Today I want to share with you a classic Aesop’s fable – The Fox and the Grapes. This story is about a mother fox’s arduous journey to find food for her hungry cubs, and how the cubs are touched and grateful when they accidentally find a grapevine years later.
Crying in the Fox’s Den
Deep in a big mountain, there is a fox family living in a warm den. One day, the little fox was so hungry that he cried, “Oooo – I’m so hungry, I can’t stand it!” Hearing her child’s cries, the fox’s mother rushed to comfort him, “Don’t cry baby, mommy will find you something tasty to eat right away.” Hearing his mom’s words, the little fox stopped crying and waited obediently for his mom to come back.
“Baby, mommy is going to pick a bunch of sweet grapes back for you.” Mommy fox said as she ran out of the den. The little fox waited with great anticipation, but little by little time passed and mommy was late in coming back.
An hour passed, two hours passed, three hours also passed …… little fox’s stomach is getting hungry, it began to suspect that his mother is not in any trouble, can not help but cry again: “Oooh–! Why isn’t mommy back yet? I’m so hungry!”
Mama Fox’s Tough Journey
Meanwhile, Mama Fox was running desperately. She went over a mountain, then a second mountain, and finally came to the foot of a third mountain. There was a human village full of grapevines.
Seeing those purplish-red grapes hanging all over the branches, the mother fox felt a thrill of excitement in her heart, “My child is crying with hunger, I’m sorry, let me pick a bunch of grapes!” After saying that, she quickly jumped on a vine and picked up a big bunch of ripe grapes with her mouth, then turned around and ran back.
The way home was not easy. The mother fox had to climb over three high mountains again, and every step exhausted her. When she finally got close to home, her mind was still filled with worry: “Will there be any danger close to my children if I am away for so long? Like eagles or other predators?”
Just as she neared the fox’s den, she heard the baby fox cry. The sound was a relief to the mother fox, but it also made her feel even more exhausted. She was already so tired that she could barely stand, and the bunch of grapes she was carrying in her mouth had become unusually heavy. “Geez, it’s just so exhausting!” Mother Fox gasped and put the grapes under a big tree, intending to rest for a while before bringing them home.
Unexpected Crisis
Just as the mother fox was about to rest, the hound’s bark came from the distance, “Woof, woof, woof!” Immediately after that, the hunter’s footsteps came closer and closer. The mother fox realized that the situation was not good, if she continued to stay here, not only would she be caught, but her little foxes might also be in danger.
In desperation, the mother fox shouted, “Baby – danger! Run!” Her voice penetrated the woods and woke up the crying little fox.
The little fox did not understand what was happening, but it knew that its mother’s voice meant a warning. So, it immediately rushed out of the hole and ran for its life towards the deep mountains to escape the possible threat.
Reunited after many years
Time flew by and years passed. The mother fox never came back, and the little fox had grown up. In search of its mother, it traveled throughout the mountains, hoping to find any clues about her.
One day, the little fox happened to return to the neighborhood of the den where he used to live with his mother. There, he was surprised to find a thick grapevine growing under a large tree. The vine was full of tantalizing fruits that looked crystal clear and gave off a sweet aroma.
“How could grapes suddenly grow in this place?” The little fox felt very puzzled. It picked a bunch of grapes and tasted it, and was immediately overcome by the sweet flavor. “Wow, it’s really delicious! It’s sweeter than expected!”
The little fox couldn’t help but wolf down the food. However, just as it was enjoying the food, the words that its mother had once said suddenly surfaced in its mind, “Don’t cry baby, mommy will get you something delicious right away.”
At this moment, the little fox suddenly realized. It turned out that these grapes were the traces left by the bunch of seeds that mom had brought back then! It was because of mommy’s efforts and sacrifices that this bountiful grapevine came into being.
The little fox’s gratitude
Thinking about this, the little fox was filled with emotion and respect. Although his mom’s whereabouts are still unknown, her selfless love has always accompanied the little fox as he grew up. In order to express his gratitude to his mom, the little fox stood under the big tree and let out a loud shout:
“Mom – thank you!”
His voice echoed throughout the valley, as if he hoped the wind would carry this gratitude to his mother far away.
What can we learn?
1. The greatness of a mother’s love*
This story shows the power of a mother’s love. The mother fox traveled long distances and risked her life to find food in order to fill her child’s stomach. Even in the face of the threat to her life, she still prioritizes the protection of her child. This kind of selfless love is worth remembering for each of us.
2. The Importance of Gratitude*
Years later, the little fox understood his mother’s dedication by discovering the grapevine and expressed his gratitude from the bottom of his heart. This reminds us that we should cherish and appreciate those who quietly give to us whenever and wherever we are.
3. Perseverance and hope*
Mother Fox’s journey was full of challenges, but she always persevered and eventually succeeded in bringing back the grapes. This tells us that no matter how difficult it is, as long as we persist in our efforts, there will always be a ray of hope.
Through this story, we can not only feel the deep emotion between animals, but also learn the wisdom of life from it. I hope you enjoy this heartwarming story and remember the truth it contains!
