Once upon a time, a lion was planning something very important. He wanted to protect the forest from invaders who might try to take over their land. To do this, he called a big meeting with all the animals and asked them to help. Each animal had a special job to do.
The lion told the elephant, “You are strong. You will carry the heavy tools we need to build defenses around the forest.”
To the bear, he said, “You will help us by fighting bravely if there’s trouble.”
The fox was given a clever job. “You will make plans and tricks to confuse our enemies,” the lion said.
The monkey was told, “You will entertain and distract them with your funny tricks.”
But then someone spoke up. “What about the donkeys? They’re not smart. And the hares? They’re too scared and run away all the time!”
The lion shook his head. “No,” he said. “Everyone has a talent we can use. The donkey will be our trumpet. His loud braying will scare our enemies. And the hare? She’s fast! She will carry important messages back to us.”
The lion smiled and added, “A wise leader knows that everyone is important. Every creature has something special to offer.”
Once upon a time, a lion was planning something very important. He wanted to protect the forest from invaders who might try to take over their land. To do this, he called a big meeting with all the animals and asked them to help. Each animal had a special job to do.
The lion told the elephant, “You are strong. You will carry the heavy tools we need to build defenses around the forest.”
To the bear, he said, “You will help us by fighting bravely if there’s trouble.”
The fox was given a clever job. “You will make plans and tricks to confuse our enemies,” the lion said.
The monkey was told, “You will entertain and distract them with your funny tricks.”
But then someone spoke up. “What about the donkeys? They’re not smart. And the hares? They’re too scared and run away all the time!”
The lion shook his head. “No,” he said. “Everyone has a talent we can use. The donkey will be our trumpet. His loud braying will scare our enemies. And the hare? She’s fast! She will carry important messages back to us.”
The lion smiled and added, “A wise leader knows that everyone is important. Every creature has something special to offer.”
The lion has a big idea. He wants to keep the forest safe. He calls all the animals to a meeting. He says, “We need to work together. Everyone will have a job.”
The lion looks at the elephant. He says, “You are strong. You will carry heavy things for us.”
He looks at the bear next. He says, “You are brave. You will protect us if there is danger.”
The fox gets a smart job. The lion says, “You will make plans to confuse our enemies.”
The monkey gets a fun job. The lion says, “You will make the enemies laugh with your tricks.”
But one animal asks, “What about the donkeys? They are loud. What about the hares? They are always scared and run away.”
The lion smiles and says, “No, everyone is important. The donkey will scare the enemies with a loud noise. The hare will run fast and carry messages.”
The lion says, “Everyone is important. When we work together, we are strong.”
Once upon a time, a lion was planning something very important. He wanted to protect the forest from invaders who might try to take over their land. To do this, he called a big meeting with all the animals and asked them to help. Each animal had a special job to do.
The lion told the elephant, “You are strong. You will carry the heavy tools we need to build defenses around the forest.”
To the bear, he said, “You will help us by fighting bravely if there’s trouble.”
The fox was given a clever job. “You will make plans and tricks to confuse our enemies,” the lion said.
The monkey was told, “You will entertain and distract them with your funny tricks.”
But then someone spoke up. “What about the donkeys? They’re not smart. And the hares? They’re too scared and run away all the time!”
The lion shook his head. “No,” he said. “Everyone has a talent we can use. The donkey will be our trumpet. His loud braying will scare our enemies. And the hare? She’s fast! She will carry important messages back to us.”
The lion smiled and added, “A wise leader knows that everyone is important. Every creature has something special to offer.”
Once upon a time, deep in a forest filled with squawking birds, squeaking mice, and gossiping squirrels, the lion called a big meeting. He stood on a rock that was just a little too slippery for dramatic effect. After one not-so-graceful slide down, he cleared his throat and boomed, “Listen up, everyone! We have an important mission.”
The animals leaned in, curious. The sloth, who was only halfway through climbing a tree, paused mid-yawn. Even the ants stopped their endless marching to pay attention.
“We need to protect our forest from invaders,” the lion announced. “So, I’m assigning jobs. Every creature here has a special role to play!”
“Even the worms?” whispered a hedgehog. “They don’t even have legs!”
“Yes, even the worms,” the lion said with a sigh. “Now, pay attention!”
He turned to the elephant first. “You’re big, you’re strong, and you never forget. You’ll carry the tools to build our defenses.”
The elephant puffed out his chest, then tripped on his trunk. “Oh, I’ll do my best! Uh, maybe I’ll start with something light... like a feather?”
Next, the lion pointed to the bear. “You’ll be our brave protector. If there’s trouble, you’ll take care of it.”
The bear flexed dramatically. “Rawr!” he growled, then grinned. “Just kidding, I’ll be nice unless we’re in trouble. Then it’s rawr time for real.”
The fox was next. “You’re clever,” the lion said. “You’ll come up with tricks to confuse anyone who tries to mess with us.”
The fox tilted his head, pretending to think hard. “Okay, but can I get a fancy spy coat and some sunglasses? Every good trickster needs a look.”
The lion rolled his eyes. “Sure, whatever helps you focus.”
Then came the monkey. “You,” said the lion, “will distract the invaders with your funny tricks.”
The monkey did a backflip and landed upside down. “You mean like this?” he asked, his voice muffled because his head was stuck in the ground. The animals burst out laughing, and the lion nodded. “Exactly.”
Just then, someone in the back—a loud, opinionated parrot—squawked, “But what about the donkeys? All they do is eat grass! And the hares? They’re just scaredy-cats with long ears!”
The lion raised a paw for silence. “Oh, I’m glad you asked,” he said with a grin. “The donkey will be our trumpet. His loud braying will scare away anyone who comes too close.”
The donkey, who had been chewing on a carrot, looked up and said, “Wait, I get to be loud on purpose? Best job ever!”
The lion continued, “And the hare? She’s fast, so she’ll carry important messages.”
The hare, who had been nervously twitching her nose, blinked. “Wait, you want me to run around with scary invaders nearby?”
“Yes,” the lion said. “You’re faster than anyone here. Plus, you’ve been practicing your sprints every time a leaf rustles.”
The hare thought about it and finally nodded. “Okay, but if I see a butterfly, I’m taking a five-second break. Those things are freaky.”
The lion chuckled. “A wise leader knows that everyone is important. Whether you’re big, small, loud, or quiet, we all have something special to offer.”
The animals cheered, except for the sloth, who was still trying to climb the same tree. “I’m assuming my job is... motivational support?” he called down.
The lion grinned. “Exactly.”
And from that day on, the forest animals worked together, each using their own special talent, proving that teamwork—even with a few giggles—was the best defense of all.
Deep in the forest, the lion sat tall,
Calling a meeting, inviting them all.
“The forest needs guarding, the dangers are near,
Together we’ll keep our home safe, never fear!”
The elephant trumpeted, big and so strong,
“You’ll carry our tools as we move along.”
The bear gave a growl, “You’ll guard us with might,
Protecting the forest both day and by night.”
The fox flicked her tail, her mind sharp and quick,
“You’ll plan clever traps and confuse with a trick.”
The monkey swung high from a tree with great cheer,
“You’ll make them laugh loud and distract them from here!”
But then from the crowd came a voice full of doubt,
“What can a donkey or hare bring about?
The donkey’s too noisy, the hare is too shy,
They’ll only cause trouble—let’s leave them, oh my!”
The lion stood tall with a wise, knowing grin,
“Every small talent helps us to win.
The donkey’s loud braying will sound like a horn,
Scaring off foes when the battle is born.”
“And the hare,” he continued, “is speedy and spry,
She’ll carry our messages swiftly nearby.
No creature’s too small, too slow, or too meek,
Together, we’re stronger—each one is unique.”
The animals cheered, their spirits held high,
Even the doubters now understood why.
The lion had shown them, with wisdom and care,
That each had a role, from the strong to the rare.
So off they all went, their hearts full of pride,
Guarding the forest, standing side by side.
A lesson was learned, and forever they knew,
That everyone matters—yes, even you too!
Thinking about how to do something important.
People or animals who enter and take over.
Things made to protect from harm or danger.
To make others happy by being funny or fun.
To take someone’s attention away from something.
A special skill or something you’re really good at.
A loud sound made to signal or warn others.
The loud, funny sound donkeys make.
Words sent to tell someone important information.
A person or animal who guides or helps others.
A thought about doing something new.
A time when people talk together.
When something bad might happen.
People or animals who want to hurt you.
Funny or clever things to make people laugh.
Feeling afraid or worried about something.
A sound you can hear.
Words sent from one person to another.
Keep someone or something safe from harm.
With others, not alone or apart.
Thinking about how to do something important.
People or animals who enter and take over.
Things made to protect from harm or danger.
To make others happy by being funny or fun.
To take someone’s attention away from something.
A special skill or something you’re really good at.
A loud sound made to signal or warn others.
The loud, funny sound donkeys make.
Words sent to tell someone important information.
A person or animal who guides or helps others.
What does the lion want to do?
What is the elephant’s job?
How does the monkey help?
Why is the donkey important?
What is the main message of the story?
When a farmer brings a bundle of sticks to his sons, they stop arguing. How did a simple bundle of sticks teach them?
A thirsty crow finds a pitcher with water too low to reach. What clever trick will he use to get a drink?
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?
While the grasshopper dances through summer, the ant works hard, gathering food. Which one will survive when winter arrives?
Steady and patient, a slow tortoise dares to race against a confident hare. Who will cross the finish line first?
A lion spares a tiny mouse who promises to return the favor one day. How could such a small mouse possibly help a lion?
A king's elephant and a dog form a friendship, are suddenly separated, but they are reunited by the king and live happily.
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