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The Fir Tree and the Bramble

Proud Fir Tree belittles Bramble, boasting its value as timber, but Bramble reveals its safety and contentment over constant fear.

A tall, proud fir tree towering over a humble, thorny bramble bush

Audio available for B1 version

Text Version
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In a big forest, there is a tall tree. The tree's name is Fir. Near the Fir Tree, there is a small plant. The plant's name is Bramble.

Fir Tree says, "I am big and strong. People use me to build homes. Everyone wants me. Nobody sees you, Bramble."

Bramble listens. Then, Bramble says, "People use axes to cut big trees like you. They do not cut small plants like me."

Fir Tree feels scared. Fir Tree never thinks about being cut down. Fir Tree always feels proud to be big and important.

Bramble says, "I am small and safe. You are big and in danger. It is better to be small and safe."

Once upon a time, in a big forest, there was a tall and strong tree called the Fir Tree. Near its roots, there was a small plant called the Bramble. The Fir Tree often looked down on the Bramble, thinking it was much better.

One day, the Fir Tree said in a mean voice, "You're not as useful as me. People use me to build their homes. Everyone wants me, but nobody notices you."

The Bramble, with its small, rustling leaves, listened quietly. After a moment, it replied calmly.

"You may be tall and strong," the Bramble said, "but have you ever thought about the tools humans use? They use axes and saws to cut down big trees like you. They usually ignore small plants like me."

The Fir Tree suddenly felt afraid. It had never thought about being chopped down. It had always been proud of its size and importance.

"If I were you," the Bramble added, "I would rather be small and safe than big and in danger. Being a Bramble, safe on the ground, seems much better than being a Fir Tree that might be cut down one day."

In a vast forest, there stood a tall and robust Fir Tree. Close to its roots, there was a small plant known as the Bramble. The Fir Tree often looked down upon the Bramble, believing itself to be far superior.

One day, with a tone of arrogance, the Fir Tree said, “You are not as valuable as I am. People use my wood to construct their homes. Everyone desires me, but nobody pays attention to you.”

The Bramble, with its small, rustling leaves, listened patiently. After a moment, it responded calmly.

“You may be tall and strong,” the Bramble said, “but have you ever considered the tools that humans use? They wield axes and saws to cut down grand trees like you. They usually overlook small plants like me.”

The Fir Tree suddenly felt a pang of fear. It had never considered the possibility of being chopped down. It had always taken pride in its size and significance.

“If I were you,” the Bramble continued, “I would rather be small and safe than large and at risk. Being a Bramble, safe on the ground, seems much better than being a Fir Tree that might be cut down one day.”

In a sprawling forest of endless gossip and occasional drama, there was the Fir Tree. Majestically tall and the sort to drop a leaf just for attention. And right at his feet, a little plant known as Bramble, who might've been small but packed a punch of personality.

Fir Tree, casting a shade and a smirk, leaned down. "Hey Bramble! How’s the weather down there? Bet you wish you were as tall and in demand as me. They want ME for their homes. You? Maybe for a... miniature garden?"

Bramble, rustling its leaves in mock laughter, replied, "Oh, Fir Tree, ever hear of low profile luxury? Humans come with their shiny tools - oh, what are they called again? Ah, yes, axes and saws. They absolutely adore trees like you for... well, timber. Me? I'm just here, living the chill life, not attracting any lumberjack attention."

Fir Tree’s branches sagged a little. "They have axes? And saws? Why am I just hearing about this?"

With the confidence only a shrub can have, Bramble said, "Sometimes, my friend, it's better to be the under-shrub. Maybe you're tall and visible, but I'd rather be small and sassy, out of the danger zone."

The Fir Tree paused, thinking. "Okay, point taken. But, you know, if you ever fancy a change of scene, just holler. I can always arrange for a bird to drop you somewhere... higher?"

Bramble chuckled, "Cute offer, but I'm cozy down here. Keep an eye out from up there, big guy. And watch out for those axes!"

Standing tall with pride and glee,
Was the mighty Fir Tree.
Near its roots, without a doubt,
A Bramble grew, sprouting out.

The Fir, with a voice full of glee,
Said, "Oh Bramble, look at me!
For houses, they want my wood,
While you're ignored, as you should."

But the Bramble, with soft leaves that sway,
Had something very wise to say.
"You may be tall, strong, and free,
But have you thought of the axe, the tree's enemy?"

"For trees like you, they swing and hack,
But for me, they never look back.
While you're chosen for your height and might,
I remain, out of their sight."

The Fir's pride began to drop,
Fearful of the lumberjack’s chop.
The Bramble said, with eyes cast down,
"It's better to be low than wear a crown."

"Being humble, without the shine,
Is better than a towering pine.
For in the whispers, soft and weak,
Lies a strength not all can seek."

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Word Finder
  1. Forest

    Place with many trees and plants.
  2. Tall

    Very high, reaching up a lot.
  3. Axe

    A tool used to cut trees.
  4. Build

    To make something by putting things together.
  5. Home

    A place where people live.
  6. Important

    Very special and needed by people.
  7. Listen

    To hear and pay attention to sound.
  8. Proud

    Feeling very good about something you did.
  9. Danger

    When something bad might happen.
  10. Safe

    Not in danger, protected from harm.
  1. Forest

    A large area filled with trees.
  2. Roots

    The parts of a plant that are underground.
  3. Useful

    Able to help with a task.
  4. Build

    To make something by putting parts together.
  5. Notices

    Sees or pays attention to something.
  6. Rustling

    Making a soft, light sound like leaves.
  7. Calmly

    In a peaceful and relaxed manner.
  8. Tools

    Objects used to make or fix things.
  9. Chopped

    Cut into pieces with a sharp tool.
  10. Proud

    Feeling pleased about something you did.
  1. Robust

    Strong and healthy, not weak or frail.
  2. Arrogance

    Thinking you are better than others.
  3. Valuable

    Worth a lot or very important.
  4. Construct

    To build something, like houses or buildings.
  5. Desires

    Wants or wishes for something strongly.
  6. Rustling

    Soft, light sounds made by things moving.
  7. Wield

    To hold and use a tool or weapon.
  8. Pang

    A sudden sharp feeling of pain.
  9. Overlook

    To fail to notice something or someone.
  10. Significance

    The importance or meaning of something.
  1. Sprawling

    Spreading out over a large area.
  2. Majestically

    In a way that looks very grand or impressive.
  3. Occasional

    Happening sometimes, not often.
  4. Personality

    The way someone acts, thinks, or feels.
  5. Demand

    When many people want something.
  6. Miniature

    Very small in size.
  7. Timber

    Wood that is used for building.
  8. Lumberjack

    A person who cuts down trees for wood.
  9. Visible

    Able to be seen.
  10. Confidence

    Feeling sure about what you can do.
  1. Mighty

    Very strong and powerful.
  2. Sprouting

    Beginning to grow out from something.
  3. Glee

    A feeling of great happiness.
  4. Ignore

    To not pay attention to someone or something.
  5. Soft

    Gentle and easy to touch or move.
  6. Swing

    To move something back and forth.
  7. Hack

    To cut something with heavy blows.
  8. Fearful

    Feeling scared or worried.
  9. Lumberjack

    A person who cuts down trees.
  10. Humble

    Not proud; modest and simple.
Understanding Questions
  1. Where does the story take place?
    1. In a park
    2. In a big forest
    3. In a garden
    4. In a city
  2. What is the name of the big tree?
    1. Oak
    2. Maple
    3. Fir
    4. Pine
  3. What is the small plant called?
    1. Rose
    2. Fern
    3. Daisy
    4. Bramble
  4. Why does Fir Tree feel proud?
    1. Because it is small
    2. Because it is big and strong
    3. Because it is colorful
    4. Because it is old
  5. What does Bramble say about being small?
    1. It is boring to be small.
    2. It is fun to be small.
    3. It is safe to be small.
    4. It is scary to be small.
  1. What did the Fir Tree think about the Bramble at the beginning of the story?
  2. How did the Fir Tree feel when it talked to the Bramble?
  3. What did the Bramble say about the tools humans use?
  4. Why did the Fir Tree feel afraid after talking to the Bramble?
  5. What did the Bramble say was better than being a big tree?
  1. What was the Fir Tree's initial attitude towards the Bramble, and how did it express this attitude?
  2. How did the Bramble respond to the Fir Tree's remarks about its perceived superiority?
  3. What realization did the Fir Tree have after hearing the Bramble's perspective on human tools?
  4. In what way does the Bramble argue that its small size is advantageous compared to the Fir Tree's height?
  5. How does the Fir Tree's fear reflect a change in its understanding of value and safety?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the Fir Tree initially felt it was superior to the Bramble?
  2. How did the Bramble make the Fir Tree understand its point of view?
  3. Can you recall a situation when you thought something was better, but then realized that it had its own problems too, just like the Fir Tree?
  4. What does this story teach us about the value of humility and understanding different perspectives?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this fable in our daily life? Can you give an example?
Fable Quotes

Being grand brings attention, but also risk; remain humble, find peace.

What we see as small and weak, may be strong and safe.

To be small and secure is often better than being large and at risk.