The Bull and the Calf

Story Summary
In "The Bull and the Calf," a classic short moral story, an experienced Bull struggles to navigate a narrow passage to his stall. When a young Calf offers to help, the Bull arrogantly dismisses him, claiming he knows the way better than the Calf, highlighting a timeless lesson about the value of humility and accepting guidance. This tale serves as an engaging example of moral stories for young readers, teaching important life lessons.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
Experience often knows the way better than youthful enthusiasm.
Historical Context
This fable, often attributed to Aesop, reflects themes of wisdom and experience versus youthful enthusiasm and naivety, common in ancient Greek storytelling. Aesop's fables were designed to impart moral lessons through simple narratives featuring animals, and this particular tale emphasizes the value of experience over inexperience, a prevalent theme in various cultures' folklore. The story has been retold in numerous forms, illustrating the timelessness of its moral.
Our Editors Opinion
This story highlights the value of experience and wisdom over youthful enthusiasm, a lesson that resonates in today's fast-paced world where we often overlook the insights of those who have been through similar challenges. For instance, in a workplace scenario, a seasoned employee might choose to approach a complex project based on years of accumulated knowledge, rather than relying on the untested ideas of a new intern who is eager to innovate but lacks the context needed for effective decision-making.
You May Also Like

The Pomegranate Apple-Tree and Bramble
In the culturally significant moral story "The Pomegranate Apple-Tree and Bramble," the Pomegranate and Apple-Tree engage in a vain dispute over their beauty. Their quarrel is interrupted by a boastful Bramble, who suggests they stop their argument in his presence, highlighting the folly of pride. This concise moral story serves as a life lesson, reminding readers of the importance of humility over vanity, making it a valuable addition to the top 10 moral stories for class 7.

The Dolphins the Whales and the Sprat
In "The Dolphins, the Whales, and the Sprat," a fierce war erupts between dolphins and whales, highlighting the stubbornness often found in conflicts. When a Sprat offers to mediate their dispute, the dolphins reject his help, preferring destruction over accepting interference from a smaller fish. This quick read serves as a moral story for students, illustrating the consequences of pride and the refusal to seek assistance.

The Lamp
In "The Lamp," a boastful lamp, overly confident in its brightness, claims to outshine the sun but is quickly extinguished by a gust of wind. After relighting it, its owner imparts a life lesson, urging the lamp to embrace humility and provide light quietly, reminding it that even the stars do not need to be reignited. This simple short story conveys a timeless moral found in many famous fables, illustrating the importance of modesty in our pursuits.
Other names for this story
"Wise Bull, Young Calf", "Bull's Stubborn Journey", "Calf's Guide to Wisdom", "Narrow Passage Lessons", "Bull vs. Calf: A Tale", "The Bull's Dilemma", "Calf's Advice Rejected", "Old Bull, Young Calf"
Did You Know?
This fable highlights themes of experience versus youth, emphasizing that wisdom often comes with age and that those who are older may have valuable knowledge that younger individuals cannot easily replicate. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, the solutions to our problems are known to us, even if they seem elusive at first.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.