A fox plays a mean trick on a stork, but learns that turnabout is fair play.
When a mischievous fox invites a stork to dinner and serves soup in a shallow dish, the long-beaked stork cannot eat a single drop. But the clever stork gets her revenge by inviting the fox to a fish dinner served in a tall, narrow jar. This classic Aesop's fable teaches children the timeless lesson: treat others as you would like to be treated.
The Fox one day thought of a plan to amuse himself at the expense of the Stork, at whose odd appearance he was always laughing. "You must come and dine with me today," he said to the Stork, smiling to himself at the trick he was going to play. The Stork gladly accepted the invitation and arrived in good time and with a very good appetite.
For dinner the Fox served soup. But it was set out in a very shallow dish, and all the Stork could do was to wet the very tip of her bill. Not a drop of soup could she get. But the Fox lapped it up easily, and, to increase the disappointment of the Stork, made a great show of enjoyment.
The hungry Stork was much displeased at the trick, but she was a calm, even-tempered fellow and saw no good in flying into a rage. Instead, not long afterward, she invited the Fox to dine with her in turn. The Fox arrived promptly at the time that had been set.
The Stork served a fish dinner that had a very appetizing smell. But it was served in a tall jar with a very narrow neck. The Stork could easily get at the food with her long bill, but all the Fox could do was to lick the outside of the jar, and sniff at the delicious odor.
And when the Fox lost his temper, the Stork said calmly: "Do not play tricks on your neighbors unless you can stand the same treatment yourself." The Fox hung his head in shame, for he had learned a valuable lesson about treating others with kindness.
Introduction
The Fox and the Stork is one of Aesop's most beloved fables, teaching children the timeless Golden Rule through an engaging story of a clever fox and a wise stork. When the mischievous fox plays a mean trick on his dinner guest, he soon discovers that what goes around comes around. This charming tale, perfect for bedtime reading, helps young children understand empathy and the importance of treating others as they would like to be treated.
About Aesop
Aesop was an ancient Greek storyteller credited with creating hundreds of fables that have been passed down through generations. His stories typically feature animals with human characteristics who learn valuable moral lessons. Though little is known about his actual life, his fables have become some of the most influential stories in Western literature, teaching children about honesty, kindness, and wisdom for over 2,500 years.
The Moral of the Story
The moral of The Fox and the Stork is clear: treat others as you would like to be treated. This is often called the Golden Rule. The fox learned that playing mean tricks on others can backfire, and that we should consider how our actions affect those around us.
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The Fox & the Stork
The Fox and the Stork is one of Aesop's most beloved fables, teaching children the timeless Golden Rule through an engaging story of a clever fox and a wise stork. When the mischievous fox plays a mean trick on his dinner guest, he soon discovers that what goes around comes around. This charming tale, perfect for bedtime reading, helps young children understand empathy and the importance of treating others as they would like to be treated.
The Origin of This Tale
The Fox and the Stork is one of Aesop's ancient fables, dating back to around 600 BCE in ancient Greece. Aesop was a storyteller who used animal characters to teach moral lessons. This particular fable appears in many collections throughout history and has been retold countless times across different cultures. The story's enduring popularity comes from its simple yet powerful message about reciprocity and the Golden Rule.
About Aesop
Aesop was an ancient Greek storyteller credited with creating hundreds of fables that have been passed down through generations. His stories typically feature animals with human characteristics who learn valuable moral lessons. Though little is known about his actual life, his fables have become some of the most influential stories in Western literature, teaching children about honesty, kindness, and wisdom for over 2,500 years.
The Moral of the Story
The moral of The Fox and the Stork is clear: treat others as you would like to be treated. This is often called the Golden Rule. The fox learned that playing mean tricks on others can backfire, and that we should consider how our actions affect those around us.
empathy
kindness
fairness
consideration
respect
Fun Activities
After reading this story together, try these engaging activities with your child to reinforce the lesson.
🎨Role-play: Take turns being the fox and the stork to understand different perspectives
💬Discussion: Ask your child how the stork might have felt when she couldn't eat the soup
✨Art project: Draw and color your own fox and stork characters
📝Golden Rule game: Throughout the day, identify moments to practice treating others kindly
Frequently Asked Questions
❓What is the moral of The Fox and the Stork?
The moral is 'Treat others as you would like to be treated' - also known as the Golden Rule. The fox learned that playing tricks on others can backfire when the same treatment is given in return.
❓Who wrote The Fox and the Stork?
The Fox and the Stork is one of Aesop's Fables, attributed to the ancient Greek storyteller Aesop who lived around 600 BCE.
❓What age group is this story suitable for?
This story is ideal for children ages 3-5, though older children can also enjoy and learn from its message about empathy and kindness.
❓Why couldn't the stork eat the soup?
The fox served the soup in a very shallow dish. The stork's long beak couldn't scoop up the soup from the flat surface, so she could only wet the tip of her bill.
❓How did the stork get her revenge?
The stork invited the fox to dinner and served delicious fish in a tall jar with a narrow neck. Her long beak could easily reach inside, but the fox could only lick the outside.
