The Lion Going to War
A lion assigns every animal a task to protect the forest, showing that everyone has a unique talent.
Once upon a time, a lion was planning something very important. He wanted to protect the forest from invaders who might try to take over their land. To do this, he called a big meeting with all the animals and asked them to help. Each animal had a special job to do.
The lion told the elephant, “You are strong. You will carry the heavy tools we need to build defenses around the forest.”
To the bear, he said, “You will help us by fighting bravely if there’s trouble.”
The fox was given a clever job. “You will make plans and tricks to confuse our enemies,” the lion said.
The monkey was told, “You will entertain and distract them with your funny tricks.”
But then someone spoke up. “What about the donkeys? They’re not smart. And the hares? They’re too scared and run away all the time!”
The lion shook his head. “No,” he said. “Everyone has a talent we can use. The donkey will be our trumpet. His loud braying will scare our enemies. And the hare? She’s fast! She will carry important messages back to us.”
The lion smiled and added, “A wise leader knows that everyone is important. Every creature has something special to offer.”
Audio available for B1 version
Once upon a time, a lion was planning something very important.
He wanted to protect the forest from invaders who might try to take over their land.
To do this, he called a big meeting with all the animals and asked them to help.
Each animal had a special job to do.
The lion told the elephant, “You are strong.
You will carry the heavy tools we need to build defenses around the forest.”
To the bear, he said, “You will help us by fighting bravely if there’s trouble.”
The fox was given a clever job.
“You will make plans and tricks to confuse our enemies,” the lion said.
The monkey was told, “You will entertain and distract them with your funny tricks.”
But then someone spoke up.
“What about the donkeys?
They’re not smart. And the hares?
They’re too scared and run away all the time!”
The lion shook his head. “No,” he said.
“Everyone has a talent we can use.
The donkey will be our trumpet.
His loud braying will scare our enemies. And the hare? She’s fast!
She will carry important messages back to us.”
The lion smiled and added, “A wise leader knows that everyone is important.
Every creature has something special to offer.”
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Word Finder
Planning
Thinking about how to do something important.Invaders
People or animals who enter and take over.Defenses
Things made to protect from harm or danger.Entertain
To make others happy by being funny or fun.Distract
To take someone’s attention away from something.Talent
A special skill or something you’re really good at.Trumpet
A loud sound made to signal or warn others.Braying
The loud, funny sound donkeys make.Messages
Words sent to tell someone important information.Leader
A person or animal who guides or helps others.
Understanding Questions
- Why did the lion call a meeting with all the animals?
- What job did the lion give to the elephant?
- How was the fox supposed to help in protecting the forest?
- Why did someone think the donkeys and hares couldn’t help?
- What did the lion say about everyone’s talents at the end of the story?
Reflection Questions
- Why did the lion believe that every animal in the forest had something important to offer?
- How did the lion use the donkey’s loud braying and the hare’s speed to help protect the forest?
- Can you think of a time when someone surprised you with a talent or skill you didn’t expect?
- Why do you think it’s important to appreciate everyone’s unique abilities, even if they seem small?
- What does this story teach us about teamwork and being a good leader?
Fable Quotes
Leadership is not about power, but about empowering others.
Together, everyone achieves more when they work as a team.
Every creature, no matter how small, has a role to play.
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