On a sunny afternoon, a proud stag wandered into a quiet forest pool to quench his thirst. As he leaned down to drink, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the water. “Ah, look at my antlers,” he said with pride. “They are so grand and beautiful!” Then he glanced at his legs and frowned. “But these thin legs of mine—they look so weak and unimpressive.”

As the stag admired himself, he suddenly heard the sound of hunters and their dogs nearby. Alarmed, he bolted through the forest, his legs moving swiftly to carry him away. “Maybe my legs aren’t so bad after all,” he thought as he sped away from danger.

But just as he was about to escape, his magnificent antlers got caught in the thick branches of a tree. He struggled and tugged, but the more he moved, the more trapped he became. Luckily, with one final pull, he managed to free himself and run to safety.

Panting and shaken, the stag realized something important. “I thought my legs were worthless, but they saved me. And my antlers, which I admired so much, nearly cost me my life.”

Moral:

Value what is truly helpful, not just what looks impressive.

Parenting Tip: Use this story to teach kids about appreciating inner qualities over outward appearances. Encourage them to reflect on how their skills and abilities matter more than looks or possessions.

Fun Questions For Curious Kids

1. Why do you think the stag loved his antlers so much?
2. How did his legs save him from danger?
3. What would you have done if you were the stag trapped in the branches?
4. Can you think of something you have that’s more helpful than it looks?
5. Why is it important to value what’s useful and not just what looks good?

Activity Idea: Value Sort Challenge

Create a fun game to help kids understand the concept of value versus appearance.
What You’ll Need:

• A mix of objects: some useful (e.g., a flashlight, a spoon) and some decorative (e.g., a shiny rock, a ribbon).
• Two labeled jars: “Helpful” and “Pretty.”

How to Play:

1. Show the child each object one at a time.
2. Ask them to place it in the jar they think best fits the item.
3. Once all items are sorted, discuss how helpful things sometimes look simple but play a big role, just like the stag’s legs!

Did You Know? Fun Stag Facts!

1. Stags (male deer) grow and shed their antlers every year! New antlers grow faster than any other bone in a mammal’s body.
2. Antlers are used not just for display but also to defend against predators and rivals.
3. A stag’s thin legs are incredibly strong, allowing them to leap up to 10 feet high and run up to 30 miles per hour!
4. In many cultures, stags symbolize leadership, strength, and protection.
5. Unlike horns, which are permanent, antlers are shed and regrown annually, making them a renewable resource for the animal.

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!