Aesop | Greece

The Disdainful Horse

A proud Horse mocks a slow Ass, but later finds himself old and doing the same work he once ridiculed.

An aging horse pulling a heavy cart, doing the same work he once mocked in a donkey

Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, there was a fancy horse who loved to show off. He wore shiny, pretty clothes and walked around proudly. One day, he saw a donkey carrying a heavy load on a busy road. The donkey was moving slowly, trying to get out of the horse's way.

"Move out of my way, slowpoke!" the horse said with a snooty voice. "I might kick you because you're so slow!" The donkey didn't say anything. He just looked at the sky and hoped that one day things would be fair.

As time went by, the horse grew old and tired. He wasn't strong anymore, and his owner sent him to work on the farm. One day, the donkey saw the horse pulling a cart full of dirty stuff. The horse didn't look proud anymore, and he didn't have his fancy clothes.

The donkey chuckled and said, "Where are your pretty clothes now? You used to be so proud, but now you're doing the same work you made fun of me for."

At that moment, the horse felt sad and sorry. He realized that he had been wrong to make fun of the donkey. Now, he was doing the same job he had once laughed at.

Once upon a time, in a land that really could have used a map, there was a Horse who thought he was the coolest thing on four legs. Imagine him with super shiny horseshoes and a mane that looked like it got brushed every single day. His ego was bigger than a big red barn.

"Make way, make way for me!" he'd neigh as he trotted by. "I'm the coolest Horse around!"

One sunny day, Horse happened upon an Ass, who was carrying a ton of veggies down a crowded road. So slow, he made a snail look like a race car.

"Hey, Ass! Hurry up!" Horse danced around him. "I have places to go, and people to wow! If you're not quick, I'll show you my super kick!"

The Ass just sighed, looked up at the sky, and muttered, "Maybe one day things will be fair, and I'll get to do something exciting while Horse here learns what hard work is."

Years flew by, and Horse wasn't the talk of the town anymore. All his sparkle faded away. He found himself pulling carts full of, well, let's just call it 'leftover food,' on a farm.

One day, Ass strolls by and spots Horse struggling. He couldn't help but laugh a laugh so big, it would make you snort a little.

"Hey, Horse, you're not looking so flashy anymore, huh?" Ass said. "What happened to your fancy walk and your superstar attitude? You used to act like you were better than me, but now you’re pulling a cart full of... is that stinky stuff?"

Horse paused, his face turning red. He finally got it.

"Wow, I'm the joke now, aren't I?" Horse said, looking really sorry for himself. "Life sure has a funny way of flipping things around."

Ass grinned, "Yep, you got it. One day you're the coolest, and the next, you're just like the rest of us, working hard and getting dirty."

And just like that, Horse learned a big lesson: Being proud and showy doesn't make you better than anyone else. Sometimes, it might just make you end up pulling a cart of stinky leftovers.

Beyond the bustling town’s clear brook,
Lived a Horse with a proud, grand look.
Decked in finery, shining so bright,
He'd prance around, basking in the light.

One day, on a path, clear and free,
The Ass trudged, laden as can be.
“Move, slow Ass, out of my spree,
Or my hooves might kick, so heed my plea."

But the Ass just sighed, eyes on the sky,
Dreaming of fairness, by and by.
Years passed by, and the Horse did age,
His fancy attire, no longer the rage.

On farm fields he worked, grace now sparse,
Dragging muck, life’s challenging farce.
By trotted the Ass, chuckling to see,
The Horse, humbled, as humble can be.

"Remember the days, you'd parade in glee?"
The Ass teased, "Look where you came to be."
The Horse felt the sting, remorse in his heart,
Promised to be kind, making a fresh start.

Word Finder

Fancy
Expensive and decorative, looking very special.
Show off
Act proudly to get attention from others.
Snooty
Acting superior or better than others.
Load
Heavy things that need to be carried.
Proudly
Feeling happy about oneself or achievements.
Slowpoke
Someone who moves slower than others.
Fair
When things are equal and just for everyone.
Owner
A person who has or controls something.
Chuckled
Laughed quietly or softly to oneself.
Realized
Understood something suddenly or became aware of it.

Ego:
How someone feels about themselves, often exaggerated.
Neigh:
The sound that a horse makes, like a loud call.
Trotted:
Moved quickly, but not as fast as running.
Veggies:
Short for vegetables, healthy plants people eat.
Muttered:
Spoke quietly, often in frustration or disappointment.
Sparkle:
A bright and shiny look that catches attention.
Leftover:
What remains after something has been used or eaten.
Strolls:
Walks in a slow, relaxed way without hurry.
Flashy:
Something that is bright, fancy, or trying to get attention.
Flipping:
Completely changing, turning upside down or reversing.

Bustling:
Full of activity, busy with movement or sound.
Prance:
Move in a lively, bouncing way with pride.
Laden:
Carrying a heavy load or burden.
Spree:
A short period of exciting, energetic activity.
Heed:
Pay attention to advice or a warning.
Sighed:
Breathed out deeply, often from sadness or relief.
Fairness:
Treating everyone equally and without favoritism.
Grace:
Smoothness and beauty in movement or manner.
Farce:
A situation that is ridiculous or absurdly unfair.
Remorse:
Feeling of regret or guilt for a past action.

Understanding Questions

What did the horse like to do when he was young?
1. Play with other horses
2. Eat grass
3. Run in the fields
4. Sleep all day
How did the horse treat the donkey when he saw him on the road?
1. Ignored him
2. Helped him
3. Laughed at him
4. Invited him to play
What happened to the horse as he grew older?
1. He became slower
2. He got stronger
3. He learned to trot
4. He retired
How did the donkey react when he saw the horse pulling a cart?
1. He was jealous
2. He was happy
3. He helped him
4. He ran away
What lesson did the horse learn by the end of the story?
1. To be kind
2. To work hard
3. To stay humble
4. To enjoy life

What did the horse like to do when he was young?
How did the horse treat the donkey when he saw him on the road?
What happened to the horse as he grew older?
How did the donkey react when he saw the horse pulling a cart?
What lesson did the horse learn by the end of the story?

What did the horse like to do when he was young?
How did the horse treat the donkey when he saw him on the road?
What happened to the horse as he grew older?
How did the donkey react when he saw the horse pulling a cart?
What lesson did the horse learn by the end of the story?

Reflection Questions

Why do you think the Horse liked to show off and was mean to the Ass at the beginning?
How did the Horse's life change as he got older and why?
Can you think of a time when someone's behavior changed when their situation changed, like the Horse's did?
What does this story teach us about the importance of treating everyone with respect, no matter their job or role?
How can we use the lesson from this story in our own lives to treat everyone kindly and fairly, no matter what they do?

Fable Quotes

Pride in appearances can tarnish, true dignity comes from humility within.

The wheel of time humbles all, it's best to start humble.

No job is too small; respect all work equally.

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Other Info

The Disdainful Horse

Feedback

Fancy

Show off

Snooty

Load

Proudly

Slowpoke

Fair

Owner

Chuckled

Realized

Ego:

Neigh:

Trotted:

Veggies:

Muttered:

Sparkle:

Leftover:

Strolls:

Flashy:

Flipping:

Bustling:

Prance:

Laden:

Spree:

Heed:

Sighed:

Fairness:

Grace:

Farce:

Remorse: