In a thick, green forest, there lived a strong and fearless lion. One day, he saw a kind and lovely woodcutter’s daughter and instantly fell in love with her. He couldn’t stop thinking about her and decided to ask for her hand in marriage.

With a soft and gentle roar, the lion approached the woodcutter. “Sir,” he said politely, “I love your daughter and wish to marry her.”

The woodcutter was terrified of the mighty lion but cleverly replied, “You can marry her, but only if you remove your claws and teeth. They frighten me and my daughter.”

Desperate to win her love, the lion agreed. He gave up his sharp claws and strong teeth, thinking it would make the woodcutter happy.

When the lion returned to ask again, the woodcutter said, “Now that you have no claws or teeth, you are weak and no longer the mighty lion you once were. I cannot allow you to marry my daughter.”

The lion felt powerless and deeply sad. He realized he had given up his strength for someone who didn’t value him as he was.

Moral:

Don’t sacrifice your strength to please others.

Additional Lessons:

Love: The lion’s desire to marry the woodcutter’s daughter and his actions driven by love are central to the story.
Strength: The lion’s loss of his claws and teeth represents a sacrifice of his natural strength, and the story illustrates the importance of maintaining one’s strength and true self.

Parenting Tip: Use this story to discuss the importance of self-worth with your child. Explain that while love and kindness are important, they should never come at the cost of losing who you truly are.

Fun Questions For Curious Kids

Why do you think the lion fell in love with the woodcutter’s daughter?
Do you think it was fair for the woodcutter to ask the lion to remove his claws and teeth? Why or why not?
How do you think the lion felt when the woodcutter rejected him?
What makes you special, and why should you always keep those qualities?
If you were the lion, how would you have handled the woodcutter’s request?
What does it mean to be loved for who you are?

Did You Know? Fun Lion Facts!

Lions are called the “King of the Jungle,” but they actually live in grasslands and savannas, not jungles.
A lion’s roar can be heard up to 5 miles away!
Male lions have manes that grow darker as they age, and the darker the mane, the more attractive they are to female lions.
Lions live in groups called prides, usually made up of related females and their cubs.
While male lions are known for their strength, lionesses are the primary hunters for the pride.
Lions spend most of their day resting—up to 20 hours!
A lion’s claws can grow up to 1.5 inches long, and they are retractable, just like a house cat’s.
Lions have powerful teeth designed to tear meat, but they don’t chew; they swallow large chunks of food whole.

Activity Idea:

“The Strength Shields“

What You’ll Need:

Paper or cardboard (to cut into a shield shape).
Crayons, markers, or colored pencils.
Stickers, glitter, or other decorative items.
A pen or pencil.

How to Play:

Help your child cut out a large shield shape from the paper or cardboard.
Divide the shield into sections like a pizza. Each section will represent a unique strength or quality.
Ask your child to think about their best traits, such as bravery, kindness, creativity, or helpfulness. Write or draw each one in a section of the shield.
Decorate the shield with drawings, colors, or stickers that represent these traits.
Once the shield is complete, discuss how these strengths protect them, just like a shield, and how they can always rely on these qualities.
Encourage your child to proudly display their shield in their room as a daily reminder of their strengths.

Why This Works:
This activity reinforces self-awareness and confidence while connecting the concept of personal strengths to a fun, visual metaphor. It’s also interactive, allowing kids to actively reflect and express themselves.

Download Free Coloring Pages Related To This Story

Bring the story to life with coloring pages designed to spark creativity and make story time even more fun. Coloring helps kids express their creativity, improve focus, and reinforce the story’s themes in a fun, engaging way. After reading together, let them bring the story to life with colors!

Click on any of the free coloring pages below to download or print it!

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