The Fox and the Goat
A Fox fell into a well, and though it was not very deep, he found that he could not get out again. After he had been in the well a long time, a thirsty Goat came by. The Goat thought the Fox had gone down to drink, and so he asked if the water was good.
“The finest in the whole country,” said the crafty Fox, “jump in and try it. There is more than enough for both of us.”
The thirsty Goat immediately jumped in and began to drink.
The Fox just as quickly jumped on the Goat’s back and leaped from the tip of the Goat’s horns out of the well.
The foolish Goat now saw what a plight he had got into, and begged the Fox to help him out.
But the Fox was already on his way to the woods.
“If you had as much sense as you have a beard, old fellow,” he said as he ran,
“you would have been more cautious about finding a way to get out again before you jumped in.”
Moral of the story
Think before you act: Consider the consequences before making decisions.
Be cautious: Be careful before trusting others blindly.
Questions for the children
- Why do you think the Goat jumped into the well without checking?
- Can you share a situation when you had to think carefully before making a decision?
Post Note: This story is based on Aesop’s fable, written around 600 BC. In this retelling, we’ve used simpler words to make the story easier for young readers to understand.
