Aesop
|
Greece

The Owl and The Birds

A wise owl warned birds about seeds that could grow into hawk trees, but they ignored her, leading to their own downfall.
Ignorance
Choice
Wisdom
Aesop's Fables - The Owl and The Birds
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, there was an owl who lived in a tall, old tree. This owl was known for her wisdom among all the birds.

One day, the owl saw a few seeds spread on the ground near the tree. Looking closer, she recognized the seeds to be of the mighty hawk tree, which, when fully grown, served as home for hawks, the dreaded enemies of smaller birds.

The wise owl called all the birds and showed them the seeds. She told them, "These seeds could grow into large trees. If the hawk trees grow, they could house hawks that might harm us."

The birds chattered among themselves. They didn't see any hawks. They only saw harmless seeds. "Why worry about something that might not even happen?" they argued.

Ignoring the wise owl's advice, they left the seeds untouched. In time, the seeds grew into tall hawk trees. As the owl had warned, hawks came to live in the trees, causing great trouble for the birds.

The birds regretted not listening to the owl. They realized they had had the chance to remove the seeds, the root of their problems. Yet they had ignored the threat, leading to their own downfall.

Once upon a time, in a tall, old tree, lived an owl known for being wise among all the birds.

One day, the owl saw some seeds on the ground near her tree. She looked at them closely and recognized that they were from hawk trees. These trees become homes for hawks, which are scary to smaller birds.

The wise owl called all the birds and showed them the seeds. She warned them, "These seeds can grow into big trees that might become homes for hawks. The hawks can harm us."

The birds talked to each other. They didn't see any hawks around, only seeds. "Why should we worry about something that might not happen?" they asked.

Even though the owl advised them, they decided to leave the seeds alone. Over time, the seeds grew into tall hawk trees. Just as the owl said, hawks moved into the trees and started causing problems for the birds.

The birds were sorry they did not listen to the owl. They saw that they missed their chance to remove the seeds. By ignoring the possible danger, they had brought trouble upon themselves.

In a big tree, an owl lives. The owl is very smart.

One day, the owl sees some seeds on the ground. The seeds are from big trees. These trees are homes for hawks. Hawks can hurt small birds.

The owl calls all the birds. She shows them the seeds. She says, "These seeds can grow into big trees. Hawks can live in these trees. Hawks can hurt us."

The birds talk to each other. They say, "We do not see hawks. We only see seeds. Why worry now?"

The owl tells them to be careful, but the birds do not listen. The seeds grow into big trees. Hawks come and live in the trees. The hawks start to hurt the birds.

The birds are sorry. They did not listen to the owl. They see the problem now. It is too late to remove the seeds.

Once upon a time, in a tall, old tree, lived an owl known for being wise among all the birds.

One day, the owl saw some seeds on the ground near her tree. She looked at them closely and recognized that they were from hawk trees. These trees become homes for hawks, which are scary to smaller birds.

The wise owl called all the birds and showed them the seeds. She warned them, "These seeds can grow into big trees that might become homes for hawks. The hawks can harm us."

The birds talked to each other. They didn't see any hawks around, only seeds. "Why should we worry about something that might not happen?" they asked.

Even though the owl advised them, they decided to leave the seeds alone. Over time, the seeds grew into tall hawk trees. Just as the owl said, hawks moved into the trees and started causing problems for the birds.

The birds were sorry they did not listen to the owl. They saw that they missed their chance to remove the seeds. By ignoring the possible danger, they had brought trouble upon themselves.

Once upon a time, right, there was this owl, perched high up in an old tree. We're talking ancient, like "really-really-old-kind-of-tree." This owl was basically the brainiac of the bird world.

"Darlings, gather around!" the owl hooted one day, eyes wide with urgency. She spotted some seeds on the ground. "Not the usual seeds you see in the park. These are the superstar, VIP kind of seeds—the hawk tree seeds!"

Nearby birds fluttered in, mumbling and tweeting, their feathers all a-ruffle. "Hawk tree seeds? What's the big deal? They don't look special."

The owl sighed dramatically. "Listen up, my feathered friends! These aren't just any seeds. These are the 'make-you-wish-you-listened' seeds. If they grow, they'll welcome hawks with open branches!"

Birds exchanged skeptical glances. "Well, I don't see any hawks. Do you?" "Nope, none at all." "Well, let's not get too worked up over some seeds, okay?"

The owl rolled her eyes. "Oh, I get it, living on the edge, eh? Think of these seeds as sneaky little surprises. Harmless now, but just wait!"

But the birds shrugged it off. They went on tweeting about their latest feather styles and completely ignored the seeds.

Time rolled by, and guess what? Those little seeds grew up to be towering hawk trees. And then the hawks arrived, acting all fancy like they owned the place. Now the forest was swamped with hawks, and not in a fun party kind of way.

"See? Told you so!" the owl said. "Could've nipped it in the bud, but nooo, you had to be all carefree!"

The birds were filled with regret, not to mention a tad bit scared. "Maybe we should've listened to the wise owl after all."

And from then on, the birds knew to pay attention to small problems before they became big ones, like noticing a tiny hole in your sock before it turns huge. Because handling tiny problems is way easier than big, overwhelming ones!

In a forest glade, a tree stood tall,
An owl atop, the wisest of all.
Among all birds, her vision did gleam,
Seeing the truth, beyond just a dream.

One bright day, seeds lay on the ground,
Of the hawk tree, they were soon found.
“Beware!” she warned, “If these seeds grow,
Hawks will come, causing sorrow and woe.”

But the birds chirped, not heeding the sign,
"Why fear seeds? Everything's fine!
We see no hawks, no threat today,
Why fret about something so far away?”

Ignoring the owl, they let seeds be,
Soon they sprouted, for all to see.
Tall hawk trees rose, reaching the sky,
Housing hawks that swooped from up high.

Regret filled the birds, realizing too late,
Ignoring wisdom was a grave mistake.
From a tiny seed, troubles did befall,
The oversight leading to their downfall.

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Word Finder

  1. Wise

    Smart, understands things well, gives good advice.

  2. Seeds

    Tiny parts of plants that grow into new plants.

  3. Hawk

    Large bird that hunts and eats smaller animals.

  4. Warned

    Told about a danger, cautioning to be careful.

  5. Harm

    To hurt or cause damage to someone or something.

  6. Advised

    Gave suggestions or recommendations about what to do.

  7. Decided

    Made a choice after thinking about something.

  8. Ignored

    Chose not to pay attention to something important.

  9. Possible

    Something that might happen, but is not certain.

  10. Danger

    A situation where something bad might happen.

Understanding Questions

  1. Where did the wise owl make her home and live among the birds?
  2. What did the wise owl find on the ground near the old tall tree?
  3. Why did the wise owl call all the birds to show them the seeds?
  4. How did the birds initially respond to the owl's warning about the seeds?
  5. What happened to the birds when the seeds grew into tall hawk trees?

Word Finder

  1. Owl

    A bird that is active at night.

  2. Smart

    Quick to learn and understand things.

  3. Seeds

    Small parts of plants that grow into new plants.

  4. Hawks

    Large birds that hunt other animals.

  5. Hurt

    Cause pain or injury to someone or something.

  6. Careful

    Paying attention to avoid danger or mistakes.

  7. Grow

    To become bigger or develop over time.

  8. Homes

    Places where someone or something lives.

  9. Listen

    Pay attention to what someone is saying.

  10. Remove

    Take something away or off from a place.

  1. Wise

    Smart, understands things well, gives good advice.

  2. Seeds

    Tiny parts of plants that grow into new plants.

  3. Hawk

    Large bird that hunts and eats smaller animals.

  4. Warned

    Told about a danger, cautioning to be careful.

  5. Harm

    To hurt or cause damage to someone or something.

  6. Advised

    Gave suggestions or recommendations about what to do.

  7. Decided

    Made a choice after thinking about something.

  8. Ignored

    Chose not to pay attention to something important.

  9. Possible

    Something that might happen, but is not certain.

  10. Danger

    A situation where something bad might happen.

Understanding Questions

  1. Where does the owl live?

    1. In a bush
    2. In a house
    3. In a big tree
    4. In a cave
  2. What does the owl see on the ground?

    1. Worms
    2. Seeds
    3. Leaves
    4. Rocks
  3. Why does the owl call all the birds?

    1. To play with them
    2. To show them the seeds
    3. To tell them a nice story
    4. To ask for help
  4. What do the seeds grow into?

    1. Flowers
    2. Big trees
    3. Grass
    4. Bushes
  5. What happens when the hawks come?

    1. They help the birds.
    2. They hurt the birds.
    3. They leave the birds alone.
    4. They bring food to the birds.
  1. Where did the wise owl make her home and live among the birds?
  2. What did the wise owl find on the ground near the old tall tree?
  3. Why did the wise owl call all the birds to show them the seeds?
  4. How did the birds initially respond to the owl's warning about the seeds?
  5. What happened to the birds when the seeds grew into tall hawk trees?
  1. What did the owl notice on the ground near her tree, and what significance did these objects have?
  2. How did the owl try to warn the other birds about the potential danger of the seeds?
  3. What was the initial reaction of the other birds to the owl's warning, and what was their reasoning?
  4. Describe the outcome for the birds once the seeds grew into tall trees.
  5. What lesson did the birds learn after the hawks moved into the trees, and how did their perspective change?

Reflection Questions

  1. Why did the birds not heed the Owl's warning about the hawk tree seeds?
  2. What do you think the birds could have done differently when they first discovered the seeds?
  3. Can you remember a time when you didn't understand a warning until it was too late, like the birds in the story?
  4. What does this story teach us about foresight and considering future consequences?
  5. Can you think of a way to use this lesson in your daily life to make better decisions?

Fable Quotes

Ignoring wisdom plants the seeds of our own downfall.
Choosing to ignore a warning is choosing to invite danger.
Wisdom's warnings are the echoes of experience.
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