Pitara Kids Home > Talespin > Folktales for kids

The Fox and the Grapes

An Aesop's fable retold by: Chitra Padmanabhan; Illustrations by Shridevi

Fitru fox was in a relaxed mood. He had no work that day. Since it was a holiday, the farmer was at home guarding his chickens. There was no way Fitru could reach them. Luckily, there was some food left over from the previous night. Life was beautiful. He closed his eyes for a moment.

When he opened his eyes he found himself looking at one, two and three bunches of luscious grapes, and got excited.

A little grape juice running down his throat was just right for a holiday mood.

Fitru's tongue came out and his mouth started watering.

All it required was a hop, a skip and a jump. Of course, he was not wearing his sports shoes that day but that was all right. He would manage. The thought of biting into the juicy grapes was so, so very tempting.

And then, Fitru started jumping. With every jump, he leapt higher. But the grapes were still out of reach.

After jumping for an hour, Fitru knew he would not be able to get to the grapes.

He gave the grapes one disgusted look and said, "I am sure they must be sour. Or the farmer must have sprayed a lot of pesticide on the grapes. And some of the pesticide poison remains even if you wash the fruits. I have probably saved my life today."