The Hares and the Frogs
Based on a fable by Aesop · Adapted for children by YouAndWorld
A group of hares lived together in a peaceful meadow, but they were frightened by almost every sound.
When the wind moved the grass, they hid. When a branch snapped, they ran. Even the shadow of a bird made them tremble.
— We are tired of always being afraid, — said one hare.
Feeling unhappy, the hares decided to leave the meadow and walked toward a nearby pond.
A family of frogs was resting on the bank. The frogs heard the hares coming and became frightened.
— Something is approaching! — cried one frog.
With loud splashes, all the frogs jumped into the pond.
— Did you see that? — said the youngest hare. — The frogs are afraid of us!
The hares understood that they were not the only creatures who sometimes felt frightened.
— Perhaps we are braver than we think, — said an older hare.
They returned to their meadow with new confidence. They remained careful when danger was real, but ordinary sounds no longer frightened them so easily.
Moral of the Story
Before feeling hopeless, remember that you may be stronger than you think.
Questions to Discuss
- Why were the hares unhappy?
- Where did they decide to go?
- Why did the frogs jump into the pond?
- What did the hares learn?
- Is being careful the same as being afraid?
- When have you been braver than you expected?
Video
The Dog in the Manger
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