The Crow
and the
Jar
There was only a little water in the jar and she couldn’t reach down. And she really needed a drink. So she went to fetch a pebble and dropped it in. Then another. And another. And another. And as each pebble fell to the bottom of the jar, the water was pushed a little higher… and higher and higher still. At last it was in reach. Mmm. It was good to drink.
For weeks there had been no rain.
No pitter-patter raindrops. No puddles. Even the ponds had dried up. A crow cawed anxiously as she flapped here and there looking for water. She had a feeling there was some… but where? Where was that feeling leading her? Oh look! It had led her to a tall, tall jar. When she perched on the edge and peered inside, she could see her reflection deep down below. She bent to drink but OH NO! She overbalanced and had to flap flap flap to safety. 20
So remember… Little by little does the trick.
21
about tails,” he said. “They’re heavy, they’re hard to keep clean, and they really slow you down when you’re running. “My advice for the smart modern fox is to cut your tail off. It’s quick to do and has lasting results.” The other foxes stared at the fox with no tail. “Why do you think we’re not convinced?” they asked.
The Fox
with
No Tail
There was once a fox who got caught in a trap.
Actually, it was just his tail that got caught, but it was still a very nasty accident. Not least because as he struggled to get free, he pulled his tail off. In time the wound healed. But the fox still felt really bad about his tail – really CHEATED – and really, really jealous of foxes that still had tails. Which was all of the foxes he knew. Long, bushy tails covered in rusty russetty fur, tipped with white. One day, the fox with no tail called the others to a gathering in the woods. “The things I’ve seen and done have taught me a lot 32
So remember… Those who are miserable want you to suffer like them. 33
So the north wind blew. He flipped back the hood… but the boy pulled it back. He tugged at the ends of the scarf… but the boy tied them tighter. He blew at the hem of the coat and tried to lift it over the boy’s head… but the boy held his arms down to stop that happening.
The North Wind and the Sun The north wind howled. “I’m the greatest!” it roared.
“I’m stronger than anyone. I’m stronger than anything. I am the great north wind. The sun smiled her sunny smile. “I’m not sure you’re right,” she said. “I may not huff and puff like you do, but I’m very strong too.” The north wind was annoyed. “Let’s put this to the test,” he said. “Look – there’s a lad all dressed up with a hooded coat and a long scarf. Let’s see who can get him to take them off.” “Good idea,” replied the sun. “You go first.” 102
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