The Crow and the Serpent
Story Summary
In "The Crow and the Serpent," a timeless moral story, a hungry crow mistakenly believes he has found a fortunate meal in a sleeping serpent. However, the serpent's fatal bite leads to the crow's demise, teaching a valuable lesson about the dangers of greed and misjudgment. This meaningful tale serves as a reminder that what appears to be a lucky opportunity can sometimes be a source of destruction in real-life stories with moral significance.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
Be cautious of what appears to be a fortunate opportunity, as it may lead to your downfall.
Historical Context
This fable, attributed to Aesop, reflects themes found in ancient Greek storytelling, where animals embody human traits to convey moral lessons. The tale warns against greed and the dangers of underestimating potential threats, echoing similar motifs in various cultures, such as the cautionary tales found in Indian Panchatantra and other folklore traditions. Aesop's fables have been retold and adapted throughout history, emphasizing their enduring relevance in illustrating the complexities of human nature.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable illustrates the dangers of greed and the unforeseen consequences of our choices, a lesson that resonates in today's fast-paced world where instant gratification often leads to perilous outcomes. For instance, a person might impulsively invest in a high-risk stock that promises quick returns, only to suffer significant financial loss when the market turns, realizing too late that their greed overshadowed prudent judgment.
You May Also Like
The Kites and the Swans
In "The Kites and the Swans," a tale from the realm of bedtime moral stories, the Kites and Swans, once blessed with the gift of song, become captivated by the sound of a horse's neigh. In their quest to imitate this alluring sound, they ultimately lose their ability to sing, illustrating a big moral story about how the pursuit of imagined benefits can lead to the forfeiture of present joys. This short moral tale serves as a poignant reminder for personal growth, emphasizing that sometimes, in chasing after the unattainable, we may overlook the true blessings we already possess.
The Thirsty Pigeon
In "The Thirsty Pigeon," a moral story that serves as a cautionary tale for children, a pigeon, desperate for water, mistakenly believes a painted goblet on a signboard is real and crashes into it, injuring herself. Captured by a bystander, her plight illustrates the importance of discretion over impulsive actions, making it a valuable lesson found in motivational stories with moral for class 7.
The Crow and the Sheep
In the very short moral story "The Crow and the Sheep," a troublesome crow humorously bullies a sheep by riding on its back, showcasing her tendency to target the weak while avoiding stronger animals. The sheep points out that such behavior would not be tolerated by a dog, but the crow justifies her actions, claiming they help her survive. This easy small story with moral lessons highlights the importance of recognizing true strength and the consequences of bullying.
Other names for this story
"Fatal Feast, The Crow's Regret, Serpent's Bite, Perilous Meal, The Deceptive Prize, Death from Desire, The Crow's Downfall, Lethal Lure"
Did You Know?
This fable illustrates the theme of the dangers of greed, as the Crow's desire for an easy meal leads to its demise, highlighting the idea that what may initially seem like a blessing can sometimes turn out to be a curse.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.