One sunny afternoon, a tiny little gnat buzzed around, looking for a spot to rest. As he flew by, he spotted a big, strong bull standing calmly in the field, chewing on some grass. The gnat thought to himself, “What a perfect place to rest!”

He landed right on the bull’s horn and proudly said, “Excuse me, do you mind if I sit here for a while?” The bull looked around, confused, not even noticing the little gnat at first. But when he did, he chuckled. “Mind? I hardly even noticed you were there!” the bull said, shaking his big head.

The gnat, feeling a bit silly, puffed up his tiny chest and replied, “Well, I’m here now!” The bull just shrugged and went back to chewing his grass.

After a while, the gnat realized that his big entrance hadn’t mattered to the bull at all. He learned that sometimes, we think we’re much more important than we really are.

Moral:

Don’t think you’re more important than you are. Sometimes, things aren’t all about you.

Additional Lessons:

• Humility: The gnat’s realization emphasizes the importance of not overestimating one’s significance.
• Wisdom: It conveys the lesson of understanding one’s true place and perspective in the bigger picture.

Parenting Tip: Teach your child the value of humility and perspective. Just like the gnat, we sometimes overestimate our impact on others. Encourage your child to reflect on how their actions or words fit into the bigger picture and to approach situations with kindness and modesty.

Fun Questions for Curious Kids

• Why do you think the gnat thought he was so important to the bull?
• What would you say to the gnat if you were the bull?
• Have you ever felt like the gnat—thinking something you did was a big deal but others didn’t notice? How did it feel?
• How do you think the bull felt about the gnat sitting on his horn?
• If you could be any tiny insect, like a gnat, which one would you choose and why?
• Why do you think it’s important not to take ourselves too seriously?

Did You Know? Fun Animal Facts

1. Gnats are tiny flies often found near water or damp areas. They may be small, but they’re excellent fliers!
2. Bulls are adult male cattle and are known for their strength and calm demeanor, but they can be very protective of their herd.
3. Gnats don’t live long—usually just a few weeks—but they play an important role in ecosystems by helping break down organic matter.
4. Bulls chew their food twice! They regurgitate partially digested food, called cud, and chew it again to aid digestion.
5. Some gnat species are pollinators, helping plants grow by transferring pollen between flowers.
6. Bulls have an excellent sense of smell and can detect scents from miles away!
7. A group of gnats is sometimes called a cloud or a horde because of how they gather in large swarms.
8. Despite their size, gnats are very strong for their weight and can fly long distances in search of food.

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!