1. The Race That Surprised Everyone
There was a time when a rabbit could run faster than the wind, and he loved to show everyone how quickly he could go. He would zoom by the other animals, create a posture, and exclaim, “I bet you wish you had legs like these!”
What was his favourite target? A tortoise who crawled slower than syrup on a cold day.
“Race me,” the rabbit said one morning. “Let’s put on a show for the crowd!”
The turtle looked up, as serene as ever. “Okay,” he said. “Let’s do it.”
The animals in the forest came together to cheer and talk. Someone murmured, “This will be over in a flash.”
“Get set… go!”
The rabbit shot ahead in a whirl of fur. He was miles ahead in no time. He was so tired that he saw a shady tree and thought, “I’ll take a nap.” The tortoise won’t be able to catch up.
The tortoise, on the other hand, kept going. Step by step, slowly. Shh. Concentrated.
He couldn’t believe his eyes as the rabbit woke up, stretched and ran to the finish line.
The turtle was already there. Relax. Waiting.
Lesson: It’s fun to be fast, but staying focused will get you further than showing off will.
2. The Dog Who Wanted More
A dirty dog walked across town with its tail wagging when it saw a butcher’s bone. Jackpot!
He took it and ran off to enjoy his prize. He looked down at the lake as he walked across a wooden bridge.
And there it was: a reflection of another dog with a bone that appeared much bigger.
He growled and barked because he was greedy and wanted to scare the “other dog” away.
But as he opened his lips, splash! His bone dropped right into the river and was carried away by the stream.
Gone. Just like that.
Lesson: If you always want more, you could lose what you already have.
3. The Crow with a Plan
The sun was burning, and a crow flew from tree to tree, thirsty and anxious for a drink.
Then she saw a pot with some water in the bottom. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t reach it.
She didn’t give up; instead, she searched around.
Pebbles.
She started to drop them in, one at a time.
Clink, clink, clink…
The water rose with each pebble, until it was barely high enough for her to taste.
She tilted her head back and felt the cold relief.
Lesson: Smart thinking and patience can frequently fix things that panic can’t.
4. Lazy John’s Missed Snack
Not only was John lazy, but he was known for it. “Why do today what you might not be able to do at all?” was his credo.
One afternoon, he observed several apples hanging from a tree. Ready. Red. Perfect.
His stomach growled.
He flopped under the tree instead of getting up. He yawned and remarked, “Maybe the wind will knock one down.”
Hours went by. No apple.
Birds came, pecked a few things, and then left.
John’s stomach was still empty when the sun went down.
Lesson: Good things don’t usually come to you. You have to get up and reach sometimes.
5. The Fox and the Grapes
The fox hadn’t eaten anything all day. Then he saw them: big, delicious grapes hanging just above a high tree.
His mouth watered.
He leaped. Not there. Jumped up and down. Again, missed.
He gave it a go with a stick. A lot of rocks. Nothing yet.
He was panting and sore, so he said, “They’re probably sour anyway,” and ran off.
But deep inside, he knew he wanted them. He just didn’t want to say he had failed.
Don’t act like something isn’t worth it simply because it’s hard to get to.
6. The Grasshopper’s Regret
The ant marched back and forth all summer, transporting seeds, storing leaves, and making a snug nest.
The grasshopper? He danced and strummed his legs like a guitar. “Come on, Ant!” It’s a long way until winter!
But when winter came, everything was quiet and white. Under a leaf, the grasshopper shook.
He knocked on the door of the ant.
The ant gave up a piece of food and a warm place to sit. But the grasshopper’s smile went away.
Lesson: Playing is fun. But planning beforehand keeps you warm when the music stops.
7. The Boy Who Played Too Much
A shepherd lad stood on the hill, bored and up to no good, observing his sheep and… moaning. Nothing exciting. Not pleasant.
He yelled, “Wolf!” My sheep are being attacked by a wolf!
People from the village came running. No wolf.
They departed angry.
He did it again. The same thing happened.
The third time, when a real wolf stole in from the darkness and he shouted in fear, no one arrived.
He couldn’t do anything when the wolf scared his lambs away.
Lesson: A minor falsehood can make a wall that no one can hear through, even while you’re telling the truth.
8. The Duckling Who Grew Into Himself
There was a lot of golden fluff and quacking delight in the barnyard, but one little duckling stuck out. He was taller, grayer, awkward.
The other kids made fun of him. They yelled, “Ugly!”
He went into hiding. Wandered. The seasons went by.
One spring morning, he looked at himself in a calm pond. Feathers that are smooth. Neck that is long. Grace.
A swan looked back.
He wasn’t ugly. He was simply growing.
Lesson: You don’t bloom all at once. Time shows how beautiful you are.
9. The Lion Who Remembered Kindness
A man ran away from abuse and ended up in the woods, where he came face to face with a lion whose paw was injured from a thorn.
The man shook as he came closer and carefully drew it out.
The lion walked away slowly, without saying a word.
Years later, they caught the man and made him face a wild lion as punishment.
When the gates opened, the lion walked forward… and instead of attacking, it nuzzled his hand.
The same lion.
Lesson: One act of kindness can speak louder than fear.
10. The Elephant Who Learned Respect
The elephant was in charge of the waterhole. Large. Proud. He’d throw water on the smaller creatures, laugh at the ants, and stomp on plants without a concern.
“Be careful, little legs!” He’d yell.
But the ants were done.
One day, they crawled up his thigh, up his back, and into his ears.
The elephant trumpeted in fear, stomping and shaking.
He asked them to stop.
Yes, they did, but only after he pledged to be nice to everyone.
No one is too tiny to make a difference, and no one is too big to be reminded.
