Aesop
|
Greece

The Heron and the Fish

A Heron catches small fish but waits for a bigger one, ultimately ending up hungry and empty-handed.
Greed
Understanding
Contentment
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Aesop's Fables - The Heron and the Fish
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, in a quiet pond surrounded by reeds and lush greenery, lived a Heron. The Heron was a proud and elegant bird, with long legs and a sharp beak that made it easy for him to catch fish. Every day, the Heron would stand in the shallow water, waiting patiently for its prey to swim by.

One day, as the Heron was waiting for his meal, a small fish swam past. The Heron quickly seized it with his beak, but upon closer inspection, he realized that the fish was very small and not worth eating. He released the fish back into the pond, thinking that a larger, more satisfying meal would soon come his way.

As the day went on, the Heron continued to wait, and another fish swam by. This fish was a bit bigger than the first, but still not large enough to satisfy the Heron's appetite. Once again, the Heron let the fish go, confident that an even bigger fish would come his way.

The sun began to set, and the Heron was growing increasingly hungry. Finally, a third fish appeared – the largest he had seen all day. Excitedly, the Heron prepared to strike, but just as he was about to catch the fish, it slipped through his beak and disappeared into the murky water.

Disappointed and hungry, the Heron realized that his day of waiting and searching for the perfect meal had left him with nothing to eat.

Once upon a time, in a quiet pond surrounded by tall grass and green plants, lived a Heron. The Heron was a proud bird with long legs and a sharp beak, making it easy for him to catch fish. Every day, the Heron stood in the shallow water, waiting for fish to swim by.

One day, a small fish swam past the Heron. He quickly caught it with his beak but saw it was very small and not worth eating. He let the fish go, thinking a bigger fish would come soon.

As the day went on, the Heron kept waiting. Another fish swam by, a bit bigger than the first, but still not big enough. The Heron let this fish go too, sure that a bigger fish would come.

The sun began to set, and the Heron was very hungry. Finally, a third fish appeared – the biggest one he had seen all day. The Heron got ready to catch it, but just as he was about to, the fish slipped through his beak and swam away.

Feeling sad and hungry, the Heron realized that his day of waiting for the perfect meal left him with nothing to eat.

Once upon a time, in a quiet pond surrounded by tall grass and green plants, lived a Heron. The Heron was a proud bird with long legs and a sharp beak, making it easy for him to catch fish. Every day, the Heron stood in the shallow water, waiting for fish to swim by.

One day, a small fish swam past the Heron. He quickly caught it with his beak but saw it was very small and not worth eating. He let the fish go, thinking a bigger fish would come soon.

As the day went on, the Heron kept waiting. Another fish swam by, a bit bigger than the first, but still not big enough. The Heron let this fish go too, sure that a bigger fish would come.

The sun began to set, and the Heron was very hungry. Finally, a third fish appeared – the biggest one he had seen all day. The Heron got ready to catch it, but just as he was about to, the fish slipped through his beak and swam away.

Feeling sad and hungry, the Heron realized that his day of waiting for the perfect meal left him with nothing to eat.

Once upon a zippy time, in a pond that had more tall grasses than you could count, lived a Heron. Now, imagine this Heron as the rock star of all birds. Long legs, cool feathers, and a pointy beak that could nab a fish faster than you can say "Yummy!"

Each day, this Heron waltzed into the shallow water like he was the king of the pond. He'd stand super still, waiting for some clueless fish to swim by. This bird was like a super-secret spy—really cool and really good at catching fish.

So, one day, our Heron was chillin', when a teeny-tiny fish swam by. Zap! He grabbed it faster than you can jump on a trampoline. But then he looked and said, "Hey, this fish is so small, it's like a crumb! It's snack size, and I want a whole meal!" So, he let the little fish go, sure that a big, yummy fish was just around the corner.

Time ticked on, and another fish swam by. This one was a little bigger, but still, Heron was like, "Nope, not big enough! I want the biggest fish ever!" So back into the pond went fish number two.

The sun started going to bed, and our Heron's tummy was making funny noises, like a drum in a parade. Just then—ta-da!—the biggest fish he'd seen all day wiggled by. Heron's eyes got big as saucers. He got ready, thinking, "Oh boy, this is it!"

But right as he tried to grab the fish, whoosh! The fish dodged him and swam away, like it was playing hide-and-seek and didn't want to be found.

So, there stood Heron, all alone as it got dark, with a belly as empty as your toy box when you've taken everything out to play. He waited all day for the perfect thing to eat, and ended up with nothing. Zip. Zero.

But hey, the sun will come up again, right? And maybe, just maybe, Heron will think smaller fish are pretty great too. After all, when you're hungry, you can't be picky!

By a quiet pond with reeds so grand,
Lived a Heron tall, you must understand.
With beak so sharp and legs so long,
He sought to dine where fish belong.

A small fish swam, quick as a flash,
Into his beak, then gone in a splash.
“Too small, too small,” said Heron with flair,
Hoping for a catch that was rare.

Another fish came, a bit more in size,
But Heron thought, “This won’t suffice.”
He let it go, a feast in his dream,
For he aimed to catch the big extreme.

Sun dipped low, Heron’s tummy did moan,
When a large fish swam in the twilight zone.
Just as he thought, “This one’s for the book,”
The fish slipped away, in the pond’s hidden nook.

Heron stood there, a lesson to meet,
His quest for perfection left him nothing to eat.
Sometimes, it's wise, when good comes your way,
To be grateful and feast, without further delay.

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Word Finder

  1. Heron

    A tall bird with long legs and beak.

  2. Proud

    Feeling important or better than others sometimes.

  3. Shallow

    Not very deep, easy to see the bottom.

  4. Beak

    The hard, pointed mouth of a bird.

  5. Swam

    Moved through the water using fins or body.

  6. Appeared

    Came into view, became visible or seen.

  7. Surrounded

    All around something on every side.

  8. Caught

    Grabbed or held something in your hand quickly.

  9. Slipped

    Moved or fell away accidentally from someone's hold.

  10. Realized

    Understood something suddenly or became aware.

Understanding Questions

  1. Where did the Heron live, and what made it a good place for catching fish?
  2. Why did the Heron let the first fish go after catching it?
  3. How did the size of the second fish compare to the first one?
  4. What happened when the Heron finally tried to catch the biggest fish?
  5. What lesson did the Heron learn by the end of the day?
Word Finder
  1. Heron

    A tall bird with long legs and beak.

  2. Proud

    Feeling important or better than others sometimes.

  3. Shallow

    Not very deep, easy to see the bottom.

  4. Beak

    The hard, pointed mouth of a bird.

  5. Swam

    Moved through the water using fins or body.

  6. Appeared

    Came into view, became visible or seen.

  7. Surrounded

    All around something on every side.

  8. Caught

    Grabbed or held something in your hand quickly.

  9. Slipped

    Moved or fell away accidentally from someone's hold.

  10. Realized

    Understood something suddenly or became aware.

Understanding Questions
  1. Where did the Heron live, and what made it a good place for catching fish?

    1. In a forest
    2. By a river
    3. In a desert
    4. On a mountain
  2. Why did the Heron let the first fish go after catching it?

    1. It was too small
    2. It was too big
    3. It was not tasty
    4. It was a friend
  3. How did the size of the second fish compare to the first one?

    1. It was smaller
    2. It was the same size
    3. It was bigger
    4. It was the biggest
  4. What happened when the Heron finally tried to catch the biggest fish?

    1. It missed
    2. It caught it
    3. It scared it away
    4. It let it go
  5. What lesson did the Heron learn by the end of the day?

    1. To be patient
    2. To catch everything
    3. To leave the water
    4. To fly away
  1. Where did the Heron live, and what made it a good place for catching fish?
  2. Why did the Heron let the first fish go after catching it?
  3. How did the size of the second fish compare to the first one?
  4. What happened when the Heron finally tried to catch the biggest fish?
  5. What lesson did the Heron learn by the end of the day?
  1. Where did the Heron live, and what made it a good place for catching fish?
  2. Why did the Heron let the first fish go after catching it?
  3. How did the size of the second fish compare to the first one?
  4. What happened when the Heron finally tried to catch the biggest fish?
  5. What lesson did the Heron learn by the end of the day?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the Heron kept letting the smaller fish go?
  2. How do you think the Heron felt when the biggest fish slipped away?
  3. Can you remember a time when you were waiting for something better and missed out on what you had?
  4. What does this story teach us about contentment and making the most of opportunities?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story to be more grateful and satisfied with what we have in our lives?
Fable Quotes
Greed may lead you to seize, but it may also make your prize cease.
Understanding the worth of what we have is the key to true happiness.
Find contentment in what you hold, for treasures aren't always made of gold.
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