Easy-to-Understand English Fables for Children
Fable 1: The Wolf and the Crane
In a quiet forest, a wolf named Walt gobbled a big meal but got a bone stuck in his throat.
He coughed and whined, unable to eat or drink. A crane named Cora saw him. She had a long beak and kind eyes.
“Cora, help me!” Walt begged. “Pull the bone out, and I’ll give you a reward!”
Cora hesitated. Wolves were tricky, but she felt sorry for Walt. “All right,” she said. She carefully reached her beak into Walt’s throat and pulled out the bone. Walt sighed with relief.
“Now, my reward?” Cora asked.
Walt grinned. “Reward? You’re lucky I didn’t eat you! That’s enough.”
Cora was angry but calm. She flew to a tall tree, out of Walt’s reach. “You broke your promise,” she said. “You’ll need help again someday.”
Walt laughed and walked away. But days later, he ate too fast and got another bone stuck. He howled for help. Other animals heard but remembered his trick. No one came, not even Cora.
Walt suffered for days until the bone loosened on its own. He was weak and hungry. He found Cora by the river. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I was wrong. Please help me next time.”
Cora nodded. “Be honest, and I will.”
From then on, Walt kept his promises. When he needed Cora’s help again, she came, and he thanked her with a fish.
Moral: Honesty earns trust and help when you need it.
Fable 2: The Peacock and the Sparrow
A peacock named Percy strutted through the meadow, showing off his shiny feathers. “I’m the prettiest bird!” he boasted.
A sparrow named Sally, plain and small, watched him. She didn’t care about looks but loved to sing.
“Percy, your feathers are nice,” Sally said, “but can you sing like me?”
Percy scoffed. “Sing? Who needs to sing when I look this good?” He spread his tail, expecting Sally to be jealous. But Sally just chirped a sweet song. The other animals stopped to listen, smiling.
Percy was annoyed. “My feathers are better than your song!” he said. He strutted to the river to admire himself. But he tripped, and his feathers got muddy. The animals laughed, and Percy felt silly.
Sally flew to him. “Don’t be sad, Percy. Clean your feathers, and I’ll teach you a song.”
Percy grumbled but agreed. He washed his feathers, and Sally taught him a simple tune. Percy practiced every day. Soon, he could sing almost as well as Sally. The animals loved his new skill.
Percy realized he didn’t need to boast. His feathers were lovely, but his song made others happy. He and Sally became friends, singing together in the meadow.
Moral: True worth comes from what you do, not just how you look.
Fable 3: The Bee and the Flower
A bee named Bella buzzed through a field, collecting nectar. She loved one flower, a bright daisy, because it gave the sweetest nectar.
But Bella was selfish. She stung other bees to keep the daisy to herself.
One day, a beetle named Ben saw Bella sting a friend. “Why be so mean?” Ben asked. “There’s enough nectar for all.”
Bella buzzed angrily. “This daisy is mine! Stay away!”
Ben shook his head and left. Other bees avoided the daisy, scared of Bella’s stings. The daisy grew sad. “Bella, I want to share my nectar with everyone,” it said. “If you keep stinging, I’ll close my petals.”
Bella didn’t listen. She kept guarding the daisy. One morning, the daisy closed up tight. Bella couldn’t get any nectar.
She buzzed around, hungry and alone. The other bees found new flowers, but Bella had nothing.
Bella landed on a leaf, tired. She saw Ben sharing nectar with a moth. “Ben, I’m sorry,” she said. “I was wrong to be selfish.”
Ben nodded. “Share, and you’ll always have enough.”
Bella apologized to the daisy. “Please open again. I’ll let others come.” The daisy bloomed, and Bella shared its nectar.
The field buzzed with happy bees, and Bella was never hungry again.
Moral: Sharing makes everyone richer, but selfishness leaves you empty.