Aesop's Fables
by Aesop
10 chapters · 10 chapter quizzes · 70 vocabulary words
Open the Interactive Guide →About This Book
Aesop's Fables is a collection of very short stories that are hundreds and hundreds of years old. In most of these tales the characters are animals that talk, think, and act just like people. A slow tortoise races a speedy hare, a tiny mouse meets a mighty lion, and a clever fox looks up at a bunch of grapes. Each story is quick to read but full of fun. Every fable ends with a lesson, sometimes called a 'moral.' The moral is the big idea the story wants us to remember, like 'slow and steady wins the race' or 'little friends can be great friends.' As you read, you get to figure out what each animal did well or did wrong, and what we can learn from them. This guide walks through ten of the most famous fables one at a time. You will meet the tortoise, the hare, the lion, the mouse, the fox, and the crow, and you will think and talk about what makes each little story so wise.
These fables are perfect for young readers because each one is short, exciting, and easy to picture in your mind. They help children learn important lessons about honesty, patience, kindness, and hard work in a gentle, fun way. Because the stories are so old and so well-loved, they also help children join a giant family of readers all around the world who have grown up hearing these very same tales.
Pre-Reading Discussion Questions
- What is your favorite animal, and what words would you use to describe it?
- Have you ever heard a story where animals could talk? What happened in it?
- What does it mean to learn a lesson from a mistake?
- Do you think it is better to be fast or to be careful? Why?
- Can someone who is very small still be helpful to someone who is very big?
- What is a good friend, and how do good friends treat each other?
Themes & Big Ideas to Track
- Every fable ends with a lesson, called a moral, that we can use in our own lives.
- Doing things slowly and carefully can be better than rushing.
- Even small or weak characters can do brave and important things.
- Being greedy or bragging too much often leads to trouble.
- Telling the truth matters, because people stop believing someone who lies.
- Kindness and hard work usually pay off in the end.
Chapter-by-Chapter Study Guide
Chapter 1: The Tortoise and the Hare
Before you read — think about:
- What does it mean to win a race?
- Who do you think would win a race, a fast animal or a slow animal? Why?
- Have you ever bragged about being good at something?
- What can happen if you stop to rest in the middle of an important job?
- What does the word 'steady' make you think of?
Watch for these while reading:
- Watch how the hare talks about his own speed.
- Notice what makes the tortoise decide to race the hare.
- Pay attention to what the hare chooses to do partway through the race.
- Watch how the tortoise keeps going, even when he is far behind.
- Look for the moment that decides who wins.
Vocabulary to know:
tortoise (noun) — a slow-moving animal with a hard, round shell on its back that lives on land; hare (noun) — a fast animal that looks like a big rabbit, with long ears and long, strong back legs; boast (verb) — to brag, or talk very proudly about how good you are at something; swift (adjective) — moving very fast; steady (adjective) — moving in a slow, even way without stopping; dozed (verb) — fell into a light sleep for a little while; challenge (verb) — to ask someone to try to beat you in a contest or race.
Chapter 2: The Ant and the Grasshopper
Before you read — think about:
- What do you like to do on a warm summer day?
- What is winter like where you live? Is it easy to find food outside?
- What does it mean to save something for later?
- Is it more important to play or to get your work done first?
- What happens if you do not get ready for something ahead of time?
Watch for these while reading:
- Notice how the ant spends the warm summer days.
- Notice how the grasshopper spends those same days.
- Watch for what the grasshopper thinks of the ant's hard work.
- Pay attention to how the weather changes in the story.
- Look for what happens when the grasshopper gets hungry.
Vocabulary to know:
grasshopper (noun) — a green or brown insect with long back legs that hops and makes a chirping sound; ant (noun) — a tiny insect that lives in a group and works hard carrying food; harvest (verb) — to gather up food, like grain or seeds, to keep and use; store (verb) — to put something away and keep it safe to use later; toil (verb) — to work very hard for a long time; idle (adjective) — not working or doing anything useful; lazy; spare (verb) — to give away a little of what you have to someone who needs it.
Chapter 3: The Lion and the Mouse
Before you read — think about:
- What is the biggest, strongest animal you can think of?
- Can someone very small ever help someone very big?
- What does it mean to keep a promise?
- How does it feel when someone shows you kindness?
- Have you ever been afraid of something much bigger than you?
Watch for these while reading:
- Notice how the lion first treats the tiny mouse.
- Watch for the promise the mouse makes.
- Pay attention to how the lion gets into trouble later.
- Notice who comes to help the lion.
- Look for how the mouse keeps his word.
Vocabulary to know:
paw (noun) — the foot of an animal like a lion, with soft pads and sharp claws; mercy (noun) — kindness you show by choosing not to hurt someone you could hurt; roar (noun) — the loud, deep sound a lion makes; mighty (adjective) — very big, strong, and powerful; gnaw (verb) — to chew on something over and over with your teeth; net (noun) — ropes tied together in a criss-cross pattern used to trap animals; tremble (verb) — to shake because you are scared or cold.
Chapter 4: The Fox and the Grapes
Before you read — think about:
- Have you ever wanted something you could not reach?
- What is your favorite fruit, and where does it grow?
- What do you do when you try something hard and it does not work?
- Is it fair to say something is bad just because you cannot have it?
- What does the word 'sour' taste like to you?
Watch for these while reading:
- Notice where the grapes are hanging.
- Watch how many times the fox tries to reach them.
- Pay attention to how the fox feels as he keeps trying.
- Look for what the fox finally decides to do.
- Listen to what the fox says about the grapes at the end.
Vocabulary to know:
fox (noun) — a clever wild animal with reddish fur, pointed ears, and a bushy tail; grapes (noun) — small, round, juicy fruits that grow in bunches on a vine; vine (noun) — a plant with long climbing stems that fruit like grapes grow on; ripe (adjective) — fully grown and ready to eat; leap (verb) — to jump up high off the ground; dangle (verb) — to hang loosely, swinging a little; sour (adjective) — having a sharp, tart taste that is not sweet.
Chapter 5: The Boy Who Cried Wolf
Before you read — think about:
- What does it mean to tell the truth?
- How do you feel when someone tricks you?
- Why is it important for people to believe you?
- Have you ever had a job to do that felt boring?
- What might happen if you say something is true when it is not?
Watch for these while reading:
- Notice what job the boy has to do.
- Watch what the boy shouts to the villagers.
- Pay attention to how the villagers act each time.
- Look for how the boy feels when he tricks them.
- Watch what happens when real danger finally comes.
Vocabulary to know:
shepherd (noun) — a person whose job is to watch over and take care of sheep; flock (noun) — a group of animals such as sheep that stay together; wolf (noun) — a wild animal like a large dog that may hunt sheep; village (noun) — a small town where a few families live close together; alarm (noun) — a loud warning that shouts danger is near; guard (verb) — to watch over something and keep it safe; mischief (noun) — playful behavior that causes trouble.
Chapter 6: The Crow and the Pitcher
Before you read — think about:
- What do you do when you are very thirsty?
- Have you ever solved a hard problem by thinking carefully?
- How could a small change, done many times, make a big difference?
- What tools do birds use instead of hands?
- Why is it good to stay calm when something is hard?
Watch for these while reading:
- Notice what the crow is looking for.
- Watch what she finds and what is wrong with it.
- Pay attention to the clever idea the crow has.
- Look for what she drops into the pitcher.
- Watch how the water changes little by little.
Vocabulary to know:
crow (noun) — a large black bird with a loud call; pitcher (noun) — a tall container with a handle used for holding water; thirsty (adjective) — needing or wanting a drink of water; beak (noun) — the hard, pointed mouth of a bird; pebble (noun) — a small, smooth stone; level (noun) — how high or low something like water reaches; clever (adjective) — quick to understand things and good at solving problems.
Chapter 7: The North Wind and the Sun
Before you read — think about:
- What is the difference between the wind and the sun?
- When someone wants you to do something, does yelling or kindness work better?
- Have you ever felt so warm that you took off your coat?
- What does it mean to be strong? Is there more than one kind of strength?
- Who do you think is stronger, the wind or the sun? Why?
Watch for these while reading:
- Notice what the wind and the sun are arguing about.
- Watch the test they agree to try.
- Pay attention to what the wind does first, and how the traveler reacts.
- Look for what the sun does when it is his turn.
- Watch how the traveler behaves in the wind versus in the sunshine.
Vocabulary to know:
wind (noun) — moving air, sometimes soft and sometimes very strong; traveler (noun) — a person who is making a journey from one place to another; cloak (noun) — a warm coat with no sleeves that hangs from the shoulders; argue (verb) — to say you do not agree with someone as each of you tries to be right; gust (noun) — a sudden, strong rush of wind; gentle (adjective) — soft and kind, not rough or hard; warmth (noun) — the pleasant feeling of being warm.
Chapter 8: The Dog and His Reflection
Before you read — think about:
- Have you ever seen your reflection in water or a mirror?
- What does it mean to be greedy?
- What might happen if you want more than you already have?
- Why should we be happy with what we have?
- What is your favorite treat, and how would you feel if you lost it?
Watch for these while reading:
- Notice what the dog is carrying.
- Watch what he sees when he looks down at the water.
- Pay attention to what the dog thinks the other dog has.
- Look for the greedy choice the dog makes.
- Watch what happens to his own treat in the end.
Vocabulary to know:
dog (noun) — a friendly, four-legged animal often kept as a pet; reflection (noun) — the picture of yourself you see in water or a mirror; bone (noun) — the hard piece a dog loves to carry and chew; bridge (noun) — something built over water so you can cross it; stream (noun) — a small, narrow river of flowing water; greedy (adjective) — wanting much more than you need; snatch (verb) — to grab something quickly and roughly.
Chapter 9: The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
Before you read — think about:
- What is the difference between a city and the countryside?
- Would you rather have a simple life that is safe or a fancy life that is scary?
- Have you ever visited a place very different from your home?
- What foods do you think of as plain, and which do you think of as fancy?
- What makes a home feel cozy and safe to you?
Watch for these while reading:
- Notice where each mouse lives.
- Watch what the country mouse serves his visitor to eat.
- Pay attention to how the town mouse feels about the plain food.
- Look for the fancy food the mice find in the town.
- Watch what frightens the mice during their grand meal.
Vocabulary to know:
cousin (noun) — a relative, such as the child of your aunt or uncle; countryside (noun) — land away from the city, with fields and only a few houses; feast (noun) — a large, special meal with lots of good food; plain (adjective) — simple and not fancy; scurry (verb) — to run quickly with short, hurried steps; crumb (noun) — a tiny piece of food, such as bread; grand (adjective) — large and fancy, like a rich house.
Chapter 10: The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs
Before you read — think about:
- What would you do if you found something that gave you a little treasure every day?
- What does it mean to be patient?
- Is it better to get a little bit at a time, or to want it all at once?
- Have you ever ruined something good by rushing?
- What makes something precious or special to you?
Watch for these while reading:
- Notice the special thing the goose does each day.
- Watch how the farmer feels as he grows richer.
- Pay attention to when the farmer starts to get impatient.
- Look for the greedy idea the farmer comes up with.
- Watch what he loses because he could not wait.
Vocabulary to know:
goose (noun) — a large bird with a long neck, often kept on a farm; golden (adjective) — made of gold, or shining like gold; farmer (noun) — a person who grows crops and keeps animals on a farm; fortune (noun) — a large amount of money or riches; impatient (adjective) — not wanting to wait; wanting something right away; precious (adjective) — very valuable and worth a great deal; nest (noun) — the cozy place a bird makes to lay its eggs.
About the Author
Aesop is said to have been a storyteller who lived a very long time ago in ancient Greece, more than two thousand years ago. People believe he was clever and wise and loved to teach important lessons by telling short, funny stories about animals. We do not know very much for certain about his life, but his name has been attached to these famous fables ever since.
Long ago, before books were printed, people shared stories by telling them out loud to one another. Aesop's fables were passed down this way for many, many years before they were finally written down and collected. Because so many people helped retell them over time, there are lots of different versions, and the fables have been enjoyed by children and grown-ups in nearly every country in the world.