The Kite, the Pigeons, and the Hawk
Story Summary
In the fable "The Kite, the Pigeons, and the Hawk," a group of Pigeons turns to a Hawk for help against a Kite's relentless attacks. After the Hawk defeats the Kite, he becomes overindulgent and vulnerable, leading the grateful Pigeons to blind him in a twist of fate. This life-changing story serves as a moral lesson about the dangers of excess and ingratitude in folklore and moral stories.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
Beware of seeking help from those who may have ulterior motives, as they may turn against you once their needs are met.
Historical Context
This fable, often attributed to Aesop, reflects themes of betrayal and ingratitude prevalent in ancient storytelling traditions. The narrative illustrates a cautionary principle about seeking help from those who might have ulterior motives, and it has been retold in various cultures, emphasizing the moral lessons about trust and the consequences of misplaced gratitude. Such tales often served to convey social and ethical lessons in a concise and memorable format, influencing subsequent literature and folklore.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable highlights the dangers of seeking help from those who may have ulterior motives, as well as the unpredictability of trust. In modern life, a scenario could involve a company hiring a powerful competitor to eliminate a rival, only to find that the competitor then seeks to take over their market share, leaving the original company vulnerable and blind to the consequences of their decision.
You May Also Like
The Statesman and the Horse
In "The Statesman and the Horse," a culturally significant moral story, a statesman who once saved his country encounters a racehorse rushing back to Washington, revealing that its master, another statesman, is hastily pursuing personal gain after a national crisis. This quick read story with moral highlights the contrast between the racehorse's loyalty and the statesman's disillusionment, ultimately exploring the moral complexities of ambition and leadership. Through entertaining storytelling with morals, the narrative encourages reflection on true motivations behind actions in positions of power.
The Partridge and the Fowler
In "The Partridge and the Fowler," a fowler captures a partridge and contemplates killing it. The partridge pleads for its life, promising to lure more partridges to the fowler, but the fowler decides against mercy, deeming the partridge untrustworthy for its willingness to betray its fellow birds. This culturally significant moral story serves as a meaningful fable with a lesson about loyalty and trust.
The Hart and the Vine
In this compelling fable story with moral lessons, a Hart, fleeing from hunters, seeks refuge beneath a protective Vine. Believing the danger has passed, it begins to nibble on the very Vine that sheltered it, attracting the attention of a huntsman who fatally wounds it. In its final moments, the Hart realizes it is justly punished for harming the Vine, illustrating a poignant lesson for young readers about gratitude and the consequences of their actions.
Other names for this story
Kite vs. Hawk: A Pigeon Tale, The Pigeons' Betrayal, The Hawk's Deceit, Shadows of the Sky, Betrayed by Gratitude, The Price of Protection, A Sky Full of Lies, Predators in the Cote
Did You Know?
This fable highlights the theme of misplaced trust and the dangers of relying on those with more power, as the Pigeons sought help from the Hawk only to be betrayed after he had satisfied his own hunger. It serves as a cautionary tale about how those who seem to offer protection may have ulterior motives, ultimately leading to one's downfall.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.