The Fox and the Grapes
A hungry fox tries to reach a tempting bunch of grapes and then changes how he talks about them.
A story to read together
The Fox and the Grapes
Take your time. Let the story unfold.
On a warm afternoon, a fox wandered through a vineyard. High above him hung a cluster of ripe grapes. They looked cool, sweet and delicious, and the fox decided he would have them for lunch.
A tempting bunch
The fox stepped back and leaped. His paws brushed the leaves, but he could not reach the grapes. He tried from a stone, then from a low branch.
An easy explanation
“Those grapes are probably sour,” the fox said as he walked away. It sounded easier than admitting he had not been able to reach them.
A more honest thought
The fox paused. He realized he was calling the grapes bad only because he felt disappointed. He took a breath and said, “I wanted them, and I could not reach them today.”
Try another way
The next morning, the fox asked the gardener if he could have a small bunch. The gardener offered him a few grapes in exchange for helping carry a basket.
The end
After the final page
There is no single right answer. Invite young readers to notice, wonder and imagine.
What does the fox try before giving up?
Why might someone say they never wanted something after failing to get it?
Why did the fox call the grapes sour before tasting them?
Make something: Draw the fox’s first plan and a fair second plan. Add a speech bubble where he tells the truth about his feelings.
