The Young Crab and His Mother – English Fairy Tale

The Young Crab and His Mother from Aesop’s Fables with a list of new vocabulary for pre-intermediate students of English and young learners with a podcast

The text has been adopted from Gutenberg Project at www.gutenberg.org

“Why in the world do you walk sideways like that?” said a mother crab to her son. “You should always walk straight forward with your toes turned out.”

“Show me how to walk, mother dear,” answered the little crab obediently, “I want to learn.”

So the old crab tried and tried to walk straight forward. But she could walk sideways only, like her son. And when she wanted to turn her toes out, she tripped and fell on her nose.

Do not tell others how to act unless you can set a good example.

Lead by example.

Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

New words and expressions

1. Sideways: indirect, not straight
2. Straight forward: in a direct path
3. Toe: any of the movable parts at the end of the foot
4. Obediently: doing as told, respectfully
5. To trip: to hit something on the ground with your foot and fall or almost fall, stumble