The Mountain in Labor – An English fairy tale with a podcast and list of vocabulary and expressions to improve your listening and reading comprehension and expand your vocabulary. Source of story: Gutenberg Project
A mountain was once greatly agitated. Loud groans and noises were heard, and crowds of people came from all parts of the village to see what was the matter.
While they were assembled in anxious expectation of some terrible calamity, out came a mouse.
Don’t make much ado about nothing.
Do not cause a lot of commotion or excitement over something insignificant.
English vocabulary and expressions
- Agitated: restless
- Groan: loud creaking sound
- What was the matter: what was the problem
- They were assembled: they gathered around each other
- Commotion: noisy confusion or activity
Discussion Questions
- What were the expectations of the crowd when they heard the loud groans and noises coming from the mountain?
- How does the unexpected appearance of a mouse at the end of the fable emphasize the message “Don’t make much ado about nothing”?
- Can you think of a modern example or situation where people tend to overreact to a problem that turns out to be insignificant, similar to the crowd’s reaction in the fable?
Little mouse in the Mountain made grisly sounds that people around there thought about some terrible calamity. This story means not to make a big deal out of something insignificant. Also, it advises against overreacting or creating unnecessary noise over minor issues.
The Aesop’s fable ‘The Mountain in Labor’ perfectly illustrates the lesson you mentioned. In the story, a mountain trembles and roars as if something tremendous is about to happen, but in the end, only a tiny mouse emerges. This serves as a warning against exaggeration and unnecessary panic, reminding us that grand expectations or loud proclamations often result in insignificant outcomes. The fable encourages us to stay level-headed and avoid making a big fuss over trivial matters.