# The Greedy Dog

- Link: https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/animal-stories/the-greedy-dog/
- Published: 2026-10-30T02:33:07+05:30
- Author: MAHENDRA MANCHIKALAPATI

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[Animal Stories](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/animal-stories/)/
The Greedy Dog

✦A classic animal fable

# The Greedy Dog

A little dog learns to be grateful for what she has instead of reaching for an imaginary
extra treat.

📖 2-minute read🍃 Ages 5–11✨ Gratitude and self-control

[Begin reading ](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/animal-stories/the-greedy-dog/#sf-story-text)
[More animal stories](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/animal-stories/)

![A small brown dog carries a bone across a wooden bridge above a quiet stream.](
https://res.cloudinary.com/xhdxr70z/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1793150956/greedy-dog-illustration_92002317891d/greedy-dog-illustration_92002317891d.png?_i=AA)

**A reflection on the water**Read together · Retell · Imagine

Settle in and read at your pace

A story to read together

## The Greedy Dog

Take your time. Let the story unfold.

Poppy the dog found a tasty bone near the bakery. The baker had set it aside for
her, and Poppy carried it proudly along the path. She was glad to have a treat for
later. As she crossed a little wooden bridge, the still water below caught her eye.

Chapter one

### A lucky find

Poppy held the bone gently and thought about the nice walk home. She could already
smell the warm soup waiting in her bowl. “This is plenty for today,” she told herself.
Then she reached the middle of the bridge and glanced down at the clear water.

Chapter two

### A dog in the water

Poppy saw a dog-shaped image below. It seemed to be carrying a bone too. The picture
was only her reflection, but Poppy did not know that. “That dog has a treat!” she
thought. “Perhaps I can have two.” She leaned toward the rail, forgetting to pay
attention to the bone in her own mouth.

Chapter three

### A moment to pause

The bone slipped and landed on the bridge beside her paw. Poppy quickly picked it
up and stepped back from the water. She looked again. The other dog moved whenever
she moved. “Oh, that is my reflection,” she realized. “Wanting more made me forget
to take care of what I already had.”

Chapter four

### A thankful walk

Poppy carried her bone safely home. She thanked the baker the next morning and shared
a cheerful wag with the shop cat. From then on, whenever she wanted something extra,
she paused to think about what was already good. Her walks became happier—and the
bridge felt like an ordinary bridge again.

The end

### Story path

[01A lucky find](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/animal-stories/the-greedy-dog/#sf-chapter-a-lucky-find)
[02A dog in the water](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/animal-stories/the-greedy-dog/#sf-chapter-a-dog-in-the-water)
[03A moment to pause](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/animal-stories/the-greedy-dog/#sf-chapter-a-moment-to-pause)
[04A thankful walk](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/animal-stories/the-greedy-dog/#sf-chapter-a-thankful-walk)

### Word basket

**reflection**an image you see on a shiny surface or in still water

**greedy**wanting more than you need or can use

**pause**to stop briefly and think

**grateful**thankful for something you have

**Read it together**

Talk about wanting more and caring for what we have. Remind children to stay back
from water and ask a trusted adult for help near bridges or streams.

## After the final page

There is no single right answer. Invite young readers to notice, wonder and imagine.

Remember

What did Poppy already have before she saw the reflection?

Think

Why did the image in the water look like another dog?

Imagine

What could Poppy tell herself the next time she wants more?

**Make something:** Draw Poppy on the bridge and add a thought bubble showing what
she is grateful for.

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