Video of the Wolf and the Boy

The Wolf and the Boy

The Wolf had just finished a satisfying meal at the edge of the forest. His hunger was gone, his muscles relaxed, and his mood—dangerously—playful. As he wandered down a narrow hillside path, something unusual caught his eye: a Boy lying perfectly still on the ground, face pressed to the earth, breath shallow, hoping to disappear into the landscape.

The Wolf smiled to himself. Fear was familiar to him; he recognized it instantly. Instead of attacking, he stepped closer and spoke calmly, almost kindly.

“So,” said the Wolf, “you think if you stay quiet enough, the world won’t notice you?”

The Boy’s heart raced. Running was impossible. Fighting was absurd. Silence, however, had already failed.

The Wolf circled him once and continued, “I’m not hungry, and I’m in a generous mood. I’ll make you a deal. Say three things to me—three statements that cannot be argued with—and I’ll let you walk away.”

The Boy swallowed hard. This was no time for clever lies or heroic speeches. He gathered his courage and spoke slowly, choosing honesty over pride.

“First,” he said, “it’s unfortunate that you saw me at all.”

The Wolf raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

“Second,” the Boy continued, “it was foolish of me to believe that hiding without thinking would save me.”

The Wolf nodded slightly.

“Third,” the Boy said, his voice steadier now, “people fear and hate wolves because wolves attack without warning, and no one feels safe around a power that shows no restraint.”

The forest fell silent.

The Wolf stopped pacing and looked directly at the Boy. For a long moment, it seemed as though the answer itself might provoke anger. Then the Wolf laughed—not cruelly, but thoughtfully.

“From where you stand,” he said, “everything you’ve said is true.”

He stepped aside, clearing the path.

“Go,” the Wolf added. “You’ve learned something today. That alone is worth sparing you.”

The Boy did not hesitate. He stood, brushed the dirt from his clothes, and walked away—older in wisdom than he had been moments before.

And the Wolf returned to the forest, reminded that truth, when spoken without arrogance or fear, can sometimes disarm even the strongest threat.

Proverbs of the Short Story

“Honesty is the best policy.”

This proverb reflects the Boy’s survival through truth rather than trickery. Instead of lying or exaggerating, he speaks honestly about his situation and his own mistakes. The story shows that honesty can build unexpected trust, even in dangerous situations, and may lead to mercy or understanding where deception would fail.

“Know thyself.”

Although ancient in origin, this proverb fits the story well. The Boy shows self-awareness by admitting his foolishness and fear. By recognizing his own limits and errors, he responds wisely instead of impulsively. The story suggests that self-knowledge is a form of strength that can guide better decisions under pressure.

“A soft answer turns away wrath.”

This proverb highlights the power of calm, thoughtful speech. The Boy does not insult or challenge the Wolf directly; instead, he speaks carefully and without arrogance. His measured words reduce the Wolf’s aggression and change the outcome. The story illustrates how controlled language can defuse conflict and prevent violence.

English Vocabulary in Real Context

1. Satisfying – making someone feel pleased or content

2. Playful – lighthearted or not serious, often unpredictably so

3. Shallow (breath) – short and quick, often caused by fear or stress

4. Recognize – to identify or understand something from experience

5. Generous – willing to give or show kindness more than expected

6. Restraint – control over one’s actions or behavior

7. Absurd – clearly unreasonable or illogical

8. Arrogance – excessive pride or self-confidence

9. Disarm – to remove the power to harm, physically or emotionally

10. Self-awareness – understanding one’s own actions, limits, and mistakes

Moral of the Short Story

The story shows that honest self-awareness can be more powerful than fear or deception. When the Boy admits his mistakes and speaks truthfully, he earns mercy. Wisdom, humility, and clear thinking often protect us better than hiding, lying, or acting bravely without thought.

Discussion Questions

Answer the following questions in the comment form below.

1. Why do you think the Wolf chose to listen instead of attacking the Boy?

2. Which of the Boy’s three statements was the most important, and why?

3. How can the moral of this story apply to modern life, such as school or work situations?

Video of the Birds, the Beasts, and the Bat

The Birds, the Beasts, and the Bat

In a world not so different from our own, the birds and the beasts lived in two powerful, highly connected communities. The birds ruled the skies, proud of their speed, freedom, and innovation. The beasts dominated the land, boasting strength, strategy, and unity. For years, small disagreements simmered between the two groups, until one day a major conflict broke out—fueled by rumors, misunderstandings, and a few loud voices on both sides demanding loyalty.

As the war escalated, each side recruited allies, influencers, and supporters. The bat, however, refused to take a clear stand. When the birds launched a successful campaign and their popularity surged, the bat proudly claimed he was one of them—pointing to his wings as proof. But whenever the beasts gained momentum and public opinion shifted in their favor, the bat quietly slipped into their gatherings, insisting that he was, after all, a furry creature just like them.

Throughout the conflict, neither side paid much attention to the bat’s wavering loyalty. But once peace was finally restored and both communities came together to rebuild, everyone remembered how the bat had behaved. The birds rejected him for abandoning them when times were tough, and the beasts dismissed him for siding with the enemy whenever it was convenient.

With no community willing to trust him, the bat was left alone—living on the edges of both worlds, a reminder that those who try to please everyone often end up belonging nowhere at all.

Proverbs of the Short Story

“You can’t please everyone.”

This proverb means that no matter how hard you try, it’s impossible to make everyone happy. The bat tried to stay on good terms with both sides, but ended up losing the trust of both groups. It shows that avoiding decisions just to keep everyone satisfied usually backfires.

“If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.”

This means that people who don’t have clear beliefs or values can be easily influenced or pushed around. Because the bat had no firm loyalty or principles, he switched sides constantly, showing how a lack of firm standing leads to instability and mistrust.

“A friend in need is a friend indeed.”

This proverb reminds us that real friendship or loyalty is proven in difficult times, not when everything is going well. The bat stayed with each side only when they were winning, showing that he wasn’t truly loyal. True allies stay with you even during struggles.

English Vocabulary in Real Context

1. Conflict – A serious disagreement or argument.

2. Ally – A friend or supporter who helps you in a conflict.

3. Momentum – Strength gained through movement or progress.

4. Convenience – What is easiest or most useful at the moment.

5. Reputation – The opinion people have about someone’s character.

6. Commitment – A firm decision or promise to support something or someone.

7. Integrity – Honesty and strong moral principles.

8. Allegiance – Loyalty or devotion to a person, group, or cause.

9. Outcast – Someone rejected by society or a group.

10. Rebuild – To fix or create again after damage or conflict.

Moral of the Short Story

This fable teaches us that avoiding commitment and shifting loyalty based on convenience can damage one’s reputation far more than choosing the “wrong” side. The bat believed that blending in with whichever group seemed stronger would protect him, but in the long run, both the birds and the beasts saw his behavior as untrustworthy. True loyalty is revealed not when things are easy, but when situations become difficult. Standing firmly for one’s values builds respect—even from opponents.

Another lesson is that trying to please everyone often leads to pleasing no one. The bat’s fear of making a firm decision caused him to lose the trust of both communities. In life, making a clear choice, even with risk, shows integrity and courage. People respect honesty and consistency far more than flattery or quick changes in allegiance. The story reminds us that identity should be rooted in principles, not in the shifting winds of convenience.

Discussion Questions

Answer the following questions in the comment form below.

1. Why did the bat switch sides between the birds and the beasts during the war?

2. How did the birds and the beasts react to the bat after the war ended?

3. What is the main lesson we can learn from the bat’s behavior?

Video of the Man and His Two Wives

The Man and His Two Wives

There once lived a man in his mid-forties whose hair was beginning to turn gray. He was neither young nor old, standing between two stages of life. The man had two wives — one slightly older than he was, and the other much younger. He loved both and tried to keep peace and harmony between them.

The older wife was wise and dignified but didn’t like being reminded that her husband still looked youthful. Whenever he sat beside her, she would affectionately smooth his hair and secretly pull out some of the dark strands. “These black hairs make you look too young,” she would say kindly. “A few more gray ones will give you the look of a respectable man.”

The younger wife, on the other hand, was cheerful and full of life. She loved her husband dearly but wished he looked younger. Whenever she had the chance, she would run her fingers through his hair and pluck out the gray ones. “There!” she’d say playfully. “Now you look much better — younger and stronger!”

This continued for several weeks until one morning, the man looked in the mirror and was shocked to see that he had become completely bald! Both wives, in trying to change him according to their own wishes, had left not a single hair on his head.

From that day on, he learned that trying to please everyone often results in losing what you already have.

Proverbs of the Short Story

“You can’t please everyone.”

This proverb directly captures the main idea of the story. It means that no matter how hard you try, it’s impossible to make everyone happy. Different people have different expectations, and trying to satisfy all of them will only exhaust you or make you lose yourself — just like the man in the fable who became bald while trying to please both of his wives. The best solution is to act according to your own values and maintain balance, rather than chasing universal approval.

“If you chase two rabbits, you catch neither.”

This Japanese proverb means that if you try to do two things at once, you’ll fail at both. The man in the story tried to be both young and old at the same time to please his two wives, but in the end, he lost what he already had — his hair and his self-respect. The proverb reminds us that focus and clarity are necessary to achieve success in life. Dividing your attention or loyalty too much often leads to disappointment.

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

This modern saying, often attributed to Oscar Wilde, means that the most honest and peaceful way to live is to stay true to who you are. Pretending to be someone you’re not, or constantly changing to satisfy others, will only lead to confusion and unhappiness. In the story, the man lost his identity by allowing others to shape how he looked. The proverb teaches that real confidence and respect come from self-acceptance, not imitation.

English Vocabulary in Real Context

1. mid-forties – Around 44 to 46 years old.

2. dignified – Showing calm self-respect and seriousness.

3. affectionately – In a warm and loving way.

4. smooth (verb) – To move your hand gently over something to make it neat or flat.

5. strand – A single thin piece of hair or thread.

6. respectable – Considered good, proper, or socially acceptable.

7. cheerful – Happy and showing positive energy.

8. playfully – Done in a fun, lighthearted, or teasing way.

9. bald – Having no hair on the head.

10. identity – The qualities or beliefs that make a person who they are.

Moral of the Short Story

This fable reminds us that trying to please everyone is an impossible task that often leads to losing our own identity. The man’s two wives loved him, yet each wanted to change him in her own way — one to appear older, the other to appear younger. In his effort to satisfy both, he ended up with nothing, not even a single hair on his head. The story teaches that wisdom and self-respect come from staying true to oneself, not from constantly adjusting to others’ opinions or expectations. Whether in family life, work, or society, balance and honesty are better guides than blind approval-seeking. True harmony begins when we know who we are and accept ourselves first.

Discussion Questions

1. What do you think the man could have done differently to avoid becoming bald and to keep peace in his family?

2. How does this story show the importance of being true to oneself instead of trying to please others?

3. In what ways can this fable apply to modern life — for example, at work, school, or in social media behavior?

Video of the Open Window by Saki (H. H. Munro)

The Open Window by Saki (H. H. Munro)

“My aunt will be down presently, Mr. Nuttel,” said a very self-possessed young lady of fifteen; “in the meantime you must try and put up with me.”

Framton Nuttel endeavoured to say the correct something which should duly flatter the niece of the moment without unduly discounting the aunt that was to come. Privately he doubted more than ever whether these formal visits on a succession of total strangers would do much towards helping the nerve cure which he was supposed to be undergoing.

“I know how it will be,” his sister had said when he was preparing to migrate to this rural retreat; “you will bury yourself down there and not speak to a living soul, and your nerves will be worse than ever from moping. I shall just give you letters of introduction to all the people I know there. Some of them, as far as I can remember, were quite nice.”

Framton wondered whether Mrs. Sappleton, the lady to whom he was presenting one of the letters of introduction, came into the nice division.

“Do you know many of the people round here?” asked the niece, when she judged that they had had sufficient silent communion.

“Hardly a soul,” said Framton. “My sister was staying here, at the rectory, you know, some four years ago, and she gave me letters of introduction to some of the people here.”

He made the last statement in a tone of distinct regret.

“Then you know practically nothing about my aunt?” pursued the self-possessed young lady.

“Only her name and address,” admitted the caller. He was wondering whether Mrs. Sappleton was in the married or widowed state. An undefinable something about the room seemed to suggest masculine habitation.

“Her great tragedy happened just three years ago,” said the child; “that would be since your sister’s time.”

“Her tragedy?” asked Framton; somehow in this restful country spot tragedies seemed out of place.

“You may wonder why we keep that window wide open on an October afternoon,” said the niece, indicating a large French window that opened on to a lawn.

“It is quite warm for the time of the year,” said Framton; “but has that window got anything to do with the tragedy?”

“Out through that window, three years ago to a day, her husband and her two young brothers went off for their day’s shooting. They never came back. In crossing the moor to their favourite snipe-shooting ground they were all three engulfed in a treacherous piece of bog. It had been that dreadful wet summer, you know, and places that were safe in other years gave way suddenly without warning. Their bodies were never recovered. That was the dreadful part of it.”

Here the child’s voice lost its self-possessed note and became falteringly human. “Poor aunt always thinks that they will come back some day, they and the little brown spaniel that was lost with them, and walk in at that window just as they used to do. That is why the window is kept open every evening till it is quite dusk. Poor dear aunt, she has often told me how they went out, her husband with his white waterproof coat over his arm, and Ronnie, her youngest brother, singing ‘Bertie, why do you bound?’ as he always did to tease her, because she said it got on her nerves. Do you know, sometimes on still, quiet evenings like this, I almost get a creepy feeling that they will all walk in through that window—”

She broke off with a little shudder. It was a relief to Framton when the aunt bustled into the room with a whirl of apologies for being late in making her appearance.

“I hope Vera has been amusing you?” she said.

“She has been very interesting,” said Framton.

“I hope you don’t mind the open window,” said Mrs. Sappleton briskly; “my husband and brothers will be home directly from shooting, and they always come in this way. They’ve been out for snipe in the marshes to-day, so they’ll make a fine mess over my poor carpets. So like you men-folk, isn’t it?”

She rattled on cheerfully about the shooting and the scarcity of birds, and the prospects for duck in the winter. To Framton it was all purely horrible. He made a desperate but only partially successful effort to turn the talk on to a less ghastly topic; he was conscious that his hostess was giving him only a fragment of her attention, and her eyes were constantly straying past him to the open window and the lawn beyond. It was certainly an unfortunate coincidence that he should have paid his visit on this tragic anniversary.

“The doctors agree in ordering me complete rest, an absence of mental excitement, and avoidance of anything in the nature of violent physical exercise,” announced Framton, who laboured under the tolerably widespread delusion that total strangers and chance acquaintances are hungry for the least detail of one’s ailments and infirmities, their cause and cure. “On the matter of diet they are not so much in agreement,” he continued.

“No?” said Mrs. Sappleton, in a voice which only replaced a yawn at the last moment. Then she suddenly brightened into alert attention—but not to what Framton was saying.

“Here they are at last!” she cried. “Just in time for tea, and don’t they look as if they were muddy up to the eyes!”

Framton shivered slightly and turned towards the niece with a look intended to convey sympathetic comprehension. The child was staring out through the open window with dazed horror in her eyes. In a chill shock of nameless fear Framton swung round in his seat and looked in the same direction.

In the deepening twilight three figures were walking across the lawn towards the window; they all carried guns under their arms, and one of them was additionally burdened with a white coat hung over his shoulders. A tired brown spaniel kept close at their heels. Noiselessly they neared the house, and then a hoarse young voice chanted out of the dusk: “I said, Bertie, why do you bound?”

Framton grabbed wildly at his stick and hat; the hall-door, the gravel-drive, and the front gate were dimly-noted stages in his headlong retreat. A cyclist coming along the road had to run into the hedge to avoid an imminent collision.

“Here we are, my dear,” said the bearer of the white mackintosh, coming in through the window; “fairly muddy, but most of it’s dry. Who was that who bolted out as we came up?”

“A most extraordinary man, a Mr. Nuttel,” said Mrs. Sappleton; “could only talk about his illnesses, and dashed off without a word of good-bye or apology when you arrived. One would think he had seen a ghost.”

“I expect it was the spaniel,” said the niece calmly; “he told me he had a horror of dogs. He was once hunted into a cemetery somewhere on the banks of the Ganges by a pack of pariah dogs, and had to spend the night in a newly dug grave with the creatures snarling and grinning and foaming just above him. Enough to make anyone lose their nerve.”

Romance at short notice was her speciality.

Analysis of the Open Window by Saki

The main theme of “The Open Window” by Saki is the power of imagination and deception. The story explores how easily reality can be distorted through words, especially when the listener is already nervous or vulnerable. Vera, the clever young girl, fabricates a tragic story about her aunt’s lost husband and brothers, turning a simple open window into a symbol of grief and waiting. Mr. Nuttel, a man suffering from anxiety, becomes the perfect victim for her imaginative tale, proving how storytelling can manipulate emotions and blur the line between truth and fiction.

Another important theme is appearance versus reality. What seems real to Mr. Nuttel — the returning figures of supposedly dead men — is only an illusion created by suggestion. Saki humorously exposes human gullibility and the thin boundary between rational thought and fear. Through his trademark irony, he reminds readers that not everything we see or hear should be believed, and that imagination, while powerful, can also mislead.

Discussion Questions

1. Why does Vera tell Mr. Framton Nuttel the story about the open window and her aunt’s husband and brothers?
2. How does Framton Nuttel react when he sees the men returning through the open window, and what does this reaction tell us about his personality?
3. The story ends with the sentence, “Romance at short notice was her speciality.” What does this final line mean? What does it reveal about Vera’s character and Saki’s sense of humor?

Video of the Bald Man and the Fly

The Bald Man and the Fly

One summer afternoon, a bald man was sitting on a park bench, enjoying the sunshine. Suddenly, a fly landed on his shiny head and bit him. He felt the sting and quickly slapped his head to kill it—but he missed. The fly flew away unharmed, while the man ended up smacking himself hard.

The fly came buzzing back and circled around his head, almost as if it were laughing. “You tried to kill me for one tiny bite,” the fly said. “Now look what you’ve done—you hit yourself even harder!”

The bald man sighed and replied, “I don’t mind the slap I gave myself because it wasn’t on purpose. But as for you, nasty little pest, I’d gladly take a few more slaps if it meant getting rid of you once and for all.”

A few people nearby laughed when they saw what had happened. The man smiled awkwardly and realized how silly it was to lose his temper over a fly. He decided that next time, he’d stay calm instead of reacting so quickly.

Proverbs of the Short Story

“Look before you leap.”

This proverb means you should think carefully before taking action. In the story, the bald man reacts too quickly and ends up hurting himself. The saying reminds us that acting without thinking—especially when angry or emotional—can lead to mistakes or problems that could easily be avoided with a moment of thought.

“Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.”

This means you shouldn’t treat a small problem as if it were a big one. The fly’s bite was minor, but the bald man’s overreaction turned it into something worse. The proverb teaches that sometimes we exaggerate small annoyances and make them more stressful than they really are.

“Anger is a bad advisor.”

This proverb means that decisions made in anger are usually unwise. When people are angry, they often lose control and act in ways they later regret—just like the bald man who slapped himself. The saying encourages us to calm down before making choices, because anger clouds judgment and leads to poor outcomes.

English Vocabulary in Real Context

1. Bald – having little or no hair on the head.

2. Park bench – a long seat found in public parks where people can sit and rest.

3. Landed – when something (like an insect or bird) comes down from the air and touches a surface.

4. Sting – a small, sharp pain caused by something like an insect bite.

5. Smacking – hitting something quickly and with force, often with the open hand.

6. Unharmed – not hurt or damaged; safe after something dangerous.

7. Buzzing – the low, continuous sound made by flying insects like flies or bees.

8. React – to respond to something that happens, especially quickly or emotionally.

9. Annoyed – slightly angry or irritated because something is bothering you.

10. Embarrassed – feeling shy, awkward, or foolish in front of others.

Moral of the Short Story

This story reminds us that losing our temper over small problems often backfires. The bald man hurt himself while trying to get rid of something as tiny as a fly, showing how anger can make us act without thinking. In real life, people sometimes react in the same way—getting upset, shouting, or making rash decisions over things that don’t really matter. When we let anger control us, we usually end up causing ourselves more pain, stress, or embarrassment than the original problem ever caused. It’s wiser to pause, take a deep breath, and respond calmly instead of striking out in frustration. Patience and self-control not only protect us from unnecessary harm but also help us see that most annoyances are too small to deserve such strong reactions.

Discussion Questions

1. What made the bald man hit his own head?
2. How did the fly react after the man missed it?
3. What lesson did the man learn at the end of the story?

Video of the Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde

The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde

Every afternoon, as they were coming from school, the children used to go and play in the Giant’s garden.

It was a large lovely garden, with soft green grass. Here and there over the grass stood beautiful flowers like stars, and there were twelve peach-trees that in the spring-time broke out into delicate blossoms of pink and pearl, and in the autumn bore rich fruit. The birds sat on the trees and sang so sweetly that the children used to stop their games in order to listen to them. “How happy we are here!” they cried to each other.

One day the Giant came back. He had been to visit his friend the Cornish ogre, and had stayed with him for seven years. After the seven years were over he had said all that he had to say, for his conversation was limited, and he determined to return to his own castle. When he arrived he saw the children playing in the garden.

“What are you doing here?” he cried in a very gruff voice, and the children ran away.

“My own garden is my own garden,” said the Giant; “any one can understand that, and I will allow nobody to play in it but myself.” So he built a high wall all round it, and put up a notice-board:

Trespassers will be prosecuted.

He was a very selfish Giant.

The poor children had now nowhere to play. They tried to play on the road, but the road was very dusty and full of hard stones, and they did not like it. They used to wander round the high wall when their lessons were over, and talk about the beautiful garden inside. “How happy we were there,” they said to each other.

Then the Spring came, and all over the country there were little blossoms and little birds. Only in the garden of the Selfish Giant it was still winter. The birds did not care to sing in it as there were no children, and the trees forgot to blossom. Once a beautiful flower put its head out from the grass, but when it saw the notice-board it was so sorry for the children that it slipped back into the ground again, and went off to sleep. The only people who were pleased were the Snow and the Frost. “Spring has forgotten this garden,” they cried, “so we will live here all the year round.” The Snow covered up the grass with her great white cloak, and the Frost painted all the trees silver.

Then they invited the North Wind to stay with them, and he came. He was wrapped in furs, and he roared all day about the garden, and blew the chimney-pots down. “This is a delightful spot,” he said, “we must ask the Hail on a visit.” So the Hail came. Every day for three hours he rattled on the roof of the castle till he broke most of the slates, and then he ran round and round the garden as fast as he could go. He was dressed in grey, and his breath was like ice.

“I cannot understand why the Spring is so late in coming,” said the Selfish Giant, as he sat at the window and looked out at his cold white garden; “I hope there will be a change in the weather.”

But the Spring never came, nor the Summer. The Autumn gave golden fruit to every garden, but to the Giant’s garden she gave none. “He is too selfish,” she said. So it was always Winter there, and the North Wind, and the Hail, and the Frost, and the Snow danced about through the trees.

One morning the Giant was lying awake in bed when he heard some lovely music. It sounded so sweet to his ears that he thought it must be the King’s musicians passing by. It was really only a little linnet singing outside his window, but it was so long since he had heard a bird sing in his garden that it seemed to him to be the most beautiful music in the world.

Then the Hail stopped dancing over his head, and the North Wind ceased roaring, and a delicious perfume came to him through the open casement. “I believe the Spring has come at last,” said the Giant; and he jumped out of bed and looked out.

What did he see?

He saw a most wonderful sight. Through a little hole in the wall the children had crept in, and they were sitting in the branches of the trees. In every tree that he could see there was a little child. And the trees were so glad to have the children back again that they had covered themselves with blossoms, and were waving their arms gently above the children’s heads.

The birds were flying about and twittering with delight, and the flowers were looking up through the green grass and laughing. It was a lovely scene, only in one corner it was still winter. It was the farthest corner of the garden, and in it was standing a little boy. He was so small that he could not reach up to the branches of the tree, and he was wandering all round it, crying bitterly. The poor tree was still quite covered with frost and snow, and the North Wind was blowing and roaring above it. “Climb up! little boy,” said the Tree, and it bent its branches down as low as it could; but the boy was too tiny.

And the Giant’s heart melted as he looked out. “How selfish I have been!” he said; “now I know why the Spring would not come here. I will put that poor little boy on the top of the tree, and then I will knock down the wall, and my garden shall be the children’s playground for ever and ever.” He was really very sorry for what he had done.

So he crept downstairs and opened the front door quite softly, and went out into the garden. But when the children saw him they were so frightened that they all ran away, and the garden became winter again. Only the little boy did not run, for his eyes were so full of tears that he did not see the Giant coming. And the Giant stole up behind him and took him gently in his hand, and put him up into the tree.

And the tree broke at once into blossom, and the birds came and sang on it, and the little boy stretched out his two arms and flung them round the Giant’s neck, and kissed him. And the other children, when they saw that the Giant was not wicked any longer, came running back, and with them came the Spring. “It is your garden now, little children,” said the Giant, and he took a great axe and knocked down the wall. And when the people were going to market at twelve o’clock they found the Giant playing with the children in the most beautiful garden they had ever seen.

All day long they played, and in the evening they came to the Giant to bid him good-bye.

“But where is your little companion?” he said: “the boy I put into the tree.” The Giant loved him the best because he had kissed him.

“We don’t know,” answered the children; “he has gone away.”

“You must tell him to be sure and come here to-morrow,” said the Giant. But the children said that they did not know where he lived, and had never seen him before; and the Giant felt very sad.

Every afternoon, when school was over, the children came and played with the Giant. But the little boy whom the Giant loved was never seen again. The Giant was very kind to all the children, yet he longed for his first little friend, and often spoke of him. “How I would like to see him!” he used to say.

Years went over, and the Giant grew very old and feeble. He could not play about any more, so he sat in a huge armchair, and watched the children at their games, and admired his garden. “I have many beautiful flowers,” he said; “but the children are the most beautiful flowers of all.”

One winter morning he looked out of his window as he was dressing. He did not hate the Winter now, for he knew that it was merely the Spring asleep, and that the flowers were resting.

Suddenly he rubbed his eyes in wonder, and looked and looked. It certainly was a marvellous sight. In the farthest corner of the garden was a tree quite covered with lovely white blossoms. Its branches were all golden, and silver fruit hung down from them, and underneath it stood the little boy he had loved.

Downstairs ran the Giant in great joy, and out into the garden. He hastened across the grass, and came near to the child. And when he came quite close his face grew red with anger, and he said, “Who hath dared to wound thee?” For on the palms of the child’s hands were the prints of two nails, and the prints of two nails were on the little feet.

“Who hath dared to wound thee?” cried the Giant; “tell me, that I may take my big sword and slay him.”

“Nay!” answered the child; “but these are the wounds of Love.”

“Who art thou?” said the Giant, and a strange awe fell on him, and he knelt before the little child.

And the child smiled on the Giant, and said to him, “You let me play once in your garden; to-day you shall come with me to my garden, which is Paradise.”

And when the children ran in that afternoon, they found the Giant lying dead under the tree, all covered with white blossoms.

Discussion Questions

1. Why did the Giant build a high wall around his garden, and what happened to the garden after that?
2. How did the children return to the garden, and what changed when they came back?
3. What lesson did the Giant learn about sharing and kindness by the end of the story?

Video of the Belly and Body Parts

The Belly and the Body Parts

Once, the body parts decided to rebel against the stomach.

“You just sit there, lazy and comfortable,” they complained, “while we do all the hard work. The hands lift, the legs walk, the mouth chews, the teeth grind—and all of it just to keep you fed. We’re tired of being your servants. From now on, you can take care of yourself.”

So, they stopped working for the stomach. The hands wouldn’t bring food, the teeth wouldn’t chew, and the legs refused to move. Before long, the whole body grew weak and started to collapse.

It was only then that the body parts realized their mistake: by starving the stomach, they had starved themselves.

Proverbs of the Short Story

United we stand, divided we fall.

People are stronger and more successful when they work together, but if they fight among themselves, everyone loses.

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

Don’t harm or turn against the person or thing that provides you with support, because you also depend on them.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

Every part of a group is important, and if one part fails, the whole group can be weakened.

English Vocabulary in Real Context

1. rebel (against): to refuse to follow or obey something.
2. lazy: not wanting to work or do anything.
3. comfortable: feeling relaxed and at ease.
4. servant: a person (or thing) that works for someone else.
5. collapse: to fall down or stop working because of weakness.
6. realize: to suddenly understand something.
7. mistake: something wrong or incorrect that someone does.
8. starve: to suffer or die because there is no food.

Moral of the Short Story

The moral of this fable is that every part of a community, team, or body has an important role to play, even if that role is not immediately visible or seems less active than others. Just like the stomach provides energy to keep the whole body alive and strong, leaders, organizers, or less obvious contributors often provide support that benefits everyone. When people fail to recognize this interdependence and stop cooperating, the entire group suffers. The story teaches the value of unity, cooperation, and respecting the contributions of all members, no matter how small or hidden they may seem.

Discussion Questions

1. Why did the body parts decide to stop working for the stomach?
2. What happened to the whole body when the stomach was left without food?
3. What lesson did the body parts learn in the end?

Video of the Donkey the Rooster and the Lion

The Donkey the Rooster and the Lion

A donkey and a rooster were hanging out together in a pen when a hungry lion came along, clearly ready to pounce and eat the donkey. But just as the lion was about to attack, the rooster stood tall, flapped his wings, and let out a loud, powerful crow.

Surprisingly, the lion—who was terrified of the rooster’s crowing—panicked and ran away.

The donkey, now feeling overly proud and brave, thought to himself, “If that lion’s afraid of a little rooster, he’ll definitely be afraid of me too!” So, he ran after the lion to chase him away for good.

But once they were far away from the rooster and its crowing, the lion suddenly stopped, turned around, and devoured the donkey.

Proverbs of the Short Story

“Overconfidence can lead you straight into danger.”

This reminds us that being too sure of ourselves—without understanding the risks—can backfire. Just like the donkey thought he was powerful because the lion ran from the rooster, confidence without awareness can be dangerous.

“False confidence often leads to disaster.”

When your confidence is based on a misunderstanding or illusion, it can cause real harm. In the story, the donkey wrongly believed he scared off the lion and paid the price for that mistake.

“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”

This proverb warns that inexperienced or naive people often take risks that wise people avoid. The donkey rushed in to chase the lion, ignoring the real danger—and ended up being eaten.

English Vocabulary in Real Context

1. Donkey: A farm animal like a small horse with long ears; known for being stubborn.
2. Rooster: A male chicken, known for making a loud “cock-a-doodle-doo” sound.
3. Lion: A large, wild cat with a mane, often called the king of the jungle.
4. Pen: A small enclosed area where animals are kept.
5. Pounce: To suddenly jump on something, usually to attack.
6. Terrified: Very scared or frightened.
7. Crow (verb): The loud sound a rooster makes, especially early in the morning.
8. Panic: To feel sudden fear and act without thinking clearly.
9. Overconfident: Feeling too sure of yourself, even when it’s not safe or smart.
10. Devour: To eat something quickly and completely, often in a greedy way.

Moral of the Short Story

The moral of this fable teaches us that overestimating our abilities can lead to serious consequences. The donkey misunderstood the situation and thought the lion was afraid of him, when in fact it was the rooster’s crow that scared the lion away. Acting on false confidence, he chased after the lion and met a tragic end. This story reminds us to think carefully before acting boldly, especially when we don’t fully understand the circumstances. True courage is rooted in wisdom, not in pride or assumptions.

Discussion Questions

1. What made the lion run away at first, and why was this surprising?
2. Why did the donkey think he could scare the lion, and what was the result of his actions?
3. What lesson can we learn from this story about knowing your own strengths and weaknesses?

Video of the Cobbler Who Pretended to Be a Doctor

The Cobbler Who Pretended to Be a Doctor

There once was a cobbler who wasn’t very good at fixing shoes. After struggling to make a living, he gave up his trade and decided to become a doctor instead. He started telling everyone that he had a special cure that could protect against any poison. Thanks to his talent for self-promotion, he quickly gained a reputation and fooled many people.

One day, the cobbler got seriously ill. The king, curious about the so-called miracle cure, decided to put it to the test. He had a cup brought to him and pretended to mix poison into it—though he only added water. Then he handed it to the cobbler and told him to drink his own antidote.

Panicked and afraid he was about to die, the cobbler admitted the truth: he didn’t know anything about medicine, and his antidote was fake.

The king then gathered the people and said, “What could be more foolish than this? You wouldn’t even trust this man with your shoes, and yet you were willing to trust him with your lives!”

Proverbs of the Short Story

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

This means you shouldn’t trust someone’s appearance or confidence alone. The cobbler appeared to be a skilled doctor, but in reality, he had no medical knowledge.

“All that glitters is not gold.”

Not everything that looks valuable or true is actually genuine. The cobbler’s fancy words and false reputation hid his lack of ability.

“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.”

Pretending to know something without true understanding can lead to harmful consequences—for yourself and others. The cobbler’s lies almost cost him his life.

English Vocabulary in Real Context

1. Cobbler: A person who repairs shoes.
2. Trade: A job or occupation, especially one requiring manual skills (e.g., carpenter, tailor).
3. Cure: Something that makes a sick person healthy again.
4. Poison: A substance that can make people very sick or cause death if eaten or drunk.
5. Reputation: What people generally think about someone (good or bad).
6. Fool: To trick or deceive someone.
7. Pretend: To act as if something is true when it is not.
8. Antidote: A medicine that stops or protects against poison.
9. Admit: To say something is true, especially something wrong or embarrassing.
10. Foolish: Lacking good sense or judgment; silly or unwise.

Moral of the Short Story

The moral of this short story is that people should not blindly trust those who pretend to have knowledge or skills they do not truly possess. Just because someone is confident or persuasive doesn’t mean they are qualified. True expertise comes from training and experience, not from clever words or false advertising. The cobbler deceived others and eventually exposed himself by his own fear. It teaches us to be cautious about who we place our trust in, especially in serious matters like health or safety.

Discussion Questions

1. Why did the cobbler decide to become a doctor?
2. How did the king test the cobbler’s supposed cure?
3. What lesson did the king teach the people at the end of the story?

Video of the Wolf and the Shepherd

The Wolf and the Shepherd

A wolf hung around a flock of sheep for a long time but didn’t try to harm them. At first, the shepherd was very cautious and watched him closely, assuming he was up to no good.

But as time passed and the wolf made no move to attack, the shepherd began to relax. Eventually, he started to see the wolf more like a guardian than a threat.

One day, the shepherd had to go to town for some business. Thinking the sheep were safe, he left them under the wolf’s watch. But the moment the shepherd was gone, the wolf pounced and killed most of the flock.

When the shepherd returned and saw the disaster, he said, “I deserve this for trusting a wolf to take care of my sheep.”

Proverbs of the Short Story

“A leopard can’t change its spots.”

This proverb means that people (or animals) cannot change their true nature, no matter how hard they try or pretend. Just like the wolf in the fable, who seemed peaceful for a while but eventually acted according to his instincts, the message is clear: appearances can be deceiving, and deeply rooted behavior is hard to change.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

While this proverb often means not to form opinions based solely on appearance, in the context of the story, it highlights the danger of being fooled by behavior that seems harmless on the surface. The shepherd judged the wolf’s calm behavior as trustworthy, forgetting the wolf’s natural instincts.

“Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.”

This saying teaches that we should learn from our mistakes and not repeat them. The shepherd ignored the obvious risk of leaving his sheep with a wolf. The proverb serves as a reminder to be more careful after a first mistake—and even more so when dealing with known dangers.

English Vocabulary in Real Context

1. Flock: A group of animals, especially birds or sheep, that stay together.
2. Harm: To hurt or damage something or someone.
3. Cautious: Being careful to avoid danger or trouble.
4. Closely: Paying a lot of attention to something or someone.
5. Assuming: Thinking something is true without proof.
6. Relax: To stop being alert or worried.
7. Guardian: Someone who protects or watches over others.
8. Threat: A danger or something that might cause harm.
9. Pounced: To suddenly jump or attack.
10. Disaster: A terrible event with a lot of damage or loss.

Moral of the Short Story

The fable teaches us that it’s foolish to trust someone with a bad reputation just because they’ve been behaving well for a while. People—or even animals—don’t change their true nature easily. Just because someone seems harmless doesn’t mean they are. True trust must be earned over time, and even then, we should never forget who someone really is deep down.

Discussion Questions

1. Why did the shepherd begin to trust the wolf?
2. Do you think the wolf really changed at any point in the story? Why or why not?
3. Can you think of a situation in real life where someone made the mistake of trusting the wrong person? What happened?