The Ass and the Frogs
Story Summary
In "The Ass and the Frogs," a burdened ass falls into a pond and groans under the weight of his load, prompting the frogs to mock him for his distress. This humorous story imparts a valuable lesson: people often complain more about minor grievances than they do about greater hardships, making it a perfect quick read story with moral for students. Through this moral short story, readers learn that perspective is crucial when facing challenges.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that people often complain more about minor troubles than they do about significant hardships.
Historical Context
This fable is reminiscent of Aesop's Fables, a collection of moral tales from ancient Greece that often feature animals with human traits to convey ethical lessons. The story reflects themes of perspective on suffering and resilience, emphasizing how individuals often overreact to minor setbacks while underestimating the hardships faced by others—an idea that has been retold and adapted in various cultures throughout history to highlight human nature and the relativity of grievances.
Our Editors Opinion
This story highlights how people often react more dramatically to minor inconveniences than to significant hardships, reflecting a tendency to amplify trivial struggles in modern life. For instance, someone might complain excessively about a long wait in line at a coffee shop, while simultaneously ignoring the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness in their community.
You May Also Like
The Oak and the Reeds
In "The Oak and the Reeds," a large oak tree is uprooted by strong winds and questions how the delicate reeds can survive such storms. The reeds explain that their ability to bend with the wind allows them to endure, unlike the oak, which is destroyed by its rigidity. This short moral story illustrates the valuable lesson of flexibility over stubbornness, making it a great choice for kids seeking moral stories with impactful lessons.
The Man and the Lightning
In "The Man and the Lightning," a simple short story with moral undertones, a politician on the campaign trail is overtaken by Lightning, which boasts of its impressive speed. The Man Running for Office counters that while Lightning may be swift, his endurance allows him to continue on his journey, illustrating a profound lesson about perseverance over mere speed. This short tale serves as a reminder that simple lessons from stories often highlight the value of resilience in the face of challenges.
The Olive Tree and the Fig Tree
In "The Olive Tree and the Fig Tree," a classic among famous moral stories, the Olive Tree ridicules the Fig Tree for shedding its leaves with the seasons. However, when heavy snow falls, the Olive's lush branches break under the weight, leading to its demise, while the bare Fig Tree remains unharmed. This popular moral story illustrates that what may seem like a disadvantage can sometimes be a blessing, making it a valuable lesson in short moral tales and bedtime moral stories.
Other names for this story
"Frogs and the Burdened Beast", "The Burden of the Ass", "Lessons from the Pond", "The Ass's Lament", "Frogs' Wisdom for the Weary", "When the Ass Stumbled", "Heavy Load, Light Grievance", "The Ass, the Frogs, and Life's Burdens"
Did You Know?
This fable highlights the irony of perspective, illustrating how individuals often complain about minor inconveniences while failing to appreciate the greater hardships faced by others, emphasizing the theme of resilience in the face of adversity.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.