Aesop
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Greece

The One-Eyed Doe

A doe with one good eye stayed close to a cliff, feeling safe from harm, but was ultimately shot from an unexpected direction.
Caution
Perception
Adaptability
Aesop's Fables - The One-Eyed Doe
Audio available for B1 version

There was once a doe who couldn't see well with one of her eyes. But she was still able to see quite well with her other eye. She made it a habit to stay as close to the edge of a high cliff as she possibly could, thinking this would keep her safe.

She kept her good eye pointed toward the land, so she could quickly notice if any hunters or dogs were approaching. Her other eye, the one that didn't see well, was directed towards the vast sea. She didn't believe any harm could come from the water, so she felt safe.

One day, some men in a boat were sailing not too far from the shore. They spotted the doe near the edge of the cliff. Silently, they aimed an arrow at her and hit her, causing her to fall.

As the doe lay there, taking her final breaths, she thought to herself, "How could this happen? I thought I was safe near the sea. I never imagined danger would come from this side."

Sadly, the doe learned too late that danger could come from anywhere, not just the places we expect.

Once upon a time, in a forest full of bird songs and funny squirrels, there was a deer—a girl deer, called a doe. She had one eye that was kinda fuzzy, like looking through a foggy window. But her other eye? Oh boy, it was super good at seeing stuff!

She thought, "I'm going to stand right next to this huge cliff, like I'm a movie star or something."

"Why the cliff?" Well, she thought it was the best plan ever. She kept her really good eye looking at the woods, watching for anything tricky—like hunters or yappy dogs that always want to play chase.

Her not-so-good eye? It was looking at the ocean. She laughed, "What's gonna get me there? A fish with a water gun? Haha!"

But then, one day, some guys in a boat snuck up on her from the water side. Yep, they didn't know she was supposed to be safe and all. They were like, "Hey, look, a deer! Let's try to hit it with an arrow." So they did.

POW! The arrow got her, and she tumbled down, like a clumsy cartwheel that no one clapped for.

As she lay there, she thought, "What? The ocean? Seriously? I was ready for tricks from the woods, but the water? That's just not fair!"

She thought she was super smart, but oops! She forgot to think about tricks coming from the ocean.

So there she was, having her last thoughts, and making us all think a bit too. Because, guess what? Sometimes, surprises don't just come from where you're looking. They can come from places you never ever thought of! So keep both eyes open, even if one's a bit fuzzy!

Close to a cliff so high and steep,
A doe thought she was safe, her vigil to keep.
One eye saw well, while the other did not,
But she had a plan, at least that's what she thought.

Her strong eye looked at fields so grand,
For hunters or dogs who walked on the land.
The other eye gazed at the ocean so blue,
"No harm from the sea," she thought she knew.

But men in a boat with arrows in hand,
Sailed near the shore, close to her land.
Quietly aiming, they shot from the sea,
The doe had no clue, no time to flee.

Lying there still, her breaths almost gone,
She wondered aloud, "Where did I go wrong?
I thought near the sea, I was ever so safe,
Yet danger snuck in, to that quiet space."

It's sad but it's true, her lesson was clear,
Danger can come from far or near.
So let this tale, be a guide you keep,
For safety's not found, in just one sweep.

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Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the doe chose to stay near the cliff and the sea?
  2. How did the doe's belief about where danger could come from lead to her downfall?
  3. Can you think of a time when something unexpected happened because you weren't fully prepared?
  4. What does this story teach us about being aware and cautious of our surroundings?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story in our lives to be more prepared for unexpected situations?

Fable Quotes

Caution guards against danger from all directions, for ignorance of peril can lead to fatal consequences.
Don't be blinded by limited perception; danger may lurk where you least expect it.
Adaptability is the key to survival, for danger can come from the most unexpected places.
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