The Dog in The Manger
A dog in the manger growls at the ox despite having no interest in the hay, until its owner scolds it for its selfishness.
Once upon a time, there was a dog who went to sleep in a manger full of hay. When an ox came to the manger to eat some hay, the dog growled and barked loudly. The ox was scared and couldn't eat any hay.
The dog didn't want to eat the hay either, but it didn't want the ox to have any. This went on for some time until the ox finally walked away, still hungry.
The dog stayed in the manger, lying on the hay it didn't need. It didn't want to share with anyone.
After a while, the farmer who owned the manger saw what was happening. He scolded the dog for being selfish. He said, "You don't need the hay, but you won't let others have it. You shouldn't stop others from using what you don't need!"
Feeling ashamed, the dog left the manger. Now, the other animals could finally eat the hay.
Audio available for B1 version
Once upon a time, there was a dog who went to sleep in a manger full of hay.
When an ox came to the manger to eat some hay, the dog growled and barked loudly.
The ox was scared and couldn't eat any hay.
The dog didn't want to eat the hay either, but it didn't want the ox to have any.
This went on for some time until the ox finally walked away, still hungry.
The dog stayed in the manger, lying on the hay it didn't need.
It didn't want to share with anyone.
After a while, the farmer who owned the manger saw what was happening.
He scolded the dog for being selfish.
He said, "You don't need the hay, but you won't let others have it.
You shouldn't stop others from using what you don't need!"
Feeling ashamed, the dog left the manger.
Now, the other animals could finally eat the hay.
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Word Finder
Manger
Place where animals' food is kept.Hay
Dried grass used to feed animals.Growled
Made a low, angry sound.Barked
Made a loud noise, like a dog.Scared
Feeling afraid or frightened.Finally
After a long time.Farmer
Person who works on a farm.Scolded
Spoke angrily to someone.Selfish
Caring only about yourself.Ashamed
Feeling bad for doing something wrong.
Understanding Questions
- Why did the dog go to sleep in the manger?
- What did the dog do when the ox came to eat the hay?
- Why couldn't the ox eat the hay?
- How did the farmer react when he saw what the dog was doing?
- What happened after the dog left the manger?
Reflection Questions
- Why do you think the dog didn't want the ox to eat the hay, even though he didn't want to eat it himself?
- How do you think the ox felt when the dog wouldn't let him eat the hay? How would you feel in the ox's place?
- Can you recall a time when you didn't want to share something, even though you weren't using it?
- What is the lesson that the dog learned from the owner of the manger and how does this lesson apply to our own lives?
- Why is it important to let others use things that we don't need? Can you think of a way you could share something you don't use often with someone who could benefit from it?
Fable Quotes
Don't keep what you don't need, for denying others is a selfish deed.
Sharing the unneeded is a simple act of generosity.
Don't guard what isn't yours; others may need it more.
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The Brahmin and the Cobra
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