The Rooster Who Crowed Too Loudly
On a farm lived two roosters. One was Rex, who was strong and proud, and the other was Rory, who was quiet and wise. One day, the two roosters fought to see who was stronger.
Rex won the fight. Rory, meanwhile, retreated quietly to rest in the shade. Not content with his victory, Rex wanted everyone to see him. He flew to the highest point of the barn roof.
There, he puffed out his chest and let out the loudest, most boastful crow imaginable. "I am the king! I am the strongest!"
But his loud crowing caught the attention of a great eagle circling high in the sky. The eagle saw the proud little rooster and decided to teach him a lesson.
The eagle swooped down with great speed. Rex froze in fear. But the eagle didn't grab him; instead, it flew powerfully just above him. The gust of wind from its wings knocked him off the roof. Rex fell and landed right in a big mud puddle. He came out covered in mud and shame, while Rory stepped out from the shade and began to lead the hens quietly. Rex learned that pride only leads to a muddy fall.
Moral Values and Lessons
- Pride Comes Before a Fall: Excessive boasting and showing off can put you in danger.
- The Virtue of Humility: True strength doesn't need to shout, and humility brings safety and respect.
- Quiet Leadership: A true leader is one who cares for others, not one who boasts about himself.
- Don't Make Yourself a Target: When you stand out too much, you may attract unwanted attention.
Comprehension Questions
- Who were the two roosters that lived on the farm?
- Why did the two roosters fight?
- What did the winning rooster, Rex, do after the fight?
- What did the eagle do to Rex?
- Who became the leader of the hens in the end?
Critical Thinking Questions
- Why is showing off too much a dangerous thing to do?
- Do you think the eagle's way of teaching a lesson was better than just catching the rooster? Why?
- What is the difference between being proud of your work and being boastful?
Questions to Connect the Story to Daily Life
- Have you ever seen someone show off too much? What happened to them?
- Is the leader of a game always the loudest person? Who are the quiet leaders you know?
- Why is it sometimes better to be humble and quiet?
Fun Activities
- Draw: Draw the moment the great eagle swoops down, with the shocked look on Rex's face as he is about to fall off the roof.
- Sound Story: Tell the story out loud and have everyone join in with the sound effects: the flapping wings, the boastful crow, the WHOOSH of the eagle, and the big SPLAT in the mud!
- Act it Out: Act out the roles of the two roosters. One is boastful and puffs out his chest. The other is calm and peaceful. Show how they behave before and after the eagle's visit.