An Antidote
Story Summary
In "An Antidote," a young ostrich experiences severe stomach pain after consuming a whole keg of nails, leading to a humorous yet cautionary tale. Concerned for its health, the mother instructs the ostrich to swallow a claw-hammer as a remedy. This engaging moral story teaches kids the importance of making wise dietary choices, making it a perfect addition to short bedtime stories with moral lessons.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that poor choices can lead to painful consequences, and one must seek appropriate remedies to correct mistakes.
Historical Context
This story reflects a humorous and cautionary tone reminiscent of fables found in various cultures, particularly in Aesop's Fables, which often feature animals as characters to impart moral lessons. The absurdity of the situation—a young ostrich consuming nails—highlights themes of folly and the importance of guidance from elders. This type of narrative may originate from oral traditions that use animals to convey wisdom in a comedic manner, appealing to both children and adults.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable highlights the importance of making wise choices and the consequences of reckless behavior, which is highly relevant in today's world where impulsive decisions, especially regarding health and lifestyle, can have serious repercussions. For instance, consider a young adult who frequently opts for fast food over nutritious meals; over time, this habit could lead to significant health issues, prompting a mentor or parent to intervene with advice on healthier eating habits to avoid long-term damage.
You May Also Like
Mercury and the Woodchopper
In "Mercury and the Woodchopper," a woodchopper loses his axe in a deep pool and seeks help from Mercury, a thoughtless deity. As Mercury dives in to retrieve the axe, the surrounding trees become loosened and fall, illustrating an important lesson found in many inspirational short stories with moral themes: the consequences of impulsive actions. This tale is a part of the top 10 moral stories that teach children valuable lessons about patience and consideration.
The Lion in a Farmyard
In this entertaining moral story, a Farmer foolishly attempts to capture a Lion by shutting him in the farmyard, only to unleash chaos as the Lion attacks his sheep and oxen. In his panic, the Farmer releases the dangerous creature, lamenting his losses, while his wife rightfully scolds him for his reckless decision, illustrating a well-known moral lesson about the consequences of underestimating danger. This easy small story with moral serves as a cautionary tale for class 7 students about the importance of using wisdom when dealing with threats.
The Widow and Her Little Maidens
In this humorous tale from folklore, a cleanliness-obsessed widow wakes her two maidens at dawn, driving them to conspire against the rooster that crows at daybreak. However, their plan backfires when the widow begins to rouse them in the middle of the night, leading to even more trouble. This short moral story highlights the unintended consequences of seeking a quick solution, reminding readers that sometimes our actions can lead to greater challenges.
Other names for this story
Nail Biter, Ostrich's Plight, The Claw-Hammer Cure, Wings of Woe, The Painful Snack, A Mother's Remedy, Ostrich Antidote, Healing Wings
Did You Know?
This story humorously illustrates the theme of misguided choices and the consequences of poor decisions, using the absurdity of an ostrich consuming nails to highlight the importance of guidance and wisdom in nurturing young ones.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.