The Stag at the Pool
Story Summary
In this captivating moral story, a stag admires his impressive antlers while undervaluing his slender legs. When a lion pursues him, he realizes too late that his legs, which he despised, could have saved him, while his admired antlers led to his downfall. This impactful tale serves as a powerful reminder for young readers that what is truly valuable is often underrated.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The story illustrates that true value lies in qualities we often overlook, while superficial attributes can lead to our downfall.
Historical Context
This fable is attributed to Aesop, a figure from ancient Greece who is believed to have lived around the 6th century BCE. Aesop's Fables, a collection of moral tales featuring anthropomorphized animals, have been retold and adapted throughout history, embodying timeless lessons about human nature and values. The moral of this particular fable reflects a common theme in various cultures: the importance of recognizing and valuing one's true strengths rather than being seduced by superficial attributes.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable highlights the modern tendency to overlook our true strengths while fixating on superficial attributes, reminding us that what we often undervalue can be our greatest asset. For instance, in a job interview, a candidate might focus excessively on their impressive degree rather than emphasizing their adaptability and problem-solving skills, only to later realize that these soft skills are what employers truly value and seek in a team member.
You May Also Like
The Lion Jupiter and the Elephant
In this classic moral story, a Lion laments to Jupiter about his fear of a cock, wishing for death due to his perceived cowardice. However, after conversing with an Elephant who is terrified of a tiny gnat, the Lion realizes that even the mightiest creatures have their fears, leading him to accept his vulnerabilities and find peace in his own strength. This impactful tale serves as a reminder that everyone has their struggles, making it one of the meaningful stories with moral lessons.
The Herdsman and the Lost Bull
In this very short moral story, a herdsman vows to sacrifice a lamb to the forest deities if he discovers the thief of his lost Bull-calf. When he finds a Lion devouring the Calf, panic sets in, leading him to wish for a full-grown Bull instead, illustrating the theme of moral-based storytelling about the consequences of one's vows and the instinct for self-preservation. This inspirational short story serves as a quick read with a valuable lesson about facing fears and the weight of promises.
The Lion the Fox and the Ass
In the short moral story "The Lion, the Fox and the Ass," three animals agree to share the spoils of a hunt. After the Ass is devoured by the Lion for dividing the loot equally, the Fox wisely learns from this misfortune and takes the largest portion for himself when asked to divide the spoils. This tale, part of folklore and moral stories, emphasizes the importance of learning from others' experiences, making it a fitting choice for bedtime moral stories.
Other names for this story
Reflections of Vanity, The Stag's Dilemma, Shadows of Pride, The Price of Pride, Strength in Humility, The Stag's Lesson, Antlers and Agony, The Fatal Flaw
Did You Know?
This fable highlights the irony of self-perception, where the Stag's admiration for his impressive antlers ultimately leads to his downfall, while the overlooked strength of his legs could have ensured his survival, illustrating that true value often lies in qualities that are easily dismissed.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.