Are you looking for an English short story for reading exercise? ”The Wind and the Sun” 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 wind and sun, along with reading comprehensive questions and answers. Also, learn a list of key vocabulary from this English short story.
The Frog who Desired a King 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 Who Desired a King.”
Beginner
Once in a quiet pond, there was a little frog named Freddy who had a big dream. He wanted to be the king of the pond, thinking everyone would like and respect him. An old turtle named Tessa warned Freddy that being a king meant having responsibilities, but Freddy was too excited to listen.
When Freddy declared himself the future ruler, the other pond animals grew tired of his bossy behavior. They stopped doing what he asked, and Freddy felt lonely. Freddy realized he was wrong and talked to Tessa. She explained that being a leader means being responsible and kind to others.
Freddy decided to be a good pond member instead. Even though he wasn’t a king, he earned respect by being kind to others. The story teaches us that respect comes from our actions, not just having a big title.
Intermediate
Once upon a time, in a quiet pond, there was a small frog named Freddy. Freddy had a big dream – he wanted to be the king of the pond. He imagined that everyone would admire and respect him.
One day, an old turtle named Tessa spoke to Freddy. She asked him why he wanted to be a king. Freddy excitedly explained that he wanted admiration and respect. Tessa warned Freddy that being a king comes with responsibilities. But Freddy was too eager to listen and started declaring himself the future ruler of the pond.
When the other pond creatures gathered, Freddy tried to act like a king, ordering the fish and dragonflies around. However, he soon realized that being a king wasn’t just about giving orders. The pond animals grew tired of Freddy’s demanding behavior. They stopped doing what he asked, and Freddy felt lonely and sad.
Freddy went to Tessa and admitted that he now understood being a king was more than he thought. Tessa explained that true leadership involves responsibility, humility, and caring for others. From that day on, Freddy decided to be a kind and responsible member of the pond. He may not have been a king, but he earned respect by showing kindness to others. And so, Freddy learned an important lesson, reminding everyone in the pond that respect comes from actions, not just titles.
Advanced
Once upon a time, in a peaceful pond, lived a little frog named Freddy. Freddy wasn’t just an ordinary frog; he dreamt of being a king. He often spent his days imagining what it would be like to rule the pond and have all the other creatures respect and admire him.
One day, as Freddy was croaking by the water lilies, a wise old turtle named Tessa approached him. Tessa had seen many seasons come and go and had witnessed the dreams of many pond inhabitants.
“Freddy, my young friend, why do you desire to be a king?” Tessa inquired, her voice slow and gentle. Freddy puffed up his chest and replied, “I want to be respected and admired by everyone in the pond. I want to be the king!”
Tessa, with a knowing smile, cautioned Freddy, “Being a king is not just about admiration; it comes with responsibilities and challenges. Are you sure you understand what it means?” But Freddy was too enchanted by the idea of being a king to listen. He hopped around the pond, declaring himself the future ruler.
Word spread quickly, and the other pond creatures were curious. They gathered around Freddy, expecting him to demonstrate his kingly qualities. Freddy, trying to act regal, ordered the fish to bring him the juiciest insects, and the dragonflies to fan him with their wings. However, he quickly found out that being a king required more than just giving orders.
The pond animals soon grew tired of Freddy’s demanding behavior. The dragonflies stopped fanning, and the fish swam away in frustration. Feeling lonely and realizing that being a king wasn’t as glamorous as he thought, Freddy approached Tessa with a humbled spirit. “Tessa, I now understand that being a king is about more than just being admired. It’s about taking care of others and being responsible.”
Tessa nodded in agreement, “True leadership comes from humility, responsibility, and care for others. Remember, respect is earned through actions, not just titles.” From that day forward, Freddy embraced his role as a responsible and caring member of the pond community. He may not have been a king, but he was respected for the kindness he showed to others.
And so, the little frog learned a valuable lesson that would stay with him for the rest of his days, reminding everyone in the pond that true greatness is measured by one’s actions and not just by a title.
The Frog Who Desired a King: Moral of the Story
The moral of the story about the frog who wanted to become a king is: “Being respected is not just about having a big title; it comes from being responsible, kind, and caring for others.”
Vocabulary
Check out the list of vocabulary from the story.
- declared: stated.
- bossy: describes someone who likes to tell others what to do.
- demanding: someone who expects a lot from others.
- humility: a low view of one’s importance.
- inhabitants: creatures or people who live in a place.
- cautioned: warned.
Teh Frog Who Desired a King: 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
- What did Freddy, the frog, dream of becoming?
- Who warned Freddy about the responsibilities of being a king?
- What happened when Freddy tried to act like a king?
- What did Freddy realize after the other animals stopped listening to him?
- How did Freddy earn respect in the end?
Answers
- Freddy dreamed of becoming the king of the pond.
- Tessa, the old turtle, warned Freddy about the responsibilities of being a king.
- The other pond animals grew tired of Freddy’s bossy behavior and stopped doing what he asked.
- Freddy realized that being a king wasn’t just about giving orders; it involved more responsibilities and kindness.
- Freddy earned respect by being a kind and responsible member of the pond, even though he wasn’t a king.
More Short Stories
- The Fox and the Hedgehog
- The Wolf and the Crane
- The Gnat and the Bull
- The Clever Woodcutter
- The Wind and the Sun
The Frog Who Desired a King: Join the Conversation
What are your thoughts on this classic moral story about the frog who desired a king? Do you agree with the moral of the story? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you.
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