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.
Once upon a time, there was a farmer who had a big apple tree in his garden. The tree was always full of leaves but never grew any apples. It was a home for sparrows who sang in its branches and grasshoppers who jumped around its base. After many years of seeing the tree without fruit, the farmer decided it was time to cut it down.
He went to his shed, took his sharp axe, and walked to the tree. Just as he lifted his axe to chop the tree at its roots, the sparrows and grasshoppers started to make a lot of noise. "Please don't destroy our home," they begged. "Allow us to stay, and we will make your days joyful with our songs and dances."
However, the farmer ignored their requests and began to chop. He swung the axe down once, twice, three times with great force. As he got ready for another swing, he noticed something strange. Inside a hollow part of the tree, there was a hive full of sweet, golden honey.
Curious, the farmer tasted the honey and found it delicious, better than anything he had ever tasted. Happy and surprised, he put down his axe and decided not to cut down the tree. From that day on, he took care of the tree, grateful for its gift. The tree stayed tall, providing a home for its singing and jumping friends.
Audio available for B1 version
Once upon a time, there was a farmer who had a big apple tree in his garden.
The tree was always full of leaves but never grew any apples.
It was a home for sparrows who sang in its branches and grasshoppers who jumped around its base.
After many years of seeing the tree without fruit, the farmer decided it was time to cut it down.
He went to his shed, took his sharp axe, and walked to the tree.
Just as he lifted his axe to chop the tree at its roots, the sparrows and grasshoppers started to make a lot of noise.
"Please don't destroy our home," they begged.
"Allow us to stay, and we will make your days joyful with our songs and dances."
However, the farmer ignored their requests and began to chop.
He swung the axe down once, twice, three times with great force.
As he got ready for another swing, he noticed something strange.
Inside a hollow part of the tree, there was a hive full of sweet, golden honey.
Curious, the farmer tasted the honey and found it delicious, better than anything he had ever tasted.
Happy and surprised, he put down his axe and decided not to cut down the tree.
From that day on, he took care of the tree, grateful for its gift.
The tree stayed tall, providing a home for its singing and jumping friends.
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Word Finder
Farmer
A person who grows plants and raises animals.Garden
A place where plants are grown and cared for.Branches
Long parts of a tree where leaves grow.Decided
Made a choice after thinking about something.Sharp
Very thin edge that cuts easily.Destroy
Completely ruin or end something.Requests
Asking for something politely or formally.Force
Strength or power used to move something.Strange
Something that is unusual or unexpected.Grateful
Feeling thankful and happy for something.
Understanding Questions
- Why did the farmer decide to cut down the apple tree?
- Who lived in the apple tree and begged the farmer not to destroy it?
- What did the farmer find inside the tree that made him change his mind about cutting it down?
- How did the farmer feel about the honey he tasted from the tree?
- What did the farmer decide to do with the tree after discovering the honey?
Reflection Questions
- Why do you think the farmer initially wanted to cut down the apple tree?
- How did the sparrows and grasshoppers react when the farmer was about to cut the tree, and why?
- Can you remember a time when something or someone turned out to be more valuable than you first thought, similar to the farmer's discovery of honey in the tree?
- What does this story teach us about the importance of patience and not making hasty decisions?
- Can you think of ways we could apply the lessons from this story to our everyday life?
Fable Quotes
The sweetest treasures lie hidden, waiting for those with eyes to see and hearts to appreciate.
In the depths of the unexpected lies a treasure of immeasurable value.
Patience unveils hidden treasures, rewarding those who wait and see beyond what meets the eye.
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