The Mouse and the Bull

A bull accidentally steps on a mouse's tail, prompting the mouse to seek revenge, but it fails, realizing arguing is pointless.

Once upon a time, in a small village by a beautiful lake, there lived a big, friendly bull. This bull liked to drink water from the lake when he was thirsty.

One bright and sunny day, the bull went to the lake to drink some water. As he got close to the water, he accidentally stepped on the tail of a tiny mouse who was resting nearby.

The mouse squealed in pain and quickly stood up, looking angrily at the bull. Seeing his tail hurt, the mouse became very angry and decided to get back at the bull.

The mouse climbed onto the bull's back and started biting him with his sharp teeth. But the bull, who was enjoying the cool lake water, didn’t feel the small bites and didn't know the mouse was there.

After a while, the mouse got tired of biting and jumped off the bull's back. He stood in front of the bull and showed him the hurt tail, explaining the pain the bull had caused.

The bull was surprised to hear this and asked if he had really stepped on the mouse's tail. When he understood what had happened, he said he was sorry for causing pain without knowing.

The mouse, feeling sad, went home in pain, realizing it was no use to fight with the bull.

A mouse shaking its fist at a bull that has just stepped on its tail
Text Version
Levels A1B1C1

Audio available for B1 version

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Word Finder
  1. Village

    A small group of houses in the countryside.
  2. Thirsty

    Feeling a need to drink some water.
  3. Nearby

    Close to a place or thing.
  4. Accidentally

    Not done on purpose, by mistake.
  5. Squealed

    Made a loud, high-pitched cry of pain.
  6. Quickly

    Moving fast or in a short time.
  7. Angrily

    Feeling or showing anger or annoyance.
  8. Sharp

    Having a point or edge that can cut.
  9. Enjoying

    Taking pleasure or happiness from something.
  10. Explaining

    Telling someone clearly about something so they understand.
Understanding Questions
  1. What did the bull enjoy doing at the lake?
  2. How did the bull accidentally hurt the mouse?
  3. What did the mouse do to get back at the bull?
  4. How did the bull react when the mouse showed him the hurt tail?
  5. What did the mouse realize at the end of the story?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why did the mouse decide to seek revenge on the bull?
  2. How did the mouse try to make the bull feel his pain? Did it work?
  3. Can you remember a time when you tried to make someone understand your feelings, but it didn't work?
  4. What does this story teach us about communication and understanding other's feelings?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story in our lives to manage our feelings and reactions when we feel wronged or hurt?
Fable Quotes

In forgiveness, we find the path away from the pointless cycle of revenge.

Understanding is the key that unlocks the door to compassion and empathy.

Understanding another's pain, even unintentionally caused, opens the path for empathy to heal hearts.

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