The Wolf and the Ostrich
Story Summary
In the creative moral story "The Wolf and the Ostrich," a wolf chokes on a bunch of keys after eating a man and asks an ostrich for help to retrieve them. The ostrich obliges but humorously claims that a kind act is its own reward, asserting that she has eaten the keys instead. This whimsical tale serves as a life-lesson moral story, illustrating that selflessness does not always seek a reward.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that selfless acts of kindness should not be expected to be rewarded.
Historical Context
This story reflects themes found in Aesop's Fables, where anthropomorphized animals illustrate moral lessons through their interactions. The tale emphasizes the virtue of selflessness and the consequences of greed, common motifs in folklore across cultures. Variations of similar stories can be found in numerous traditions, highlighting the universal nature of these moral lessons.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable highlights the dangers of helping those who are untrustworthy, as kindness can be exploited by those with ulterior motives. In modern life, consider a scenario where a colleague consistently takes credit for others' work; when you assist them out of goodwill, they may not only fail to acknowledge your contribution but also manipulate the situation to their advantage, reminding us to be cautious about to whom we extend our help.
You May Also Like
The Thief and His Mother
In this entertaining moral story, a boy, encouraged by his mother, begins a life of theft that escalates as he matures. Ultimately caught and facing execution, he bites off his mother's ear in a moment of anger, lamenting that had she disciplined him for his early misdeeds, he might have avoided such a disgraceful fate. This tale serves as a stark reminder of the importance of instilling simple lessons from stories early on to guide children towards better choices.
The Sick Kite
In "The Sick Kite," a poignant tale from the realm of animal stories with moral lessons, a dying kite desperately asks his mother to seek divine intervention for his survival. However, she reminds him that he has angered the gods by stealing from their altars, illustrating that one must cultivate relationships during times of prosperity to secure aid in adversity. This captivating moral story emphasizes the importance of respecting others and building goodwill before misfortune strikes.
The Old Man and The Ass
In "The Old Man and The Ass," a classic among concise moral stories, an old man and his ass encounter a lush meadow, where the carefree animal prioritizes its own comfort over the man's warnings about approaching robbers. This dynamic illustrates themes of self-interest and the relationship between master and servant, serving as a reminder found in many famous fables with moral lessons: sometimes, one's own safety may be overlooked in the pursuit of personal pleasure. Ultimately, the tale underscores the importance of recognizing the true nature of those we rely on in moral-based storytelling.
Other names for this story
"Keys of Kindness", "Ostrich's Brave Act", "Wolf's Greedy Gamble", "The Generous Ostrich", "Choked by Greed", "A Lesson in Kindness", "The Wolf's Dilemma", "Beneath the Surface"
Did You Know?
This fable highlights the themes of selfishness and gratitude, revealing how acts of kindness can sometimes go unrewarded, especially when the recipient has ulterior motives. The Ostrich's response emphasizes the idea that true generosity should not be contingent on receiving something in return.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.