A Needless Labour

Story Summary
In "A Needless Labour," a Skunk seeks revenge on a Lion for a perceived slight and confronts him with an unpleasant odor, believing it to be an effective tactic. However, the Lion dismisses the Skunk's efforts, revealing that he already recognized his identity, making the Skunk's actions pointless. This unique moral story teaches a valuable lesson about the futility of seeking revenge in educational moral stories for class 7.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that one should not waste effort on actions that are already obvious or unnecessary.
Historical Context
This fable is a modern retelling influenced by the tradition of Aesop's Fables, which often feature anthropomorphized animals to convey moral lessons. The story reflects themes of pride and self-awareness, common in folklore, where characters often misjudge their own importance or abilities in relation to others. In this case, the Skunk's attempt to assert itself against the more powerful Lion highlights the folly of overestimating one's impact or influence.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable illustrates the futility of seeking revenge against those who are unconcerned with our grievances, a lesson that resonates in modern life where holding onto grudges can impact our well-being more than our intended targets. For instance, in a workplace scenario, an employee might harbor resentment toward a colleague for a perceived slight, but instead of addressing the issue or moving on, they waste time stewing in bitterness, ultimately affecting their own productivity and happiness while the colleague remains oblivious.
You May Also Like

The Bull and the Goat
In "The Bull and the Goat," a thought-provoking moral story, a Bull seeking refuge from a Lion is unexpectedly attacked by a He-Goat in a cave. The Bull calmly asserts that his true fear lies with the Lion, not the Goat, illustrating the moral lesson about the evil disposition of those who take advantage of a friend in distress. This meaningful story with moral highlights the importance of recognizing true threats and the nature of malicious behavior.

The Stag at the Pool
In this captivating moral story, a stag admires his impressive antlers while undervaluing his slender legs. When a lion pursues him, he realizes too late that his legs, which he despised, could have saved him, while his admired antlers led to his downfall. This impactful tale serves as a powerful reminder for young readers that what is truly valuable is often underrated.

The Lion Jupiter and the Elephant
In this classic moral story, a Lion laments to Jupiter about his fear of a cock, wishing for death due to his perceived cowardice. However, after conversing with an Elephant who is terrified of a tiny gnat, the Lion realizes that even the mightiest creatures have their fears, leading him to accept his vulnerabilities and find peace in his own strength. This impactful tale serves as a reminder that everyone has their struggles, making it one of the meaningful stories with moral lessons.
Other names for this story
"Unseen Rivalry", "The Skunk's Revenge", "Futile Fumes", "The Lion's Indifference", "Odor of Defeat", "A Skunk's Dilemma", "The Price of Pride", "A Stench of Frustration"
Did You Know?
This story highlights the theme of self-awareness and the futility of seeking revenge against those who are already dismissive of us; the Lion's indifference to the Skunk's threat underscores the idea that sometimes, our attempts to assert ourselves may go unnoticed by those we wish to impress or confront.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.