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in Activities for Adults· Activities for Kids

The Frog and the Ox: Reading Comprehension Activity

Are you looking for an English short story for reading exercise? ”The Frog and the Ox” is a great story with an amazing moral message about the strength of unity. We have three versions of the story for different levels of English readers: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Use the appropriate level for you or your students.

In this article, we also provide the moral of the story of the frog and the ox, along with reading comprehensive questions and answers. Also, learn a list of key vocabulary from this English short story.

the frog and the ox story moral

The Frog and the Ox Story

If you know your English reading level, jump to the appropriate one. If not, start with the beginner level and see if you’d be able to challenge yourself to read the intermediate or advanced version of “The Frog and the Ox.”

Beginner

Once upon a time in a happy meadow, there was a small frog named Freddy. He liked to hop around and enjoy life. One day, he saw a big ox named Oliver and wished he could be as impressive.

Freddy told Oliver about his wish, and the ox decided to teach him a lesson. Oliver puffed up his chest to look even bigger, but it didn’t work, and he made a funny “POP!” sound. Freddy giggled and said, “Oliver, it seems trying to be something you’re not doesn’t work.”

Oliver agreed and told Freddy, “Be happy with who you are. True greatness comes from being yourself.” After that, Freddy learned to appreciate his small size and the things that made him special. He hopped around the meadow, spreading joy and wisdom to everyone he met. And so, in the happy meadow, Freddy lived contentedly ever after.

Intermediate

Once upon a time in a peaceful meadow, a small frog named Freddy admired the mighty ox, Oliver. Freddy wished he could be as impressive as Oliver and approached him with his thoughts.

Oliver, the wise ox, listened to Freddy and decided to teach him a lesson. Oliver inflated his chest to appear even more massive, but to everyone’s surprise, he let out a loud “POP!” The meadow echoed with the sound of escaping air.

Freddy couldn’t help but giggle at the sight. “Well, Oliver, it seems that trying to be something you’re not doesn’t always work.” Oliver nodded, and with a smile, he said, “Embrace who you are, Freddy. True greatness comes from being yourself.”

From that day forward, Freddy learned to appreciate his small size and unique qualities. The meadow echoed with the laughter of the little frog, who had discovered that being content with oneself was the key to true happiness. And so, in the peaceful meadow, Freddy hopped along, spreading joy and wisdom to all who crossed his path.

Advanced

Once upon a time, in a tranquil meadow surrounded by swaying wildflowers, a small frog named Freddy lived happily. His daily adventures led him to observe the mighty ox, Oliver, who grazed nearby. Oliver, the largest and strongest creature in the meadow, commanded respect from all.

One sunny day, Freddy couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy as he watched Oliver. “If only I were as big as Oliver,” he thought. Driven by this desire, Freddy decided to approach Oliver and share his thoughts. Hopping over with a cheerful “Hello,” Freddy began a conversation with the wise ox.

“Hello, little friend,” responded Oliver, lowering his massive head to meet Freddy’s gaze. “What brings you here?”

Expressing his longing to be as impressive as Oliver, Freddy shared his feelings. Oliver, with a chuckle, decided to teach Freddy a valuable lesson. He inflated his chest, making himself even larger than usual. However, to everyone’s surprise, Oliver’s efforts were in vain, and he let out a loud “POP!” The meadow echoed with the sound of escaping air.

Freddy couldn’t help but giggle at the sight. “Well, Oliver, it seems that trying to be something you’re not doesn’t always work.”

Oliver nodded, acknowledging Freddy’s wisdom. “You’re right, Freddy. Embrace who you are and be proud of your unique qualities. Size may impress some, but true greatness comes from being yourself.”

From that day forward, Freddy learned to appreciate his small size and the unique details that made him special. The meadow echoed with the laughter of the little frog, who had discovered that being content with oneself was the key to true happiness. And so, in the tranquil meadow, Freddy hopped along, spreading joy and wisdom.

The Frog and the Ox: Moral of the Story

The moral of this fable about the frog and the ox is: “Be happy with who you are and appreciate your own unique qualities. Trying to be someone you’re not might not bring the happiness you seek.”

Vocabulary

  • hop: Jump.
  • admired: Looked up to.
  • mighty: Very large or strong.
  • massive: Huge.
  • tranquil: Peaceful and quiet.

the frog and the ox short story

The Frog and the Ox: Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension activities assess and ensure that the reader has understood the story. These questions test the basic understanding and thinking skills such as analysis and interpretation. If you are an English teacher, use these reading comprehension questions to evaluate your student’s ability to extract meaning, make connections, and apply the information they’ve acquired.

Comprehension Questions

  1. Why did Freddy, the little frog, approach Oliver, the mighty ox?
  2. What did Oliver, the wise ox, do to try to teach Freddy a lesson?
  3. What happened when Oliver tried to make himself even larger?
  4. What did Freddy learn from the experience with Oliver?
  5. What did Freddy realize about true greatness through his encounter with Oliver?

Answers

  1. Freddy approached Oliver because he admired the ox’s size and strength and wished he could be as impressive.
  2. Oliver inflated his chest, making himself even larger than usual, in an attempt to show Freddy the challenges that come with trying to be something you’re not.
  3. When Oliver inflated his chest, he let out a loud “POP!” as the air escaped, teaching Freddy that trying to be something you’re not can have unexpected consequences.
  4. Freddy learned to embrace who he was and appreciate his own unique qualities instead of wishing to be someone else.
  5. Freddy realized that true greatness comes from being oneself, and it’s not necessarily linked to size or outward appearances.

More English Stories

  • A Bundle of Sticks
  • The Ant and the Grasshopper: Reading Comprehension Activity

The Frog and the Ox: Join the Conversation

What are your thoughts on this classic moral story about a frog and an ox? Do you agree with the moral of the story? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you.

About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 20 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

Jackie is the author of more than 100 books for English teachers and English learners, including 101 ESL Activities for Teenagers and Adults, Great Debates for ESL/EFL, and 1001 English Expressions and Phrases. She loves to share her ESL games, activities, teaching tips, and more with other teachers throughout the world.

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