The Travelers and the Sea
Two Travelers were walking along the seashore. Far out they saw something riding on the waves.
“Look,” said one, “a great ship rides in from distant lands, bearing rich treasures!”
The object they saw came ever nearer the shore.
“No,” said the other, “that is not a treasure ship. That is some fisherman’s small boat, with the day’s catch of tasty fish.”
Still nearer came the object. The waves washed it up on the shore.
“It is a chest of gold lost from some wreck,” they cried.
Both Travelers rushed to the beach, but there they found nothing but a water-soaked log.
Moral of the story
Stay realistic: It’s important to see things as they are, not just how we hope them to be.
Don’t let excitement cloud judgment: Sometimes, our feelings can lead us to imagine things that aren’t true.
Questions for the children
- Why do you think the Travelers got excited about what they saw on the waves?
- Can you recall a time when you were really excited about something, but it turned out differently than you expected?
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.
