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 Cat and the Mice
In this simple moral story, a Cat enters a house overrun by Mice and captures them one by one, prompting the remaining Mice to stay hidden. To lure them out, she pretends to be dead, but one clever Mouse warns that those who have been deceived will always remain cautious. This famous moral story teaches a valuable life lesson about the importance of vigilance after being tricked.
The Man and the Wart
In "The Man and the Wart," a humorous tale with an impactful moral, a man with a wart on his nose recruits others into a fictitious order, claiming its membership is rapidly expanding. When another afflicted person pays to avoid joining, the first man shamelessly returns to demand monthly dues, highlighting the folly of exploiting others' insecurities. This funny story serves as a culturally significant moral lesson about honesty and the consequences of greed.
The Faithful Cashier
In "The Faithful Cashier," a bank cashier who defaults on funds claims he used the money for dues to a mutual defense association that protects members under suspicion. This educational moral story highlights the lengths to which individuals might go to maintain appearances, as the association's strategy involves demonstrating a lack of community involvement to reassure the bank's directors. Ultimately, the president covers the cashier's shortage, restoring him to his position, offering a moral lesson about integrity and reputation in moral-based storytelling.
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