The Grasshopper and the Owl
Story Summary
In "The Grasshopper and the Owl," a moral story for kids, an owl, disturbed by a grasshopper's incessant chirping, pleads with her to stop, but the grasshopper ignores her. Lured by the owl's flattery and a promise of nectar, the unsuspecting grasshopper eagerly approaches, only to be deceived and killed. This easy small story with moral teaches valuable lessons about the dangers of vanity and the consequences of ignoring wise counsel.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
Beware of flattery, as it can lead to your downfall.
Historical Context
This fable, likely derived from Aesop's collection of moral tales, reflects the ancient Greek tradition of using anthropomorphized animals to convey lessons about human behavior and consequences. In various retellings, including those by Phaedrus and later La Fontaine, the story highlights themes of hubris and the dangers of ignoring wise counsel, illustrating how pride can lead to one's downfall. The use of the Owl and Grasshopper symbolizes the conflict between wisdom and folly, a common motif in folklore across cultures.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable illustrates the dangers of overconfidence and the perils of ignoring warnings from those with more experience. In modern life, this can be seen in scenarios such as a young professional who dismisses the advice of a seasoned mentor about workplace decorum, only to find themselves ostracized for inappropriate behavior.
You May Also Like
The Wolf and the Horse
In "The Wolf and the Horse," a cunning Wolf attempts to deceive a Horse by claiming to have left a field of untouched oats for him. However, the Horse sees through the ruse, pointing out that if oats were suitable for the Wolf, he would have eaten them himself. This famous fable illustrates a powerful moral about how individuals with a bad reputation often struggle to be trusted, even when they try to perform good deeds, highlighting the impact of storytelling with morals in our understanding of character and trust.
The Two Poets
In "The Two Poets," a short moral tale for class 7, two poets argue over prizes from Apollo: an Apple symbolizing Art and a Bone representing Imagination. The First Poet, proud of his Apple, finds it inedible, while the Second Poet discovers his Bone is merely imaginary, illustrating the futility of their dispute over tangible versus intangible rewards. This meaningful story with moral teaches students about the value of both art and imagination, emphasizing that true worth often lies beyond physical prizes.
Two Dogs
In "Two Dogs," a dog, after suffering under human control, seeks a wagging tail from the Creator to express affection and gain acceptance, embodying a simple lesson from stories about resilience and love. Observing this transformation, a later-created Politician requests a similar gift, receiving a wagging chin which he uses for personal gain, demonstrating a moral about the differences in intentions behind gestures. This folklore offers valuable insights for kids, making it a fitting choice among moral stories for class 7 and short bedtime stories with moral teachings.
Other names for this story
The Noisy Grasshopper, The Owl's Revenge, Nighttime Chatter, The Grasshopper's Folly, The Silent Night, Nature's Duel, The Owl and the Chirper, Sweet Lure of Death
Did You Know?
This fable illustrates the theme of cunning versus brute force, showcasing how the Owl's cleverness ultimately triumphs over the Grasshopper's arrogance and disregard for others, emphasizing the dangers of vanity and the consequences of ignoring warnings.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.
Explore More Stories
Story Details
- Age Group
- adultkidschildrenstory for class 2story for class 3story for class 4story for class 5story for class 6story for class 7story for class 8
- Theme
- Deceptionconsequences of pridethe struggle between different ways of life
- Characters
- OwlGrasshopperPallas (Athena)Apollo
- Setting
- foresthollow