MoralFables.com

The Dolphins the Whales and the Sprat

fable
2 min read
0 comments
The Dolphins the Whales and the Sprat
0:000:00

Story Summary

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.

Click to reveal the moral of the story

Pride and stubbornness can prevent resolution and lead to self-destruction.

Historical Context

The story of "The Dolphins and the Whales" is rooted in ancient fables, particularly those attributed to Aesop, a Greek storyteller whose works often featured animals with human traits to convey moral lessons. This narrative reflects themes of pride, conflict, and the refusal to accept outside mediation, which resonate across various cultures and have been retold in different forms, emphasizing the complexities of rivalry and the consequences of stubbornness in interpersonal relations.

Our Editors Opinion

The story of the Dolphins and Whales highlights the stubbornness that can arise in conflicts, where parties may prioritize pride and autonomy over constructive dialogue and resolution. In modern life, this can be seen in workplace disputes where employees refuse to seek mediation, leading to prolonged tension and inefficiency, ultimately harming the team's productivity and morale.

You May Also Like

Physicians Two

Physicians Two

In "Physicians Two," a wicked old man feigns illness to avoid taking medicine prescribed by two conflicting physicians, who treat him for weeks. When the doctors accidentally meet and argue over their differing remedies, the patient reveals he has been well for days, highlighting a humorous life lesson about honesty and the absurdity of trying to manipulate others. This quick moral story reminds us that deceit can lead to unnecessary complications and that honesty is often the best policy.

deception
conflict
Wicked Old Man
Physician 1
The Self-Made Monkey

The Self-Made Monkey

In this short moral tale, a humble man in a high political office boasts about being a self-made man to a Monkey he encounters in the forest. The Monkey challenges his claim by demonstrating self-creation in a humorous way, ultimately conveying that merely being self-made does not constitute true achievement. This meaningful story imparts a simple lesson about the distinction between self-creation and genuine accomplishment, highlighting the value of humility and recognition of true merit.

Pride
Self-Made Identity
Man
Monkey
From the Minutes

From the Minutes

In "From the Minutes," a misguided orator, proud of his supposed integrity, misinterprets a gesture of scorn directed at his reputation, leading to his mortifying collapse and death. His colleagues, reflecting on the simple lessons from his frequent nonsensical speeches, decide to honor him by adjourning whenever they are tired, illustrating the big moral story of the consequences of lacking common sense. This very short moral story serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and self-awareness.

pride
hypocrisy
Orator
Unblotted Escutcheon

Other names for this story

Oceanic Conflict: Dolphins vs. Whales, The Umpire Sprat, Dolphins, Whales, and a Sprat's Wisdom, War Beneath the Waves, The Sprat's Stand, Undersea Rivalry: Dolphins and Whales, The Sprat's Bold Proposal

Did You Know?

This fable highlights the theme of pride and the refusal to accept outside help, illustrating how rivalries can blind individuals or groups to the potential benefits of reconciliation and cooperation, even when faced with mutual destruction.

Subscribe to Daily Stories

Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.

Explore More Stories

Story Details

Age Group
kids
children
story for class 2
story for class 3
story for class 4
story for class 5
Theme
pride
conflict
the futility of war
Characters
Dolphins
Whales
Sprat
Setting
ocean
waves

Share this Story