Aesop
|
Greece

The Trees and The Axe

A man deceives trees into giving him wood for a handle, then cuts them down, leading to their destruction.
Trust
Deception
Consequences
Featured in Fable Book
Aesop's Fables - The Trees and The Axe
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, a man entered a forest and asked the trees for help. He needed to fashion a handle for his axe and requested if any of the trees would provide the wood.

The trees were suspicious of his request, but the man assured them that he only needed the handle to cut down a single tree that was blocking his path. The trees agreed and gave him a young ash sapling.

However, the man used the handle to attach an iron axe head and proceeded to cut down many trees in the forest. It was only then that the trees realized they had misplaced their trust and had been deceived by the man.

Regrettably, the remaining trees realized too late that by helping the man, they had ultimately brought about their own destruction.

Once, a man walked into a forest and asked the trees for help. He needed wood to make a handle for his axe. He asked if one of the trees would give him some wood.

At first, the trees were unsure, but because they were kind and wanted to help, they listened to the man. He promised he only needed to remove a tree that was blocking his way. So, trusting his words, the trees agreed and gave him a young tree.

But after the man made the handle, he attached an iron blade to it. Then, he used the axe to chop down many trees. The trees realized too late that they had trusted the wrong person. By helping him, they also contributed to their own downfall.

Once, a man walked into a forest and asked the trees for help. He needed wood to make a handle for his axe. He asked if one of the trees would give him some wood.

At first, the trees were unsure, but because they were kind and wanted to help, they listened to the man. He promised he only needed to remove a tree that was blocking his way. So, trusting his words, the trees agreed and gave him a young tree.

But after the man made the handle, he attached an iron blade to it. Then, he used the axe to chop down many trees. The trees realized too late that they had trusted the wrong person. By helping him, they also contributed to their own downfall.

Once upon a time in a forest that was more bustling than a candy store on Halloween, a man popped in and started talking to the trees. "Oi, trees! Anyone up for lending a branch or two? Just need a little something for an axe handle," he said, trying to sound as innocent as a kitten.

The trees, who weren't born yesterday, were like, "Hmm, what's the catch, eh? You're not planning a massive tree-chopping spree, are you?"

The man chuckled, "Oh, heavens, no! Just a teensy-weensy tree that's blocking my way. Pinky promise!"

One young ash sapling, feeling all charitable, said, "Alright, fine. Go ahead, take one of my branches. But remember, we've got eyes on you!"

The man grinned and quickly crafted a handle out of the sapling's branch. He then smacked an iron axe head on top of it like frosting on a cake. Before you know it, he was swinging that axe around like a rock star with a guitar, and trees started falling down like bowling pins.

All the trees began to huddle, "Oi! What's going on? This is not a rock concert, mate!"

A wise old oak tree grumbled, "I knew it, I knew it! As trustworthy as a fox running a hen house!"

The young ash sapling sighed, "Well, it looks like we've been had, haven't we? Oh, the irony! Gave him a handle and got handled!"

The remaining trees nodded their leaves sadly, "Indeed, we've been deceived. Took his word and got served!"

And so, the trees realized they should've been more skeptical and listened to their 'tree-gut' feeling.

In a forest full of green and shade,
A man to the tall trees quickly said,
"I need a handle for my axe, you see,
Could one of you kindly give wood to me?"

The trees all whispered, "Can we trust this man?
He might be up to some sly plan."
But the man spoke up, "Oh, don't you fret,
I'll cut just one, no need to sweat."

So a young ash tree said, "Okay,
Take some of my wood, go on your way."
The man was pleased, he smiled with glee,
He crafted his handle, quick as can be.

With axe now ready, strong and grand,
The man didn't stop at just one stand.
He chopped and chopped, tree after tree,
Until the forest wept, "Oh me, oh me!"

Too late the trees knew they’d been fooled,
By trusting a man who broke the rule.
They whispered sadly, "What a cost,
By helping him, ourselves we've lost."

So the tale tells us, be cautious and wise,
Sometimes help comes in a sneaky disguise.
Let’s keep our forest green and grand,
So trees and creatures all can stand.

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Word Finder

  1. Forest

    A large area covered with many trees.

  2. Handle

    The part of a tool you hold with your hand.

  3. Unsure

    Not feeling confident or certain about something.

  4. Promised

    Said that you would definitely do something.

  5. Blocking

    Stopping something from moving through a place.

  6. Trusting

    Believing that someone or something is honest or reliable.

  7. Attached

    Connected or fastened something to something else.

  8. Iron

    A strong, hard metal used to make tools.

  9. Blade

    The flat, sharp part of a tool or weapon.

  10. Downfall

    The loss of power, success, or happiness.

Understanding Questions

  1. Why did the man go into the forest?
  2. What did the man ask the trees for?
  3. How did the trees feel when the man first asked for their help?
  4. What did the man do after he made the handle for his axe?
  5. What lesson did the trees learn after helping the man?
Word Finder
  1. Forest

    A large area covered with many trees.

  2. Handle

    The part of a tool you hold with your hand.

  3. Unsure

    Not feeling confident or certain about something.

  4. Promised

    Said that you would definitely do something.

  5. Blocking

    Stopping something from moving through a place.

  6. Trusting

    Believing that someone or something is honest or reliable.

  7. Attached

    Connected or fastened something to something else.

  8. Iron

    A strong, hard metal used to make tools.

  9. Blade

    The flat, sharp part of a tool or weapon.

  10. Downfall

    The loss of power, success, or happiness.

Understanding Questions
  1. Why did the man go into the forest?

    1. To find food
    2. To escape danger
    3. To seek help
    4. To explore
  2. What did the man ask the trees for?

    1. Shade
    2. Wood
    3. Water
    4. Advice
  3. How did the trees feel when the man first asked for their help?

    1. Happy
    2. Angry
    3. Surprised
    4. Indifferent
  4. What did the man do after he made the handle for his axe?

    1. Chopped wood
    2. Built a house
    3. Left the forest
    4. Thanked the trees
  5. What lesson did the trees learn after helping the man?

    1. Trust is important
    2. Helping is rewarding
    3. People are selfish
    4. Nature is powerful
  1. Why did the man go into the forest?
  2. What did the man ask the trees for?
  3. How did the trees feel when the man first asked for their help?
  4. What did the man do after he made the handle for his axe?
  5. What lesson did the trees learn after helping the man?
  1. Why did the man go into the forest?
  2. What did the man ask the trees for?
  3. How did the trees feel when the man first asked for their help?
  4. What did the man do after he made the handle for his axe?
  5. What lesson did the trees learn after helping the man?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why did the trees decide to help the man?
  2. How do you think the trees felt when they realized the man had deceived them?
  3. Can you think of a situation where someone's trust was taken advantage of?
  4. What does this story teach us about trust, caution, and understanding the possible outcomes of our actions?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story in our own lives to be careful about whom we trust and the potential consequences of our decisions?
Fable Quotes
Trust wisely, for some masks are worn to hide deceit.
Beware the sweet words that dance upon deceitful tongues.
The seeds of our choices bear the fruits of our destiny.
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