Once upon a time, a large Oak tree lived next to a gentle brook. In the waters of the brook, a group of slender Reeds swayed. Whenever the wind blew, the Oak stood tall, its hundreds of branches reaching for the sky. The Reeds, however, would bow their heads low, rustling softly.
The Oak said, "How come even the tiniest breeze makes you bend, while I stand tall even in the strongest wind?"
The Reeds answered, "Don't worry about us. The wind doesn't harm us because we bend with it, but you always fight against it. Be careful, Oak, the wind can be powerful."
Just as they finished speaking, a roaring hurricane blew from the north. The Oak, full of pride, fought against the furious winds. The Reeds, on the other hand, bowed low, moving with the force of the wind. The hurricane grew stronger and, all of a sudden, the great Oak was uprooted and fell, lying sadly among the Reeds.
The Reeds stood up straight again, unharmed, while the once proud and mighty Oak lay uprooted and still. The Reeds' ability to bend, not break, had saved them, proving that sometimes it's better to yield and adapt to changes rather than resist and be destroyed.
Once upon a time, there was a big tree called an Oak living by a gentle stream. In the water, some tall, thin plants called Reeds swayed back and forth. When the wind blew, the Oak tree stood straight and tall, reaching up to the sky. But the Reeds bent down, moving with the wind.
The Oak tree laughed and said, "Why do you bend so easily when the wind blows? Look at me! I stand tall and strong."
The Reeds replied, "Don't worry about us. The wind doesn't hurt us because we bend with it. But you always fight against it. Be careful big tree, the wind can be very strong."
Just as they finished talking, a powerful storm came from the north. The Oak tree stood proud and fought the wind. "See how strong I am?" the Oak tree said proudly. The Reeds, however, bent low, moving with the storm. The wind became even stronger, and suddenly, the Oak tree was pulled out of the ground and fell down, lying sadly next to the Reeds.
The Reeds stood up straight again, safe and unharmed, while the Oak tree lay on the ground, unable to move. The Reeds had stayed safe because they could bend with the wind, showing that sometimes it's better to go with the flow and adapt, instead of resisting and getting hurt.
Once upon a time, there was a big tree called an Oak living by a gentle stream. In the water, some tall, thin plants called Reeds swayed back and forth. When the wind blew, the Oak tree stood straight and tall, reaching up to the sky. But the Reeds bent down, moving with the wind.
The Oak tree laughed and said, "Why do you bend so easily when the wind blows? Look at me! I stand tall and strong."
The Reeds replied, "Don't worry about us. The wind doesn't hurt us because we bend with it. But you always fight against it. Be careful big tree, the wind can be very strong."
Just as they finished talking, a powerful storm came from the north. The Oak tree stood proud and fought the wind. "See how strong I am?" the Oak tree said proudly. The Reeds, however, bent low, moving with the storm. The wind became even stronger, and suddenly, the Oak tree was pulled out of the ground and fell down, lying sadly next to the Reeds.
The Reeds stood up straight again, safe and unharmed, while the Oak tree lay on the ground, unable to move. The Reeds had stayed safe because they could bend with the wind, showing that sometimes it's better to go with the flow and adapt, instead of resisting and getting hurt.
Once upon a time in a forest that was so colorful it looked like a crayon box exploded, there was this big Oak tree. Now, this Oak was basically the Hulk of trees—strong, tall, and pretty sure he was unbeatable.
Next to him was a babbling brook, but let's call it a chatty stream because it was full of skinny Reeds that never stopped moving. These Reeds liked to sway and wiggle, sorta like they were always doing a fun dance.
So, one day, a wind comes by, whooshing like someone trying to catch a bus. The Oak? He's like, "Ha! You call that wind? I don't even feel it!" But the Reeds, they start dancing around like they're in a disco!
The Oak tree couldn't help but laugh. "Why are you jiggly Reeds dancing around? I'm standing here like a boss!"
The Reeds giggled back, "We're not 'jiggly!' We're flexible! That's how we roll. Or dance, actually. You should try it!"
The Oak was all, "Flexible-shmexible! I’m made of strong stuff! Bring on the wind!"
Just then, a really, REALLY big wind—like, the "hold onto your hats, folks!" kind—zooms through the forest. The Oak tries to hold firm, but it's like trying to say 'no' to dessert—really hard.
The Reeds, on the other hand, go into full dance mode. They're bending and swaying like they're on a dance show!
Then—BOOM! The Oak tree tumbles down with a big thud, like a tower of building blocks.
The Reeds pop back up, not a scratch on them. "See, Mr. Oak? A little wiggling goes a long way!"
The Oak tree, now flat on the ground, has to agree. "Well, I guess when life whooshes you around, better to dance than to fall flat on your face, eh?"
So there you have it. The Reeds keep on dancing, and the Oak? Well, let’s just say he's thinking about signing up for dance lessons.
By a gentle brook, where the waters gleam,
Stood a towering Oak, strong and supreme.
Beside him, the slender Reeds did sway,
Bending and dancing, come what may.
Oak to the Reeds, with a voice so grand,
"Why do you bow to the wind's command?
Even the tiniest gust, I see,
Makes you bend, while it can't shake me."
Reeds replied with a gentle smile,
"We bend with the wind, mile by mile.
It doesn't harm us; we go with its sway.
But you fight it, Oak, come what may."
Then from the north, with a roar it came,
A hurricane, fierce, no one could tame.
Oak, with pride, stood against the gust,
While Reeds moved with it, as they must.
The hurricane's power, with all its might,
Made the great Oak topple from its height.
But when the storm did finally cease,
The Reeds stood tall, in perfect peace.
Among the Reeds, Oak sadly lay,
His pride and strength now led astray.
The lesson learned, as the brook did gleam,
Sometimes it's best to flow with the stream.
Moved slowly back and forth with ease.
A small, gentle river flowing through land.
Showing confidence and satisfaction in one's strength.
Curved or changed shape, often in response to pressure.
Change yourself to fit new conditions or situations.
Trying to stop or fight something with strength.
Very strong and able to affect things greatly.
Not hurt or damaged after something dangerous happened.
Happening quickly without any warning or preparation.
The steady movement of something, like water or wind.
Moved slowly back and forth with ease.
A small, gentle river flowing through land.
Showing confidence and satisfaction in one's strength.
Curved or changed shape, often in response to pressure.
Change yourself to fit new conditions or situations.
Trying to stop or fight something with strength.
Very strong and able to affect things greatly.
Not hurt or damaged after something dangerous happened.
Happening quickly without any warning or preparation.
The steady movement of something, like water or wind.
What did the Oak tree think about the way the Reeds moved in the wind?
How did the Reeds explain why they bent with the wind?
What happened to the Oak tree during the powerful storm?
How did the Reeds behave when the storm came?
Why were the Reeds unharmed after the storm while the Oak tree fell?
A lion spares a tiny mouse who promises to return the favor one day. How could such a small mouse possibly help a lion?
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?
While the grasshopper dances through summer, the ant works hard, gathering food. Which one will survive when winter arrives?
When a farmer brings a bundle of sticks to his sons, they stop arguing. How did a simple bundle of sticks teach them?
A king's elephant and a dog form a friendship, are suddenly separated, but they are reunited by the king and live happily.
A thirsty crow finds a pitcher with water too low to reach. What clever trick will he use to get a drink?
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