MoralFables.com

The Hen and the Swallow

fable
1 min read
0 comments
The Hen and the Swallow
0:000:00

Story Summary

In "The Hen and the Swallow," a hen nurtures viper eggs, oblivious to the danger they pose, which serves as a timeless moral story highlighting the folly of nurturing harmful beings. The swallow warns her of the impending threat, illustrating a simple lesson from stories about the consequences of ignorance. This fable joins the ranks of popular moral stories, emphasizing the importance of discernment in our choices.

Click to reveal the moral of the story

Be cautious in your kindness, as helping the wrong individuals can lead to harm.

Historical Context

This fable, often attributed to Aesop, reflects themes prevalent in ancient Greek literature, emphasizing the consequences of misguided kindness and the dangers of nurturing harmful entities. The story illustrates a timeless moral lesson about the potential repercussions of one's actions, particularly in the context of loyalty and trust, and has been retold in various forms throughout history, including in the works of later European fabulists like Jean de La Fontaine. Its enduring relevance highlights the universal human experience of unintended consequences stemming from benevolence.

Our Editors Opinion

The story of the hen and the viper serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of nurturing harmful influences or relationships, often at the expense of one's own well-being. In modern life, a relevant scenario could be a person who invests time and care into a toxic friendship, only to find that the friend's negative behaviors ultimately harm them, illustrating the importance of recognizing and distancing oneself from detrimental associations for personal safety and growth.

You May Also Like

The Grasshopper and the Ant

The Grasshopper and the Ant

In the thought-provoking moral story "The Grasshopper and the Ant," a hungry Grasshopper seeks food from an Ant during winter, lamenting that his supplies were taken by the Ants. The Ant questions why the Grasshopper did not prepare for the cold instead of spending the summer singing. This short tale with a moral highlights the lessons learned from stories about the importance of preparation and hard work.

hard work
preparation
Grasshopper
Ant
The Kites and the Swans

The Kites and the Swans

In "The Kites and the Swans," a tale from the realm of bedtime moral stories, the Kites and Swans, once blessed with the gift of song, become captivated by the sound of a horse's neigh. In their quest to imitate this alluring sound, they ultimately lose their ability to sing, illustrating a big moral story about how the pursuit of imagined benefits can lead to the forfeiture of present joys. This short moral tale serves as a poignant reminder for personal growth, emphasizing that sometimes, in chasing after the unattainable, we may overlook the true blessings we already possess.

Desire
Loss
Kites
Swans
The Fighting Cocks and the Eagle

The Fighting Cocks and the Eagle

In this captivating moral story, two game cocks battle for dominance in a farmyard, with one ultimately emerging victorious. However, the conqueror's pride leads to its capture by an eagle, allowing the defeated cock to take over without challenge. This wisdom-packed tale illustrates that pride often precedes one's downfall, serving as a concise moral lesson in humility.

pride
humility
Two Game Cocks
Eagle

Other names for this story

"Viper's Eggs, Hen's Care, Swallow's Warning, From Hen to Viper, The Cautionary Hen, Nurturing Danger, Swallow's Advice, The Hen's Dilemma"

Did You Know?

This fable illustrates the theme of unintended consequences, highlighting how nurturing something harmful can lead to one's own downfall, a cautionary reminder about the risks of misguided compassion.

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
naivety
consequences
the nature of trust
Characters
Hen
Swallow
Viper
Setting
henhouse
surrounding environment

Share this Story