The Golden Goose

In a cozy little village, there lived a kind, but poor farmer named Tom. One day, while tending to his farm, Tom stumbled upon a very special goose. This was no ordinary goose, for when Tom checked the goose’s nest, he found a shiny golden egg! He couldn’t believe his eyes.

“Wow! A golden egg!” Tom exclaimed, holding it up to the sunlight. He quickly ran to the market, sold the egg, and earned more money than he had ever seen before. Each morning, the goose would lay another golden egg, and soon Tom was no longer poor. He built a bigger house, bought better clothes, and had plenty of food.

But as Tom became wealthier, something changed in his heart. The more golden eggs he had, the more he wanted. “Why wait for the goose to lay just one egg a day?” he thought. “If I could get all the gold at once, I’d be the richest man in the world!”

One morning, in his greed, Tom made a terrible decision. “I’ll just cut the goose open and take all the gold inside,” he said to himself. Without thinking twice, he grabbed a knife and killed the goose. But to his shock, when he opened the goose, there were no golden eggs inside. It was just an ordinary goose, like any other.

Tom dropped to his knees, heartbroken. “What have I done?” he cried. “I was rich because of this goose, and now I’ve lost everything.”

From that day on, Tom learned a painful lesson. His greed had cost him the golden eggs and the special goose that had given him so much.

Moral:

Greed can ruin good fortune.

Additional Lessons:

• Greed: Tom’s greed leads him to make a foolish decision that costs him everything he had gained.
• Wisdom: The story conveys the wisdom that it is important to appreciate what you have rather than seeking more out of greed, which can result in losing it all.

Parenting Tip: Use this story to teach your child about patience and gratitude. Explain that rushing or being greedy can ruin the good things they already have. Help them recognize the value of appreciating what they have instead of always wanting more.

Fun Questions for Curious Kids

1. Why do you think Tom was so excited about the golden eggs?
2. How did the golden goose change Tom’s life?
3. Why did Tom decide to cut the goose open?
4. What would you have done if you had the golden goose?
5. How do you think Tom felt after losing the goose?
6. Can you think of a time when being patient helped you?
7. What lesson do you think Tom learned from this story?

Did You Know? Fun Goose and Gold Facts!

1. Geese are very loyal and mate for life! They often stay with their partner year-round.
2. Golden eggs don’t exist in real life, but gold has been treasured for thousands of years!
3. A group of geese on land is called a “gaggle,” while in flight, they’re called a “skein” or “wedge.”
4. Some geese migrate thousands of miles every year, flying in a V-formation to conserve energy.
5. The phrase “golden egg” symbolizes great wealth or opportunity in many cultures.
6. Gold is so malleable that just one ounce can be stretched into a wire over five miles long!
7. Geese are known for their protective nature—they will bravely guard their nests and goslings.
8. The ancient Greeks believed that geese were sacred to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.
9. Gold has been used to make jewelry, coins, and even edible decorations on fancy desserts.
10. In folklore, magical animals, like the golden goose, often teach lessons about greed and gratitude.

Activity Idea:

Make a “golden egg craft” at home! Use a boiled egg or a paper cutout and paint it gold. Let your child decorate it with glitter, stickers, or patterns. This craft can help remind them of the story’s moral about patience and gratitude.

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!