The Bat and the Weasels by Aesop for ESL Students

The Bat and the Weasels by Aesop for ESL students with a podcast and vocabulary practice in real context

The Bat and the Weasels is now in the public domain available on Gutenberg Project

Podcast of The Bat and the Weasels

The Bat and the Weasels

A bat fell to the ground and was caught by a weasel, and was just going to be killed and eaten when it begged to be let go.

  • weasel: a small furry animal that feeds on rats and birds
The Bat and the Weasels by Aesop for ESL students

The weasel said he couldn’t do that because he was an enemy of all birds on principle.

  • on principle: because of adhering to a particular belief or principle

the early bird catches the worm LELB Society

“Oh, but,” said the bat, “I’m not a bird at all: I’m a mouse.” “So you are,” said the weasel, “now I come to look at you”; and he let it go.

The Lion and the Mouse The Mouse Biting the Trap LELB Society

Some time after this, the bat was caught in just the same way by another weasel, and, as before, begged for its life. “No,” said the weasel, “I never let a mouse go by any chance.”

“But I’m not a mouse,” said the bat; “I’m a bird.” “Why, so you are,” said the weasel; and he too let the bat go.

The Mouse, The Bird, and the Sausage English fairy tale at LELB Society with flashcards and podcast

Look and see which way the wind blows before you commit yourself.

About the Author

Dr. Mohammad Hossein Hariri Asl

Dr. Mohammad Hossein Hariri Asl is an English and Persian instructor, educator, researcher, inventor, published author, blogger, SEO expert, website developer, entrepreneur, and the creator of LELB Society. He's got a PhD in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language).

Number of Posts: 4155

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2 thoughts on “The Bat and the Weasels by Aesop for ESL Students”

  1. The bat and the weasels by Aesop shows how avoiding honesty and trying to please everyone can lead to losing trust and respect. For example, someone at work always agrees with whoever is in charge, taking credit when things go well and blaming others when there’s a problem. Over time, coworkers see their dishonesty, and they lose respect. So, it’s important to be honest and stay true to who we are, rather than changing our identity to fit every situation.

    • That’s an insightful interpretation of “The Bat and the Weasels.” I agree—it highlights the dangers of trying to be everything to everyone at the cost of integrity. The example of the workplace scenario is especially relatable. People quickly see through opportunistic behavior, and while it may yield short-term gains, the long-term consequences, like losing respect and trust, are significant.

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