MoralFables.com

The Widow and Her Little Maidens

fable
2 min read
0 comments
The Widow and Her Little Maidens
0:000:00

Story Summary

In this humorous tale from folklore, a cleanliness-obsessed widow wakes her two maidens at dawn, driving them to conspire against the rooster that crows at daybreak. However, their plan backfires when the widow begins to rouse them in the middle of the night, leading to even more trouble. This short moral story highlights the unintended consequences of seeking a quick solution, reminding readers that sometimes our actions can lead to greater challenges.

Click to reveal the moral of the story

The moral of the story is that trying to eliminate a problem can sometimes lead to even bigger difficulties.

Historical Context

This story echoes themes found in various folk tales and fables throughout history, particularly those emphasizing the consequences of one's actions. It resembles narratives from Aesop's Fables, where characters often face unintended repercussions for their decisions. This tale also reflects cultural values surrounding diligence and the irony of seeking to escape hard work, prevalent in many storytelling traditions across Europe and beyond.

Our Editors Opinion

This fable illustrates how attempts to eliminate a problem can sometimes lead to greater difficulties, a lesson that resonates in modern life where quick fixes can exacerbate issues. For instance, a worker frustrated by constant emails may decide to ignore all notifications, only to find themselves overwhelmed with a backlog of messages and deadlines, demonstrating that addressing the root cause is often more effective than seeking a hasty solution.

You May Also Like

Mercury and the Woodchopper

Mercury and the Woodchopper

In "Mercury and the Woodchopper," a woodchopper loses his axe in a deep pool and seeks help from Mercury, a thoughtless deity. As Mercury dives in to retrieve the axe, the surrounding trees become loosened and fall, illustrating an important lesson found in many inspirational short stories with moral themes: the consequences of impulsive actions. This tale is a part of the top 10 moral stories that teach children valuable lessons about patience and consideration.

helpfulness
consequences of actions
Woodchopper
Mercury
The Lion, the Cock, and the Ass

The Lion, the Cock, and the Ass

In "The Lion, the Cock, and the Ass," a Lion is startled away from attacking an Ass by the proud crowing of a Cock, who claims his voice instills fear in the mighty beast. The Ass, however, humorously questions the Lion's peculiar fear of the Cock while disregarding the braying of the Ass, highlighting the thought-provoking moral that true strength lies not in appearances but in the wisdom to discern simple lessons from stories. This timeless tale serves as one of many moral stories for kids, encouraging them to reflect on the nature of fear and bravado.

courage
perception
Lion
Ass
An Antidote

An Antidote

In "An Antidote," a young ostrich experiences severe stomach pain after consuming a whole keg of nails, leading to a humorous yet cautionary tale. Concerned for its health, the mother instructs the ostrich to swallow a claw-hammer as a remedy. This engaging moral story teaches kids the importance of making wise dietary choices, making it a perfect addition to short bedtime stories with moral lessons.

carelessness
parental guidance
Young Ostrich
Mother Ostrich

Other names for this story

"Early Birds, Midnight Chores, The Widow's Wake-Up Call, Maidens' Revenge, The Cock's Curse, Nightly Nuisance, The Widow's Dilemma, Trouble at Dawn"

Did You Know?

This story illustrates the theme of unintended consequences, where the maidens' attempt to escape their early morning routine backfires, leading to even greater discomfort and hardship. It serves as a reminder that actions taken to alleviate a burden can sometimes lead to unforeseen complications.

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
story for class 5
Theme
consequences of actions
the value of hard work
the folly of seeking shortcuts
Characters
Widow
little maidens
cock
Setting
widow's house
farmyard
village

Share this Story