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.
Audio available for B1 version
English
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.
EnglishYou can listen and read. Read along is not available for this story yet.
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 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
Forest
Place with many trees and plants.Tall
Very high, reaching up a lot.Axe
A tool used to cut trees.Build
To make something by putting things together.Home
A place where people live.Important
Very special and needed by people.Listen
To hear and pay attention to sound.Proud
Feeling very good about something you did.Danger
When something bad might happen.Safe
Not in danger, protected from harm.
Forest
A large area filled with trees.Roots
The parts of a plant that are underground.Useful
Able to help with a task.Build
To make something by putting parts together.Notices
Sees or pays attention to something.Rustling
Making a soft, light sound like leaves.Calmly
In a peaceful and relaxed manner.Tools
Objects used to make or fix things.Chopped
Cut into pieces with a sharp tool.Proud
Feeling pleased about something you did.
Robust
Strong and healthy, not weak or frail.Arrogance
Thinking you are better than others.Valuable
Worth a lot or very important.Construct
To build something, like houses or buildings.Desires
Wants or wishes for something strongly.Rustling
Soft, light sounds made by things moving.Wield
To hold and use a tool or weapon.Pang
A sudden sharp feeling of pain.Overlook
To fail to notice something or someone.Significance
The importance or meaning of something.
Sprawling
Spreading out over a large area.Majestically
In a way that looks very grand or impressive.Occasional
Happening sometimes, not often.Personality
The way someone acts, thinks, or feels.Demand
When many people want something.Miniature
Very small in size.Timber
Wood that is used for building.Lumberjack
A person who cuts down trees for wood.Visible
Able to be seen.Confidence
Feeling sure about what you can do.
Mighty
Very strong and powerful.Sprouting
Beginning to grow out from something.Glee
A feeling of great happiness.Ignore
To not pay attention to someone or something.Soft
Gentle and easy to touch or move.Swing
To move something back and forth.Hack
To cut something with heavy blows.Fearful
Feeling scared or worried.Lumberjack
A person who cuts down trees.Humble
Not proud; modest and simple.
Understanding Questions
- Where does the story take place?
- In a park
- In a big forest
- In a garden
- In a city
- What is the name of the big tree?
- Oak
- Maple
- Fir
- Pine
- What is the small plant called?
- Rose
- Fern
- Daisy
- Bramble
- Why does Fir Tree feel proud?
- Because it is small
- Because it is big and strong
- Because it is colorful
- Because it is old
- What does Bramble say about being small?
- It is boring to be small.
- It is fun to be small.
- It is safe to be small.
- It is scary to be small.
- What did the Fir Tree think about the Bramble at the beginning of the story?
- How did the Fir Tree feel when it talked to the Bramble?
- What did the Bramble say about the tools humans use?
- Why did the Fir Tree feel afraid after talking to the Bramble?
- What did the Bramble say was better than being a big tree?
- What was the Fir Tree's initial attitude towards the Bramble, and how did it express this attitude?
- How did the Bramble respond to the Fir Tree's remarks about its perceived superiority?
- What realization did the Fir Tree have after hearing the Bramble's perspective on human tools?
- In what way does the Bramble argue that its small size is advantageous compared to the Fir Tree's height?
- How does the Fir Tree's fear reflect a change in its understanding of value and safety?
Reflection Questions
- Why do you think the Fir Tree initially felt it was superior to the Bramble?
- How did the Bramble make the Fir Tree understand its point of view?
- 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?
- What does this story teach us about the value of humility and understanding different perspectives?
- 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.