MoralFables.com

The Opossum of the Future

fable
2 min read
0 comments
The Opossum of the Future
0:000:00

Story Summary

In "The Opossum of the Future," a clever Opossum finds himself threatened by a Snake while hanging from a tree branch. To escape, he flatters the Snake by praising its evolutionary superiority, but the Snake, rooted in traditional beliefs, dismisses the Opossum's scientific reasoning. This wisdom-packed moral story highlights the clash between modern understanding and age-old traditions, making it a valuable addition to short story collections with moral lessons for children.

Click to reveal the moral of the story

The story illustrates the idea that one's survival often depends on adaptability and the ability to navigate challenging situations with wit and cunning.

Historical Context

This story draws from the rich tradition of fables, which often use anthropomorphized animals to convey moral lessons and cultural critiques. The Opossum and the Snake represent contrasting philosophies—emerging scientific thought versus established beliefs—mirroring the broader intellectual debates of the 19th century, particularly those surrounding evolution and natural selection, as popularized by figures like Charles Darwin. Such tales have roots in various cultures, with notable retellings in Native American folklore and the Western literary canon, reflecting humanity's enduring fascination with the struggles for survival and adaptation.

Our Editors Opinion

This fable serves as a reminder of the importance of adaptability and cleverness in navigating modern life's challenges, where one must often negotiate between danger and survival. For example, in a workplace conflict, an employee might feel threatened by a superior's criticism; instead of reacting defensively, they could use diplomacy and flattery to turn the situation around and foster a more cooperative relationship.

You May Also Like

The Swan and the Goose

The Swan and the Goose

In this famous moral story, a rich man buys a Goose for food and a Swan for its beautiful song. When the cook mistakenly captures the Swan instead of the Goose, the Swan's melodious voice reveals its identity, ultimately saving its life. This short bedtime story teaches valuable lessons about the importance of recognizing true worth and the power of one's unique gifts.

identity
survival
rich man
Goose
The Thistles upon the Grave

The Thistles upon the Grave

In the very short moral story "The Thistles upon the Grave," a Mind Reader wagers that he can be buried alive for six months, using thistles to secure his grave against disturbances. However, after only three months, he emerges to eat the thistles, losing the bet and illustrating the folly of underestimating basic needs. This simple short story serves as a reminder that even the most clever plans can be undone by simple desires, making it a notable example among famous moral stories for class 7.

Deception
Survival
Mind Reader
Thistles
The Ass and the Wolf

The Ass and the Wolf

In "The Ass and the Wolf," a classic fable from the realm of moral stories written for both entertainment and instruction, an Ass feigns lameness to deceive a predatory Wolf. When the Wolf offers to help by removing a thorn, the Ass kicks him and escapes, prompting the Wolf to reflect on the folly of trying to heal instead of embracing his nature as a predator. This long story with moral highlights the importance of understanding one’s true role in life, making it a fitting choice for bedtime moral stories.

Cunning
deception
Ass
Wolf

Other names for this story

Future Opossum Chronicles, The Opossum's Dilemma, Opossum vs. Snake Showdown, Evolution of the Opossum, The Clever Opossum, Survival of the Opossum, Opossum's Wise Escape, The Opossum's Evolutionary Tale

Did You Know?

This story highlights the theme of survival through cunning and adaptability, illustrating how the opossum uses wit to navigate a life-threatening situation, contrasting the instinctual nature of the snake with the more evolved strategies of the opossum.

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
Theme
cunning
survival
pride
Characters
Opossum
Snake
Setting
tree
limb
trunk

Share this Story