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The Bear and the Fox by Aesop with new words, questions for discussion and a video for ESL students to learn English vocabulary in real context and enjoy English literature

The Bear and the Fox is now in the public domain available on Gutenberg Project.

The Bear and the Fox

A bear was once bragging about his generous feelings, and saying how refined he was compared with other animals. (There is, in fact, a tradition that a bear will never touch a dead body.)

A fox, who heard him talking in this strain, smiled and said, “My friend, when you are hungry, I only wish you would confine your attention to the dead and leave the living alone.”


English proverbs from the short story
3 proverbs that are thematically related to “The Bear and the Fox” are:

Actions speak louder than words.

This proverb highlights the importance of actions over empty boasts, mirroring the bear’s self-proclaimed kindness that contradicts his actions.

Don’t judge a book by its cover.

This proverb reminds us not to be deceived by appearances, just as the fox sees through the bear’s false façade of kindness.

A hypocrite deceives no one but himself.

Vocabulary in real context
brag: to talk with too much pride, boast
generous: kind and open-handed
refined: cultured and polite
tradition: custom or belief, folklore, convention
strain: form, manner, style
confine: to narrow, focus, restrict

Moral of the short story
The moral of the fable “The Bear and the Fox” is that hypocrisy and self-deception are ultimately futile. The bear boasts about his kindness and generosity, but his actions reveal a different truth. The fox, through his insightful observation, exposes the bear’s hypocrisy and reminds us that true kindness is demonstrated through actions, not empty words.

Ultimately, the fable teaches us that actions speak louder than words. It encourages us to examine our own behavior and ensure that our actions align with our professed values. By recognizing the gap between our intentions and our deeds, we can strive to become more authentic and genuine individuals. The bear’s tale serves as a timeless reminder that true kindness is not merely a matter of self-congratulation, but rather a commitment to living ethically and compassionately.

Discussion questions
What is the main message or moral of the fable “The Bear and the Fox”?
How does the fox expose the bear’s hypocrisy in the story?
What can we learn from the bear’s behavior in this fable?

Read this short story:
https://lelb.net/the-bear-and-the-fox...