Fables and moral stories are usually for kids, right? But they’re full of lessons, so isn’t it fair to say they’re for adults like us too? They hold more gems than we can count. Even at this age, I still keep a collection of these stories, and today I’m sharing a few of the lessons I’ve picked up from them.
Lesson #1: We reap whatever we sow
Let me start with a story from Tit for Tat, a moral story known as "Lesson learnt from the life of an old man."
An old man with an incurable disease was isolated by his family, especially by his daughter-in-law, who saw him as a burden. Visitors were not allowed, he was treated poorly, and he was even fed on the floor. All he wanted was to spend time with his loved ones, but he was neglected and afraid of being seen as a health risk. Influenced by his wife, his son decided to throw him into the river to be rid of the “burden” once and for all.
On the way there, the old man reminded his son of the patience he once had for his endless childhood questions. The memory brought the son to tears. With a broken heart, he reached the riverbank. But just as he was about to throw his father, the old man begged him:
“If you want to throw me, throw me in the middle of the river.”
Shocked, the son asked why he would say that.
The old man explained that he had once thrown his own father in that very same spot. Now that it was happening to him, he was pleading with his own son not to repeat it there. The son’s face went pale with fear. He couldn’t bear to imagine his own future in the hands of his child. If he threw his father into the river, his son might do the same to him one day. That realization changed his heart. He brought his father home, and from then on, both he and his wife treated the old man with respect and affection, finally seeing their own shortcomings.
Moral lesson: The saying “What goes around, comes around” fits this story perfectly. Whatever we do to our parents today, we may one day face from our own children. We often hurt people without realizing we might one day have to bear the same pain.
Lesson #2: Ideas require action
I assume most of us are familiar with the fable "Belling the Cat", right?
One day, the Mice called a meeting to decide how to free themselves from their enemy, the Cat. At the very least, they wanted a way to know when she was coming so they’d have time to run. Something had to be done. They lived in such constant fear of her claws that they hardly dared to leave their dens, day or night.
Many plans were discussed, but none were good enough. Finally, a very young Mouse stood up and said:
“I have a plan that seems very simple, but I know it will work. All we have to do is hang a bell around the Cat’s neck. When we hear it ring, we’ll know our enemy is coming.”
The Mice were amazed that no one had thought of it before. But in the middle of all the celebrating, an old Mouse rose and said:
“The young Mouse’s plan is a very good one. But let me ask one question: who will bell the Cat?”
Moral lesson: Thinking of an idea is one thing, but putting it into action is another. Proposing a clever solution is easy, but finding a practical way to carry it out is the real challenge. Before celebrating a great idea, you have to weigh the danger, the cost, and the difficulty of making it happen. I also think this story is about true bravery versus mere talk. It’s easy to act brave and give advice from a safe distance. It’s a completely different thing to face the danger yourself.
Lesson #3: If you choose to serve the wicked, don’t expect anything in return
Let me tell you about the fable "The Wolf & the Crane"
There was a very greedy Wolf who loved to gulp down his food as fast as he could. One night, he ate so quickly that a sharp little bone got stuck sideways in his throat! He tried to cough it up: “Ahem, ahem!” It wouldn’t budge. He tried to swallow it: gulp! Still stuck. He couldn’t eat a single bite of dinner, and for a hungry wolf, that was a disaster.
Panicking, the Wolf ran to his neighbor, the Crane, a tall bird with a super long, skinny neck and a very pointy beak.
“Please, Crane!” the Wolf choked out. “If you stick your long beak down my throat and pull this bone out, I’ll give you a huge, wonderful prize!”
The Crane looked at the Wolf’s big mouth full of sharp teeth and felt a little scared. "Should I really put my head inside a wolf’s mouth?" she thought. But the Crane was also a little bit greedy herself, and she really, really wanted that prize.
“Okay, open wide!” she said, and did exactly what the Wolf asked.
When the Wolf felt the bone was gone, he started to walk away.
“But what about my reward?” the Crane called anxiously.
“What!” snarled the Wolf, whirling around. “Isn’t it enough that I let you take your head out of my mouth without snapping it off?”
Moral lesson: Expect no reward for serving the wicked, and don’t count on gratitude from the selfish and untrustworthy.
Maybe that’s why these stories have lasted for centuries. They’re not really about wolves, mice, or old men. They’re about us: how we treat the people who come after us, how easily we dream up solutions we’d never carry out, and how much we’re willing to risk for someone who was never going to be grateful anyway.
So far so good; that's all for today's blog. Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you're still with me for the next blog.
Ruffa Jane V. Companion
I wear many hats: writer, public speaker, poet, artist, debater, daughter, sister, ESL Teacher, and I also studied law. I am a lifelong learner who thrives on discovering new ideas and sharing meaningful perspectives with the world, who also possess the reserved trait of a diplomat. True to my surname, COMPANION, I aim to be a comforting and intellectual companion to everyone who encounters my work. Driven by a lifelong dream to achieve recognition as a renowned author, I continue to craft impactful narratives and inspire global learners daily. I love connecting with fellow Hivers! Feel free to hit Follow to stay tuned for more poetry, educational insights, and deep dives. Don't forget to leave your thoughts in the comments so I can check out your blog, too!