The Eagle and The Arrow
A strong Eagle was shot down, discovered its own feather on the arrow, realizing the unintentional contribution to its downfall.
Once, there was a very strong Eagle that flew high in the bright blue sky. Suddenly, it heard a fast-moving sound, followed by a sharp pain. Someone had shot an Arrow at the Eagle, and as a result, it started to fall towards the ground.
Feeling weak and in pain, the Eagle landed on the ground. It had lost a lot of its strength because of the deep wound caused by the Arrow. While lying on the ground, the Eagle saw something surprising.
The shaft of the Arrow had a feather attached to it, and it was not just any feather, but one of the Eagle's own feathers. The Eagle was both surprised and saddened to see this.
In its last moments, the Eagle said, "It is very sad that we can unintentionally provide our enemies with the tools to harm us." After saying that, the Eagle closed its eyes and took its final breath.
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Reflection Questions
- Why do you think the Eagle felt sad when it noticed its own feather on the arrow?
- What does the Eagle's quote, "It is very sad that we can unintentionally provide our enemies with the tools to harm us" mean to you?
- Can you think of a time when you unknowingly gave someone the means to hurt you, like the Eagle did with its feather?
- What lesson does this story teach us about being careful with what we share or give away?
- How can we apply the lesson from this story in our everyday lives to be more cautious?
Fable Quotes
Unintended actions may grant our adversaries the means to harm us—wisdom lies in guarding our vulnerabilities.
Caution guards us against unwittingly empowering those who may cause us harm.
Be mindful of the unintended gifts you provide, for they may become tools in the hands of others.
Just One More Fable
- Value
- Patience
The Farmer and The Apple Tree
A farmer wanted to cut down a barren apple tree but changed his mind after finding a hidden honey treasure.
- Resourcefulness
- Wisdom
The Fox and The Sick Lion
A sick lion tricked animals into his cave, but a clever fox refused to enter, avoiding the lion's trap.
- Consequences
- Understanding
The Donkey and His Shadow
A man hired an Donkey for his journey, but a dispute over its shadow resulted in a fight, causing them to lose the Donkey.
- Empathy
- Understanding
The Horse and The Groom
A dedicated groom cared for a horse's appearance but neglected its nourishment until the horse urged him to prioritize feeding over grooming.