About the The fox and the crow story
Ready to pounce into a fable about clever trickery? “The fox and the crow” tells the story of a fox who uses flattery to trick a crow into giving up her food. It’s a lesson in how we shouldn’t trust compliments when they come from those with sneaky motives!
In this article, you’ll find two versions of the fable: the full tale and a simplified graded reader, ideal for younger English learners. With questions at the end, your child will expand their English vocabulary and practice reading comprehension.
For more fun learning, check out the Studycat Learn English app, where stories, games, and interactive lessons make learning an adventure.
Let’s leap into the clever world of “The fox and the crow” and learn how flattery isn’t always what it seems!
The story of “The fox and the crow”
Once upon a time, in a beautiful green forest, there lived a clever fox. This fox was known for his cunning tricks, and he loved to play games with the other animals. One sunny day, the fox was strolling through the woods when he spotted a crow sitting high up on a tree branch, holding a delicious piece of cheese in her beak.
“Oh, what a lovely sight!” the fox thought to himself.
“That cheese looks so tasty! I must have it!”
The fox decided to use his wit to trick the crow.
He called out to her, “Good day, beautiful crow!
I must say, you have the most stunning feathers I have ever seen!
They shine like the sun, and I hear your voice is just as lovely!”
Flattered by the fox’s kind words, the crow puffed up her chest and thought, “I do have beautiful feathers, and I would love to sing for him!”
Feeling proud and wanting to show off, the crow opened her beak to sing.
But as she did, the piece of cheese fell from her mouth and landed right at the fox’s feet!
The fox quickly picked up the cheese and smiled slyly at the crow.
“Thank you for the lovely song, my dear! I must say, your singing was quite impressive, but your cheese was even more delicious!”
The crow realized she had been tricked.
“Oh no! I let my vanity get the better of me!” she cried.
“I should have been careful with your flattery, sly fox!”
With a chuckle, the fox replied, “Remember, dear crow, not everyone who praises you has good intentions. Be wise and think before you act!”
The moral of “The fox and the crow”
Beware of flattery and think before you act.
The fox’s clever trick teaches us that while compliments can be nice, we should be cautious and not let our pride lead us into foolishness. The crow learned the hard way that it’s important to think critically, especially when someone seems too eager to flatter us.
Questions about “The fox and the crow”
- What did the fox see the crow holding?
- How did the fox flatter the crow?
- What happened when the crow opened her beak?
- What lesson did the crow learn from the fox?
- Why should we be careful with compliments?
Answers
- The fox saw the crow holding a piece of cheese.
- The fox flattered the crow by praising her beautiful feathers and lovely singing.
- When the crow opened her beak, the piece of cheese fell to the ground.
- The crow learned to be cautious of flattery and not let vanity lead her into foolishness.
- We should be careful with compliments because not everyone who praises us has good intentions.
Words to learn
- Flattery: Excessive praise, often used to manipulate someone.
- Cunning: Clever and deceptive; a clever trickster.
- Pride: A feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements or qualities.
- Vanity: Excessive pride in or admiration of one’s own appearance or achievements.
- Wisdom: The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.
”The fox and the crow” story for young English learners (ages 2-5, Pre-A1 graded reader)
Once upon a time, there was a fox. The fox was clever. One day, he saw a crow in a tree. The crow had a piece of cheese in her beak.
The fox wanted the cheese. He said to the crow, “You are beautiful! Your feathers shine in the sun!”
The crow felt happy. She wanted to sing. When she opened her mouth to sing, the cheese fell out! The fox caught the cheese and said, “Thank you, crow! You sang beautifully!”
The crow learned a lesson. She should not let flattery trick her.
Fun fact!
Did you know? The Fox and the Crow teaches us that we should be careful with compliments. Sometimes, people say nice things to get what they want, just like the clever fox!
