In "The Wasp and the Snake," a Wasp persistently stings a Snake, leading to the latter's demise. In a poignant act of desperation, the Snake chooses to place its head under a wagon's wheels, declaring that he and his tormentor shall perish together. This moral short story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of relentless torment and the lengths one might go to escape it, making it a thought-provoking read for both students and adults alike.
The moral of the story is that sometimes, in the face of relentless torment, one may choose to take drastic measures that lead to mutual destruction rather than endure suffering alone.
This fable, often attributed to Aesop, reflects themes of revenge and the consequences of unchecked aggression, common in ancient storytelling. The narrative illustrates the idea that vengeance can lead to mutual destruction, a moral that resonates across various cultures and has been retold in different forms throughout history, emphasizing the dangers of allowing enmity to escalate. The story draws from a rich tradition of anthropomorphized animals symbolizing human traits and moral lessons, prevalent in fables from Greece to Asia.
This fable highlights the destructive nature of revenge and the lengths to which one might go to escape torment, even at their own expense. In modern life, we often encounter situations where individuals, feeling oppressed by a toxic relationship or workplace, may choose to sabotage themselves rather than allow their oppressor to continue thriving; for instance, an employee who, in a fit of frustration, intentionally underperforms or sabotages a project to spite a demanding boss, ultimately harming their own career in the process.
In the short story "The Man and the Serpent," a farmer's son is bitten and killed by a serpent after accidentally stepping on its tail. In retaliation, the farmer injures the serpent, leading to a cycle of revenge that results in the loss of the farmer's cattle. When the farmer tries to reconcile, the serpent teaches a life-lesson moral: while injuries may be forgiven, they can never be forgotten, highlighting the enduring consequences of revenge in this very short moral story.
In "The Tyrant Frog," a clever fable with a moral, a snake being swallowed by a frog pleads for help from a passing naturalist, who misinterprets the situation as a simple dining scenario. The naturalist, more focused on acquiring a snakeskin for his collection, highlights the importance of understanding context before jumping to conclusions. This easy small story serves as a valuable lesson in awareness and perspective, making it a fitting addition to short story collections with moral themes for personal growth.
In the simple short story "The Lamb and the Wolf," a Wolf chases a Lamb that finds refuge in a Temple. When the Wolf warns the Lamb that he would be sacrificed by the Priest, the Lamb wisely replies that being sacrificed is preferable to being eaten by the Wolf. This quick moral story highlights the theme of choosing a less harmful fate over a more dangerous one, making it a meaningful story with moral lessons suitable for class 7.
"Venomous Vengeance, The Stinging Duel, Clash of Nature, Wasp vs. Snake, Fatal Encounter, The Price of Revenge, Deadly Rivalry, The Final Sting"
This fable illustrates the theme of vengeance and the destructive nature of conflict, highlighting how unresolved enmity can lead both parties to mutual destruction, even if one party is the aggressor. The Snake's choice to sacrifice itself underscores the idea that sometimes the desire for retribution can lead to tragic outcomes.
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