In a quiet garden, a wise old owl tried to take a peaceful nap in her cozy tree. But the loud chirping of a grasshopper nearby kept waking her up! “Why can’t I get some rest?” she grumbled.

Frustrated, the owl called out to the grasshopper, “Hey, come over here! Let me hear your music better!” The grasshopper hopped over, proud of his chirping.

But before he knew it, the clever owl quickly swooped down and—snap!—the grasshopper was gone. The owl shook her head and sighed, “Flattery can sometimes hide danger.”

As she settled down for a nap, she realized that being too trusting can lead to trouble. The wise owl learned to be careful about whom she listened to.

Moral:

Flattery can sometimes hide danger.

Parenting Tip: Teach your child the importance of being cautious when someone is being overly complimentary. While it’s nice to hear kind words, sometimes flattery can be used to distract or manipulate. Encourage your child to always think carefully before trusting someone, especially if their actions don’t match their words. This lesson can help children avoid situations where they might be taken advantage of.

Fun Questions for Curious Kids

• Why do you think the owl got tricked by the grasshopper’s flattery?
• Have you ever heard someone compliment you just to get something from you? How did you feel?
• What do you think the grasshopper was trying to do when he flattered the owl?
• Can you think of a time when someone used flattery to get what they wanted? How could the owl have handled the situation differently?
• What would you do if someone said something really nice to you, but you weren’t sure about their intentions?
• Why do you think the owl didn’t trust the grasshopper’s compliments at first?
• Do you think all compliments are bad? When is it okay to accept a compliment?

Activity Idea

Compliment or Trick?
Create a list of compliments and scenarios where a compliment might be used as a trick. Ask your child to decide whether the compliment is sincere or if the person might be trying to get something in return. This will help them think critically about the intentions behind words.

Did You Know? Fun Facts About Owls and Grasshoppers

1. Owls can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees! This helps them see without moving their bodies.
2. There are over 200 species of owls around the world, and they can be found on every continent except Antarctica.
3. Owls have specialized feathers that help them fly silently, making them excellent hunters at night.
4. Grasshoppers have long, powerful legs that they use to jump distances up to 20 times their body length!
5. Grasshoppers are part of a group of insects called “orthopterans,” which also includes crickets and locusts.
6. An owl’s hearing is so precise that they can locate prey by sound alone, even in complete darkness.
7. Grasshoppers communicate by rubbing their legs together, creating a chirping sound that can be heard from far away.
8. Owls’ eyes are so large in proportion to their heads that they cannot move them. Instead, they turn their heads to look around.
9. Some grasshoppers can live for several months in dry, warm environments by going into a state of dormancy during tough times.
10. Owls can see in low light, which makes them expert hunters in the dark, especially for nocturnal prey like mice.

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!

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