just a bit more enthusiastically. He might not have been as spry as in his youthful days, but he knew he still had what mattered most: the heart of a champion, even if his teeth were ready for retirement.

In a land not too far, where the tall trees are,
Lived a hound with a tale, both renowned and bizarre.
In his days of prime, oh, he shone so bright,
No beast could escape his swift, mighty might.

Deer would race, bears would face,
Yet, none could keep up with his unstoppable pace.
But as suns set and moons arose, time flowed,
His fur turned to silver, his steps became slow.

Though his vision dimmed and teeth weren’t keen,
His brave heart held memories, of the places he'd been.
Then one sunny day, with a grunt and a snort,
Came a boar from the woods, seeking sport.

Old hound remembered, his days of glory,
He leaped at the boar, in newfound glory.
But though his heart soared, and his spirit was right,
His teeth, now weary, couldn’t hold tight.

The master arrived, with dismay in his gaze,
Seeing the hound falter, he was not amazed.
Yet the hound, eyes moist, looked up to implore,
Saying, "Though my body's frail, my spirit's still pure.

Judge not this moment, where strength did betray,
It's time that's diminished my power, I say.
Recall the days of valor, the stories so bold,
Instead of rebuking, for the years I've grown old."

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Word Finder

  1. Hound

    Old dog that hunts and chases animals.

  2. Bravest

    Showing no fear; very courageous and strong.

  3. Warrior

    A fighter who is very brave and skilled.

  4. Boar

    A large wild pig with tusks and strong body.

  5. Glorious

    Very great, wonderful, and full of glory.

  6. Escaping

    Getting away from something or someone quickly.

  7. Scolded

    Spoke angrily to someone for doing wrong.

  8. Spirit

    The inner feelings or courage of a person or animal.

  9. Bravely

    Acting with courage and without fear.

  10. Remember

    To think about again; to not forget something.

Understanding Questions

  1. What was the hound known for when he was younger?
  2. How did the hound's appearance and abilities change as he got older?
  3. What did the hound do when he saw the wild boar?
  4. Why did the hound fail to catch the boar?
  5. What did the hound ask his owner to remember about him?

Word Finder

  1. Strong

    Having much power in the body.

  2. Fight

    Try to hurt someone to win.

  3. Brave

    Not afraid and ready to face danger.

  4. Gray

    The color between black and white.

  5. Sharp

    Able to cut or make things split easily.

  6. Wild

    Living in nature, not with people.

  7. Catches

    Takes and holds something that moves.

  8. Bites

    Uses teeth to hold or cut something.

  9. Scolds

    Tells someone they did something wrong.

  10. Owner

    A person who has something or someone.

  1. Hound

    Old dog that hunts and chases animals.

  2. Bravest

    Showing no fear; very courageous and strong.

  3. Warrior

    A fighter who is very brave and skilled.

  4. Boar

    A large wild pig with tusks and strong body.

  5. Glorious

    Very great, wonderful, and full of glory.

  6. Escaping

    Getting away from something or someone quickly.

  7. Scolded

    Spoke angrily to someone for doing wrong.

  8. Spirit

    The inner feelings or courage of a person or animal.

  9. Bravely

    Acting with courage and without fear.

  10. Remember

    To think about again; to not forget something.

Understanding Questions

  1. What did the dog do when he was young?

    1. He slept all day.
    2. He ran fast and caught deer.
    3. He ate a lot.
    4. He played with other dogs.
  2. What color is the old dog's fur?

    1. Black
    2. Brown
    3. Gray
    4. White
  3. What animal does the old dog try to catch?

    1. A bear
    2. A deer
    3. A pig
    4. A cat
  4. Why does the pig run away?

    1. The pig is scared.
    2. The dog's teeth are too old.
    3. The dog lets it go.
    4. The owner tells it to go.
  5. What does the dog ask his owner to remember?

    1. How he looks now
    2. How strong he used to be
    3. How he eats
    4. How he sleeps
  1. What was the hound known for when he was younger?
  2. How did the hound's appearance and abilities change as he got older?
  3. What did the hound do when he saw the wild boar?
  4. Why did the hound fail to catch the boar?
  5. What did the hound ask his owner to remember about him?
  1. What was the hound known for in his younger days, and how did he demonstrate his strength and bravery?
  2. Describe the physical changes the hound experienced as he aged.
  3. How did the hound react when he saw the wild boar, and what was the outcome of his attempt to catch it?
  4. Why was the hound's owner upset, and what did he say to the hound?
  5. How did the hound explain his inability to hold onto the boar to his owner?

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the hound was so eager to fight the boar, even though he was old?
  2. How do you think the hound felt when his master scolded him after the boar escaped?
  3. Can you remember a time when you tried your best, but it still didn't work out?
  4. What does this story teach us about understanding and empathy, especially towards those who are older?
  5. How can we apply this story's lesson when interacting with our grandparents or elderly people in our lives?

Fable Quotes

Remembering past strengths and appreciating their impact helps us value the essence of one's journey.
True bravery is not defined by age, but by the spirit within one's heart.
Respect the old, for their wisdom outlasts their physical strength.
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