Aesop
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Greece

The Seagull and The Kite

A Seagull ate a big fish and got stuck, a passing Kite scolded him for eating out of his element.
Caution
Greed
Consequences
Aesop's Fables - The Seagull and The Kite
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, in a bustling seaside town, a lively Seagull found a large, shiny fish washed up on the shore. "Oh, what a delicious feast this will be!" he squawked excitedly. Without a second thought, he gobbled up the fish, but it was too big for his belly!

Suddenly, he felt a pang in his throat. He squawked and squirmed, but the fish was stuck tight. As he struggled, a Kite, soaring high above the shore, spotted the poor Seagull.

The Kite swooped down and said, "Oh dear Seagull, aren't you a bird? Why are you eating from the sea?" The Kite paused, then continued, "Your home is in the sky like mine, not down here!"

The Seagull felt embarrassed and let out a sorrowful squawk. He realized his mistake but it was too late, the fish was still stuck in his belly. The Kite shook his head, flapped his wings, and soared back into the sky, leaving the Seagull behind on the sandy beach.

Once upon a time, in a seaside town that was always buzzing like it'd just had three shots of espresso, a lively Seagull stumbled upon a large, shiny fish. It looked so sparkly it could've been in a disco. "Blimey! That’s like finding the last piece of cake in the fridge," the Seagull chirped. "This is better than chips!" And with dreams of being the envy of all his seagull mates, he tried gobbling up the fish. But, it was like trying to fit an elephant into a mini-cooper; it was too big for his belly!

Suddenly, he felt as if he'd swallowed a bowling ball. He hopped around, trying to sing a tune to soothe his throat. "Fish, fish, go away, come again another... Oh wait, never again!"

High above, a Kite, with the style and grace of a world-famous acrobat, spotted the theatrics below. With a swoop and a flair that would make any circus performer jealous, he came to the Seagull's side.

"Oi, Mr. Seagull," the Kite said with a smirk, "Trying a new diet, are we? Last time I checked, we birds were more into sky food, not sea grub!"

The Seagull looked up, his feathers puffing out with embarrassment. "I... I thought it was a jellybean!" he croaked.

The Kite chuckled, "Ah, we all have those 'thought it was a jellybean' moments. Just remember, mate, next time keep an eye out for the size tag!" And with a wink, he spread his wings and headed back to the clouds, leaving the Seagull reconsidering his snack choices on the beach.

By the waves that dance and play,
A Seagull found a prize one day.
A fish so shiny, silver, and sleek,
The Seagull squawked, “What a tasty treat!”

With eagerness, he took a bite,
But soon felt a heavy plight.
The fish too big, his throat it wedged,
He squirmed, he squawked, on the edge!

From the azure skies up high,
The Kite saw the Seagull's sigh.
Down he swooped, with wings so wide,
“Seagull friend, why's the sea your guide?

Birds like us belong in the blue,
The vast open skies, so grand and true!”
With a flap and a wink, the Kite took flight,
Leaving the Seagull, pondering his plight.

The Seagull sat, with a sigh and a moan,
On the beach, he felt so alone.
He wished for the skies, the clouds, the breeze,
And remembered to nibble, not gobble with ease!

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the Seagull chose to eat the big, shiny fish without thinking first?
  2. How do you think the Seagull felt when the Kite pointed out his mistake?
  3. Can you think of a time when you made a quick decision that you later regretted, like the Seagull?
  4. What lesson do you think the Kite was trying to teach the Seagull?
  5. How can we apply this story's lesson to our own lives, to think before we act?

Fable Quotes

In caution, we find the foresight to avoid the pitfalls of greed.
When our wants exceed our needs, we may find we've bitten off more than we can chew.
Rushing into things can lead us to trouble; always think before you act.
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