The Fox and the Grapes

Short Version

Once there was a hungry fox. One day, he went out to look for food. He searched in many places, but he could not find anything to eat.

At last, he came to a farmer’s vineyard. There he saw a bunch of grapes hanging from a grapevine. The grapes looked fresh and sweet. The fox wanted to eat them very much.

He jumped up to reach the grapes, but he could not get them. He tried again and again, but every time he failed.

Then he held the vine and tried to shake it. Still, the grapes did not fall.

The fox became tired. At last, he stopped trying and walked away. As he left, he said, “Those grapes are sour. I do not want them.”

Moral: It is easy to dislike what we cannot get.

Expanded Version

Once there was a hungry fox. He had been searching for food for a long time, but he could not find anything to eat. He walked through fields and along village paths, becoming more hungry with every step.

At last, the fox came to a farmer’s vineyard. He looked up and saw a beautiful bunch of grapes hanging from a vine. The grapes looked large, fresh, and sweet.

The fox’s mouth watered. He thought, “Those grapes will make a wonderful meal.”

He stood under the vine and jumped as high as he could. But the grapes were too high. He stepped back, ran forward, and jumped again. Once more, he failed to reach them.

The fox tried many times. He jumped from different places and stretched his body as far as possible. Still, the grapes remained out of reach.

Then he tried to shake the vine, hoping that the grapes would fall. But they stayed firmly on the branch.

After many attempts, the fox became tired. He knew that he could not get the grapes, but he did not want to admit his failure.

So, he turned away and said, “Those grapes are probably sour. I do not want them anyway.”

Then he walked away, pretending that he had never wanted the grapes.

Moral: It is easy to dislike what we cannot get.