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The Tricky Wolf and the Rats

A cunning Wolf tricks a group of rats into becoming his prey, but the Great Rat outsmarts him in the end.
Trickery
Wisdom
Trust
Featured in Fable Book
Jataka Tales - The Tricky Wolf and the Rats
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, in a bustling forest, a Great Rat was the leader of a large group of smaller rats. He was wise and respected by all his little friends. In the same forest, a sly Wolf also lived. Seeing the large group of rats, the Wolf's mouth watered. He wanted to gobble them all up. But he couldn't figure out how to capture them. After much thought, he came up with a crafty plan.

The Wolf positioned himself near the home of the rats, standing only on his back legs. Seeing this strange sight, the Great Rat asked the Wolf, "Why are you standing on your back legs, Wolf?"

Pretending to be in pain, the Wolf replied, "I'm lame, Great Rat. My front legs hurt when I stand on them."

And then the Wolf opened his mouth wide. Seeing this, the Great Rat asked again, "Why is your mouth wide open?"

"I need as much air as I can get," said the Wolf. "Air is my only food because I cannot run or walk to hunt. I just stay here, trying to bear my condition without complaint." Saying this, the Wolf lay down, appearing pitiful.

The Great Rat felt sorry for the Wolf. Every morning and evening, he led his group of rats to visit and chat with the Wolf. And every time, as they were leaving, the cunning Wolf quickly caught and ate the last rat in line. He then wiped his mouth and pretended as if nothing happened.

As days passed, the rats started noticing that their numbers were getting smaller. They were confused and scared, and turned to the Great Rat for help. The Great Rat suspected the Wolf but wasn't completely sure.

The next day, he decided to switch the order. He told the rats, "You all go ahead of me today. I will follow at the end." The rats followed his instruction, and as the Great Rat was leaving, the Wolf pounced. But he was too slow. The Great Rat was able to dodge and escape.

"You've been pretending all along, Wolf!" the Great Rat exclaimed. "Your legs are not lame. And you're eating more than just air, aren't you? Your trickery ends here!"

With that, the Great Rat lunged at the Wolf's throat and bit him hard. The Wolf fell down and did not get up. From that day on, the Rats lived happily and peacefully, always reminding each other about the importance of being alert and not being fooled by appearances, no matter how convincing they may be.

Once upon a time, in a busy forest, there was a big, wise Rat who was the leader of many smaller rats. All the little rats loved and respected him. In the same forest lived a tricky Wolf. The Wolf was always hungry and wanted to eat the rats, but he didn't know how to catch them.

One day, the Wolf had a clever idea. He stood on his back legs near the rats' home. The big Rat saw this and asked, "Wolf, why are you standing like that?"

The Wolf pretended to be hurt and said, "Oh, my front legs hurt, so I can't stand on them."

Then, the Wolf opened his mouth wide. The big Rat asked, "Why is your mouth open?"

The Wolf lied and said, "I need a lot of air because I can't run or walk to hunt. I stay here and hope to feel better soon." The Wolf lay down, looking very sad.

The big Rat felt sorry for the Wolf. Every morning and evening, he led his rats to visit and talk with the Wolf. Each time, as they were leaving, the sneaky Wolf would catch and eat the last rat in line. He then wiped his mouth and pretended like nothing happened.

After some days, the rats noticed that some of their friends were missing. They were scared and went to the big Rat for help. The big Rat thought it might be the Wolf but wasn't sure.

The next day, the big Rat had an idea. He told the other rats, "Today, you all go ahead, and I will be the last one." The rats listened, and as the big Rat was leaving, the Wolf tried to catch him. But the big Rat was quick and escaped.

"You've been tricking us, Wolf!" said the big Rat. "You are not hurt, and you have been eating my friends!"

The big Rat jumped at the Wolf and bit him hard. The Wolf fell down and didn't get up. From that day on, the rats lived happily and safely. They always remembered to be careful and not to trust tricky appearances.

Once upon a time, in a busy forest, there was a big, wise Rat who was the leader of many smaller rats. All the little rats loved and respected him. In the same forest lived a tricky Wolf. The Wolf was always hungry and wanted to eat the rats, but he didn't know how to catch them.

One day, the Wolf had a clever idea. He stood on his back legs near the rats' home. The big Rat saw this and asked, "Wolf, why are you standing like that?"

The Wolf pretended to be hurt and said, "Oh, my front legs hurt, so I can't stand on them."

Then, the Wolf opened his mouth wide. The big Rat asked, "Why is your mouth open?"

The Wolf lied and said, "I need a lot of air because I can't run or walk to hunt. I stay here and hope to feel better soon." The Wolf lay down, looking very sad.

The big Rat felt sorry for the Wolf. Every morning and evening, he led his rats to visit and talk with the Wolf. Each time, as they were leaving, the sneaky Wolf would catch and eat the last rat in line. He then wiped his mouth and pretended like nothing happened.

After some days, the rats noticed that some of their friends were missing. They were scared and went to the big Rat for help. The big Rat thought it might be the Wolf but wasn't sure.

The next day, the big Rat had an idea. He told the other rats, "Today, you all go ahead, and I will be the last one." The rats listened, and as the big Rat was leaving, the Wolf tried to catch him. But the big Rat was quick and escaped.

"You've been tricking us, Wolf!" said the big Rat. "You are not hurt, and you have been eating my friends!"

The big Rat jumped at the Wolf and bit him hard. The Wolf fell down and didn't get up. From that day on, the rats lived happily and safely. They always remembered to be careful and not to trust tricky appearances.

Once upon a super fun time in a forest that was hopping with animals, there was a Great Rat. Oh yeah, he was like the smartest teacher of all rats. Knew all the best snack spots, helped everyone find their way—you know what I mean. His rat crew was huge, like a big birthday party!

Now, guess who walks in? A Wolf—sly as a sneaky cat, and so hungry his tummy was rumbling. He looked at all those rats and thought, "Yum, a big rat picnic! But how do I catch them?"

So here's the plan: The Wolf stands on his back legs like he's playing a game of "Simon Says."

Great Rat sees him and asks, "Hey Wolf, why are you standing like that? Trying to reach a cookie jar?"

Wolf makes a sad face, "Ah, Great Rat, my front legs are all achy. Feels like stepping on a toy block."

Then Wolf opens his big mouth really wide. Great Rat wonders, "Why are you opening your mouth like you're going to eat a giant sandwich?"

"Breathing, my friend, just breathing! It's all I can do now. Walking and running are out of the question! I'm just sitting here feeling sorry for myself," the Wolf says, pretending to be really, really sad.

Great Rat feels bad for him. Every morning and night, he takes his rat friends over to talk with Mr. Wolf. But here's the trick—each time they leave, the Wolf grabs the last rat and eats it when no one is looking.

After a while, the rats notice their group is getting smaller. "Hey, where is everyone going?" They all get a little worried and ask Great Rat what's going on.

Great Rat thinks something isn't right. The next time they visit the Wolf, he says, "Ok, buddies, you go on ahead. I'll be the last one this time."

Guess what happens? The Wolf tries to catch him, but he's too slow! Great Rat jumps away super-fast and shouts, "Ha! Wolf, you're not really hurt! You've been eating my friends, haven't you?"

Then—zoom!—Great Rat jumps super high and bites the Wolf really hard. The Wolf falls down and doesn't get up again.

From then on, the rats are free to play and have fun without worrying about Mr. Wolf. But they always remember: Sometimes someone who looks like they need help is really just pretending.

And they all lived happily and had tons of fun forever.

Deep within the woods where tall trees grew,
A Great Rat led, and his followers, they flew.
He was wise, strong, and to all did appeal,
His followers trusted, his leadership real.

Nearby, a sly Wolf with a glint in his eyes,
Watched the rats, imagining his prize.
Hunger gnawed, a plan he did devise,
To gobble them up, under the blue skies.

Standing tall on his hind legs so neat,
The Wolf played a game, his plan quite discreet.
"Why do you stand so?" asked the Rat, astute,
"My front legs ache, they're no longer cute."

Then with a yawn, the Wolf’s mouth opened wide,
“Why so?” the Great Rat again replied.
“For air,” said the Wolf, “is all I can eat,
For my legs are so sore, I admit my defeat."

With pity, the Rat visited day and night,
Little did he know, it was a dangerous plight.
For every time they left, one rat disappeared,
Eaten by the Wolf, as the Great Rat had feared.

Days flew by, the rat numbers did decline,
The Great Rat pondered, seeing the sign.
"You go first,” he said, a new plan in play,
"I'll stay at the back, keep danger at bay."

The Wolf tried to pounce, his intentions quite clear,
But the Great Rat dodged, and shouted, “You're near!”
"You've been deceitful, Wolf, with your act and your flair,
You're not just breathing air, but causing despair!"

With courage and might, the Great Rat did fight,
Bit the Wolf's throat, using all his might.
The Wolf was defeated, his trickery done,
The rats cheered their leader, the battle was won.

And from that day forth, in the woods they did say,
Always be alert, don’t be led astray.
Appearances deceive, so be wise and be smart,
For true strength lies in a vigilant heart.

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Word Finder

  1. Wise:

    Smart and makes good decisions after thinking carefully.

  2. Respected:

    Admired and looked up to by others.

  3. Clever:

    Quick to think of good ideas and solutions.

  4. Pretended:

    Acted like something was true, but it wasn’t.

  5. Hunt:

    To chase and try to catch something to eat.

  6. Sneaky:

    Secretly does things without being noticed.

  7. Wiped:

    Cleaned something by rubbing it, like a mouth.

  8. Escaped:

    Got away from a dangerous situation or place.

  9. Tricking:

    Fooling someone by making them believe something false.

  10. Careful:

    Being cautious to avoid danger or mistakes.

Understanding Questions

  1. Why did the Wolf stand on his back legs near the rats' home?
  2. How did the Wolf explain the reason for keeping his mouth open?
  3. What did the Big Rat and his group do every morning and evening with the Wolf?
  4. How did the rats discover that some of their friends were missing?
  5. What plan did the big Rat come up with to uncover the Wolf's trickery?
Word Finder
  1. Wise:

    Smart and makes good decisions after thinking carefully.

  2. Respected:

    Admired and looked up to by others.

  3. Clever:

    Quick to think of good ideas and solutions.

  4. Pretended:

    Acted like something was true, but it wasn’t.

  5. Hunt:

    To chase and try to catch something to eat.

  6. Sneaky:

    Secretly does things without being noticed.

  7. Wiped:

    Cleaned something by rubbing it, like a mouth.

  8. Escaped:

    Got away from a dangerous situation or place.

  9. Tricking:

    Fooling someone by making them believe something false.

  10. Careful:

    Being cautious to avoid danger or mistakes.

Understanding Questions
  1. Why did the Wolf stand on his back legs near the rats' home?

    1. A) To look taller
    2. B) To show he was friendly
    3. C) To scare the rats
    4. D) To see inside their home
  2. How did the Wolf explain the reason for keeping his mouth open?

    1. A) He was hungry
    2. B) He was yawning
    3. C) He wanted to talk
    4. D) He was showing off his teeth
  3. What did the Big Rat and his group do every morning and evening with the Wolf?

    1. A) They played games
    2. B) They brought him food
    3. C) They told him stories
    4. D) They watched him
  4. How did the rats discover that some of their friends were missing?

    1. A) They heard a noise
    2. B) They counted their friends
    3. C) They saw the Wolf
    4. D) They found clues
  5. What plan did the big Rat come up with to uncover the Wolf's trickery?

    1. A) To trap the Wolf
    2. B) To pretend to befriend him
    3. C) To leave the area
    4. D) To gather more rats
  1. Why did the Wolf stand on his back legs near the rats' home?
  2. How did the Wolf explain the reason for keeping his mouth open?
  3. What did the Big Rat and his group do every morning and evening with the Wolf?
  4. How did the rats discover that some of their friends were missing?
  5. What plan did the big Rat come up with to uncover the Wolf's trickery?
  1. Why did the Wolf stand on his back legs near the rats' home?
  2. How did the Wolf explain the reason for keeping his mouth open?
  3. What did the Big Rat and his group do every morning and evening with the Wolf?
  4. How did the rats discover that some of their friends were missing?
  5. What plan did the big Rat come up with to uncover the Wolf's trickery?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the Wolf pretended to be hurt and unable to hunt?
  2. How did the Great Rat figure out the Wolf was tricking them all?
  3. Can you recall a time when someone's actions didn't match up with their words, like the Wolf in the story?
  4. What does this story teach us about being observant and understanding the true intentions of others?
  5. How can we use this lesson in our lives to avoid falling for tricks or false appearances?
Fable Quotes
Beware the sweetest lies, for behind them lurks the most cunning trickery.
Appearances can deceive, but wisdom lies in seeing through the charade and revealing the truth.
Trust your instincts, for even the sweetest words can disguise the sharpest fangs.
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