A Bat, Thorn Bush and Gull

A Bat, Thorn Bush, and Seagull started a business, but their ship sank, making the Bat hide, Seagull search, and Thorn Bush cling to fabric.

Once upon a time, a Bat, a Thorn Bush, and a Seagull decided to work together. They wanted to start a business to sell two things: fabric from the Thorn Bush and bronze from the Seagull. The Bat, being a very rich creature, offered to lend the money they needed to start their business.

They loaded a large ship with their precious fabric and bronze and set sail across the wide sea. But oh, how the sea can be cruel! A terrible storm brewed up one day, throwing their ship against the rough waves. Despite their best efforts, the ship sank, taking all their business materials with it.

After the shipwreck, each of the partners reacted in a different way. The Bat, scared of facing the people he owed money to because of the lost business, decided to hide during the day. He thought if he only came out at night, he wouldn't have to face the others and the money he owed.

The Seagull, being a brave bird, didn't lose hope. He flew over the vast sea every day, tirelessly searching for the bronze that was lost.

The Thorn Bush, on the other hand, stayed rooted on the shore. Any piece of fabric that the sea washed up, he caught with his thorny branches, hoping to recover some of what was lost.

Their loss had changed them, shaping their behavior. The Bat now loved the night, the Seagull became a sea explorer, and the Thorn Bush clung onto every fabric it could.

A bat hiding, a gull searching the shore, and a thorn bush clinging to scraps of fabric after their ship sinks
Text Version

Audio available for B1 version

Share

Feedback

Word Finder
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the Bat chose to hide at night instead of facing his problems?
  2. How did the Seagull show courage even after they lost everything in the storm?
  3. Why do you think the Thorn Bush stayed rooted on the shore, catching pieces of fabric?
  4. What does this story teach us about how different people respond to the same difficult situation?
  5. Can you think of a situation where you reacted like the Bat, the Seagull, or the Thorn Bush?
Fable Quotes

In changing tides, we learn to ride the waves or find a new shore.

Courage is the unwavering wing that soars above adversity, persisting in the pursuit of lost treasures.

In the face of loss, resourcefulness blooms, catching the fragments of hope with thorny branches.

Create your first playlist

A place for bedtime stories, classroom favourites, or a little reading practice.

New playlist

My Library

Your saved stories, ready when you are.

Your library will be available when account access is enabled.

Create your first playlist

A place for bedtime stories, classroom favourites, or a little reading practice.

New playlist

Welcome back!

Log in or sign up to save fables or add them to playlists.

Loading...