The Gnat and the Bull to learn English with fairy tales by Aesop for pre-intermediate students of English and young learners with a podcast and list of important vocabulary
The text has been adopted from Gutenberg Project at www.gutenberg.org
A gnat settled on the horn of a bull, and sat there a long time.
Just as he was about to fly off, he made a buzzing noise, and inquired of the bull if he would like him to go.
The bull replied, “I did not know you had come, and I shall not miss you when you go away.”
Some men are of more consequence in their own eyes than in the eyes of their neighbors.
New words and expression
- Gnat: small biting fly, mosquito
- Settled on: landed and rested on
- He was about to fly: he was going to fly
- Inquired: asked, requested
- Replied: answered, responded
- I shall not miss you: I’m not going to miss you, I won’t miss you
- Consequence: importance, value, significance
It was a nice story. This story highlights the difference between self-perception and how others see you. Some people think that they are more important or influential than they actually are in the eyes of others. So,They may perceive themselves as being central or impactful, but others may not view them in the same way.
You’re absolutely right! The Gnat and the Bull perfectly illustrates the contrast between self-importance and reality. The gnat assumes its presence matters to the bull, but in truth, the bull is completely unaffected. This fable serves as a great reminder that sometimes, we overestimate our significance in the eyes of others. True influence is not about how important we think we are, but rather how our actions genuinely impact those around us. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!