The Dove and The Crow
A proud dove boasts about her chicks in a cage, but is confronted by a crow who suggests freedom might be better.
In a small village, there was a dove living in a cage. She had many chicks and felt very proud of them. She often talked about her chicks with great joy.
One day, a crow flying nearby heard the dove talking about her chicks. Curious, he landed on the cage to listen more closely. The dove was happily chatting, boasting about how many chicks she had.
The crow looked at the chicks in the cage and then at the open sky. He said to the dove, "It’s wonderful that you have many chicks, but they are all inside this cage. Having a big family is great, but wouldn’t it be better if they could fly free in the sky?"
The dove looked at the crow, then at her chicks, and finally at the sky. She stopped talking and thought deeply about the crow’s words.
Audio available for B1 version
In a small village, there was a dove living in a cage.
She had many chicks and felt very proud of them.
She often talked about her chicks with great joy.
One day, a crow flying nearby heard the dove talking about her chicks.
Curious, he landed on the cage to listen more closely.
The dove was happily chatting, boasting about how many chicks she had.
The crow looked at the chicks in the cage and then at the open sky.
He said to the dove, "It’s wonderful that you have many chicks, but they are all inside this cage.
Having a big family is great, but wouldn’t it be better if they could fly free in the sky?"
The dove looked at the crow, then at her chicks, and finally at the sky.
She stopped talking and thought deeply about the crow’s words.
Something went wrong. Please try again.
Word Finder
Village
A small group of houses in the countryside.Dove
A type of bird, similar to a pigeon.Cage
A structure of bars to keep animals inside.Chicks
Baby birds that have just hatched.Proud
Feeling happy and satisfied with something.Boasting
Talking with too much pride about something.Curious
Wanting to know or learn more about something.Landed
Came down to the ground from the air.Wonderful
Extremely good; making you feel happy.Deeply
In a serious or thorough manner.
Understanding Questions
- Where did the dove and her chicks live?
- How did the dove feel when she talked about her many chicks?
- What did the crow do when he heard the dove talking about her chicks?
- What suggestion did the crow give to the dove about her chicks?
- How did the dove react to the crow’s words about her chicks?
Reflection Questions
- Why do you think the dove was so proud of her many chicks?
- How do you think the dove felt when the crow said it's better to be free and fly in the sky?
- Can you think of a time when someone's advice made you reconsider something you were proud of?
- What does this story teach us about the value of freedom compared to having a lot of something?
- How can we apply the lesson from this story in our lives to better appreciate our freedoms?
Fable Quotes
A gilded cage is still a cage, true joy lies in the wings spread wide.
Pride is a cage that often traps the proudest.
Perspective shapes our reality: a cage or a haven, freedom or security.
Just One More Fable
- Consequences
- Justice
The Mice That Ate Iron
A merchant's friend sold his entrusted iron rod, lied about mice eating it, and ultimately faced justice for his deceit.
- Value
- Perception
The Carpenter and the Oak Tree
Skilled carpenter encounters a giant oak tree considered useless, but a dream teaches him that perceived weaknesses can be strengths.
- Perception
- Adaptability
The One-Eyed Doe
A doe with one good eye stayed close to a cliff, feeling safe from harm, but was ultimately shot from an unexpected direction.
- Regret
- Consequences
The Crow and The Serpent
A hungry crow pounces on a basking snake, gets bitten by its venomous fangs, and dies, regretting its foolish decision.