Aesop's Fables

Theme Practice with Aesop's Fables

Aesop's Fables

Aesop's Fables were written in the 6th Century (a very long time ago!) by a Greek storyteller named Aesop. The fables usually feature animals and always have a moral, or theme. A moral is like a theme because it teaches you a lesson and can apply to everyone. On the next slides, read the fables and determine what the theme is!

A Hare is boasting about his speed in front of the other animals and challenges any one of them to race him. A Tortoise accepts his challenge. At first the Hare thinks it’s a joke, but the Tortoise is being serious. So, soon after, they begin the race. The Hare runs full speed ahead and to make fun of the Tortoise, he decides to take a nap. The Tortoise keeps slowly going and going. When the Hare wakes up, he notices that the Tortoise is near the finishing post and fails to win the race.

The Tortoise and the Hare

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of "The Tortoise and the Hare"?

• Slow and steady wins the race.

• Don't race against a rabbit.

• Tortoises are slow.

• Animals don't race.

A Dog is walking home with a bone in his mouth. On his way home he crosses a river and looks into the water. He mistakes his own reflection for another Dog and wants his bone also. But as he opens his mouth, the bone falls into the river and is never seen again.​

The Dog and the Shadow

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of "The Dog and the Shadow"?

• The bone sank into the river.

• Dogs like bones.

• Be happy with what you have.

• You should give dogs bones.

A thirsty Crow comes across a pitcher, which had been full of water. But when he puts his beak into the mouth of the pitcher, he cannot reach the water. He keeps trying and almost gives up. At last he comes up with an idea: he keeps dropping pebbles into the pitcher and soon the water rises up to the top. He is able to quench his thirst and flies away happily.

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The Crow and the Pitcher

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of "The Crow and the Pitcher"?

• The Crow should have given up.

• The pitcher was too tall.

• You shouldn't drink from pitchers if you don't know where they came from.

• When at first you don't succeed, try, try again!

A Hart is drinking at a river, admiring his beautiful antlers. He then notices how small and weak his legs look. Just then out of nowhere, a Hunter approaches and shoots an arrow. The Hart runs away into the woods and realises that it was thanks to his legs that he survived. While he is looking at his legs, his antlers get caught in the trees. The Hunter catches up to the Hart and kills it.​

The Hart and the Hunter

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of "The Hart and the Hunter"?

• The Hart shouldn't have run into the trees.

• You should be grateful to have legs.

• What you think is your biggest weakness may be your biggest strength.

• The Hunter shouldn't have killed the Hart.