The Stag, The Wolf, and The Sheep
Hungry stag seeks wheat from cautious sheep, promising to return it with a sly wolf as guarantee, but wise sheep decline, aware of their mischievous nature.
Once upon a time in a peaceful forest, there lived a sleek stag, a sly wolf, and a cautious sheep. The three were quite different and had their own ways of life.
One day, the stag wandered to the sheep's pasture. He was hungry and his usual meal of forest leaves and berries were scarce. He turned to the sheep and asked if he could borrow a measure of wheat. The stag made his case, explaining his hunger and promising to return the borrowed wheat. As assurance, he presented the wolf as his guarantee.
The sheep was worried. She knew that the wolf was often naughty, taking things without asking and running away. She also knew the stag was very fast. She could never catch up if he decided to run away.
She asked the stag, "You run really fast, and the wolf is very sneaky. If you run away or if the wolf doesn't keep his promise, how will I find you when it's time to give back the wheat?"
And so, the sheep showed that she was smart and careful. She knew it might not be a good idea to lend the wheat, because of how the stag and the wolf usually acted.
Audio available for B1 version
Once upon a time, in a quiet forest, there lived a sleek stag, a clever wolf, and a careful sheep.
They were all very different and had their own way of living.
One day, the stag wandered into the sheep’s field.
He was hungry, and the usual leaves and berries he ate were hard to find.
He asked the sheep if he could borrow some wheat.
He promised he would give it back and said the wolf would guarantee his promise.
The sheep was nervous.
She knew the wolf could be tricky, taking things without asking and running away.
She also knew the stag was very fast, and if he ran away, she could never catch him.
The sheep asked, "You are very fast, and the wolf is sneaky.
If you don’t return the wheat or if the wolf breaks the promise, how will I get it back?"
The sheep showed she was smart and careful.
She knew it might not be safe to lend the wheat, because of how the stag and the wolf usually behaved.
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Reflection Questions
- Why do you think the Sheep was hesitant to lend wheat to the Stag, despite his promise?
- What does the Sheep's question to the Stag tell us about her?
- Can you think of a time when you were careful like the Sheep, not making a decision immediately?
- What does this story teach us about trust and understanding others' behavior?
- How can the lesson from this story help us when someone asks us for something important?
Fable Quotes
Beware the allure of false promises, for deceit lurks behind the cloak of borrowed trust.
Trust is earned by actions, not words; a history of truth tells more than a promise.
Be cautious in your dealings, for not all who promise repayment have the means to fulfill it.
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