A wild boar stood under a tree, rubbing his tusks against the trunk. As he went about his task, a fox passing by stopped to inquire about his peculiar behavior.
“Why do you sharpen your teeth when there is no danger from huntsmen or hounds?” asked the fox, puzzled by the boar's actions.
The boar looked up and replied thoughtfully, “I do this advisedly. It would never do to sharpen my weapons at the very moment I need to use them.”
His words carried a lesson about preparation and vigilance, reminding all who heard him that it is wise to be ready before danger arrives.
The moral
It is wise to prepare in advance rather than waiting for danger to arise.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think the Wild Boar chooses to sharpen his tusks even when there is no immediate danger?
- Can you think of a time when being prepared helped you avoid a problem?
- What other stories do you know that emphasize the importance of preparation?
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Read it in another language
- الخنزير البري والثعلب · العربية
- Der Wildschwein und der Fuchs · Deutsch
- El Jabalí y el Zorro · Español
- گراز وحشی و روباه · فارسی
- Le Sanglier et le Renard. · Français
- जंगली सूअर और लोमड़ी। · हिन्दी
- Il Cinghiale e la Volpe. · Italiano
- O Javali e a Raposa · Português
- Дикий кабан и лиса. · Русский
- అడవి పంది మరియు నక్క · తెలుగు
- Ang Baboy Damo at ang Soro. · Tagalog
- Дикий кабан і лисиця. · Українська
- 野猪与狐狸 · 中文
Good night.
Tomorrow night: The Fox and the Crane
