In a dense, green forest, there stood a tall, sturdy oak tree. In this tree lived a wise old owl, known throughout the forest for his thoughtfulness and sage advice.
One day, a group of lively forest animals gathered beneath the oak tree. A curious squirrel, eager for conversation, turned to the owl and asked, “Mr. Owl, why do you sit so quietly? Why don’t you join our chatter?”
The owl, opening his eyes wide, replied in a calm, measured tone, “Dear friends, in silence, I find the wisdom to listen and learn. The more I hear, the more I understand.”
A young rabbit, twitching his nose, piped up, “But Mr. Owl, how do you learn if you never speak?”
The owl nodded gently and explained, “By listening carefully to others, I gather much knowledge. Speaking less helps me to think and reflect on what I have heard.”
A chatty magpie, fluttering her wings, chimed in, “But don’t you ever get bored, just listening all the time?”
The wise old owl looked at her with kind eyes and said, “Not at all, my friend. Every voice in the forest has a story or a lesson that enriches my understanding. Patience and quiet give me the space to appreciate them.”
The animals fell silent, pondering the owl’s words. The squirrel, thoughtful now, said, “I see your point, Mr. Owl. Maybe we should all try to listen more and speak less.”
The wise old owl smiled and closed his eyes again, content that his message had been heard.
Also Read: The Owl and The Grasshopper
Moral of The Story
The moral of The Wise Old Owl story is:
“Listening more and speaking less can lead to greater wisdom and understanding.”
This fable highlights the importance of being observant and thoughtful, suggesting that wisdom often comes from careful listening and reflection rather than from speaking. It teaches the value of patience, attentiveness, and the willingness to learn from the world around us.