Once upon a time, there was a man who hunted birds. He had set up a clever trap in the forest to catch his prey. One day, as he was setting up his trap, he accidentally pricked his finger on a sharp stick. Tears welled up in his eyes and began to trickle down his cheeks.
In a nearby tree, a young bird watched the man. It saw the tears and mistook them for a sign of sadness. "Look," the young bird said to an older bird sitting beside it, "the man is crying. He must be sorry for trapping and killing us."
The older bird, wise with age, shook his head and chirped, "Do not be fooled, my dear. Those tears are not from pity or remorse. They come from the sting of a sharp stick, not from the sorrow of his deeds."
And so, the older bird reminded the young one not to be swayed by outward appearances, but to be wise and vigilant. For not all that glitters is gold, and not all tears are shed in sorrow.
Once upon a time, there was a man who liked to catch birds. He set up a smart trap in the forest to catch them. One day, while he was working on his trap, he accidentally poked his finger on a sharp stick. It hurt a lot, and he started to cry.
In a tree nearby, a young bird saw the man. The bird saw the man's tears and thought he was sad. "Look," the young bird said to an older bird next to it, "the man is crying. He must feel bad for catching and hurting us."
The older bird, who was very wise, shook its head and said, "Don't be fooled, my dear. Those tears are not because he feels sorry for us. They are because the sharp stick hurt him, not because he regrets what he did."
The older bird taught the young one to be careful and smart. It said that not everything is as it seems. Sometimes, people cry for different reasons, and not all tears mean they are sad for what they have done.
Once upon a time, there was a man who liked to catch birds. He set up a smart trap in the forest to catch them. One day, while he was working on his trap, he accidentally poked his finger on a sharp stick. It hurt a lot, and he started to cry.
In a tree nearby, a young bird saw the man. The bird saw the man's tears and thought he was sad. "Look," the young bird said to an older bird next to it, "the man is crying. He must feel bad for catching and hurting us."
The older bird, who was very wise, shook its head and said, "Don't be fooled, my dear. Those tears are not because he feels sorry for us. They are because the sharp stick hurt him, not because he regrets what he did."
The older bird taught the young one to be careful and smart. It said that not everything is as it seems. Sometimes, people cry for different reasons, and not all tears mean they are sad for what they have done.
Once upon a time in a forest that was like the playground of all playgrounds—swing sets, monkey bars, and drama, oh my!—there was this guy. He's wandering around, setting up bird traps like they're toy puzzles. But then, oopsie-daisy! He pokes his finger on a really sharp stick.
"Ouchie!" he shouts, hopping on one foot. "That stick was sneakier than a ninja!"
High up in a tree, a young bird, all fluffy and cute, turns to an older bird who looks like he could tell some really cool campfire stories. The young one chirps, "Hey, look! That guy down there is crying. Do you think he's sorry for trying to catch us?"
The older bird, looking half like a wise grandpa and half like the funniest bird you've ever met, shakes his head. "Nah, kiddo. Those aren't 'I'm sorry for catching birds' tears. Those are 'Ouch, that stick hurt!' tears."
"But what if he's—"
"Nope, no 'what ifs,' little one. If he was really sorry, he'd be giving us a pile of yummy worms instead of making traps. Got it?"
The young bird thinks for a moment. "So you mean, don't just look at what it seems like, but think about what's really happening?"
"You got it, sport. Just because someone looks sad doesn't mean they're sorry. It could just mean they got a boo-boo. Remember, not everything shiny on the ground is a treasure, and not every cry means 'I'm sorry.'"
And so, the young bird nodded, a tiny light bulb going off in his birdie brain.
In a forest bright and deep,
A hunter sought birds, his prize to keep.
One day, while setting his trap so neat,
A sharp stick pricked him, oh what a feat!
From his eyes, tears did fall,
While a young bird watched, perched up tall.
"See," said the chick to an elder near,
"He cries for us, it's clear."
The elder bird, with wisdom vast,
Replied, "Little one, don't judge so fast.
His tears are not for us, you see,
But from the prick of that tree."
The young one learned that very day,
Not all tears mean the same, come what may.
Appearances can sometimes deceive,
So watch, think, and always believe.
By mistake, without planning or intention.
Something that can cut or hurt easily.
Water drops from your eyes when you cry.
Feeling sorry or bad about something done.
Smart and knowing many things from experience.
To trick or make someone believe something wrong.
Paying close attention to avoid mistakes or danger.
A device used to catch animals or people.
To cause pain or injury to someone.
To appear or look like something is true.
By mistake, without planning or intention.
Something that can cut or hurt easily.
Water drops from your eyes when you cry.
Feeling sorry or bad about something done.
Smart and knowing many things from experience.
To trick or make someone believe something wrong.
Paying close attention to avoid mistakes or danger.
A device used to catch animals or people.
To cause pain or injury to someone.
To appear or look like something is true.
Why did the man cry while working on his trap?
What did the man use to try and catch birds in the forest?
What did the young bird initially think about the man's tears?
How did the older bird explain the man's tears to the young bird?
What lesson did the older bird teach the young bird about people's tears?
A thirsty crow finds a pitcher with water too low to reach. What clever trick will he use to get a drink?
When a farmer brings a bundle of sticks to his sons, they stop arguing. How did a simple bundle of sticks teach them?
The powerful North Wind and the gentle Sun try to make a traveler take off his cloak to prove who is stronger. Which one will succeed?
Steady and patient, a slow tortoise dares to race against a confident hare. Who will cross the finish line first?
A king's elephant and a dog form a friendship, are suddenly separated, but they are reunited by the king and live happily.
A lion spares a tiny mouse who promises to return the favor one day. How could such a small mouse possibly help a lion?
While the grasshopper dances through summer, the ant works hard, gathering food. Which one will survive when winter arrives?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Enjoy 25 selected fables for life, in print. Every purchase supports free stories for children, parents, and teachers worldwide at fablereads.com
Learn More
