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 Fox the Cock and the Dog

The Fox the Cock and the Dog

In "The Fox the Cock and the Dog," a clever Fox tries to deceive a Cock with the news of a universal truce, claiming that all beasts will coexist peacefully. However, when the Cock mentions the approaching Dog, the Fox quickly retreats, illustrating how cunning can backfire. This classic fable, part of impactful moral stories, teaches that those who attempt to trick others may end up ensnared by their own deceit.

cunning
deception
Fox
Cock
The Man and the Lion

The Man and the Lion

A man and a lion boast about their superiority while traveling together, leading to a dispute that reflects the themes found in famous moral stories. When they encounter a statue depicting a lion being strangled by a man, the man claims it showcases human strength, but the lion counters that it represents a biased perspective, suggesting that if lions could create statues, the roles would be reversed. This very short moral story illustrates that the lessons learned from stories can vary greatly depending on the storyteller's viewpoint.

perspective
pride
Man
Lion
The Dolphins the Whales and the Sprat

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.

pride
conflict
Dolphins
Whales

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