Down by the river, two pots were floating gently along. One was made of strong, shiny brass, while the other was made of delicate, soft clay. As they drifted with the current, the brass pot called out, “Watch out! If we bump into each other, you’ll break into pieces.”

The clay pot nodded and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep my distance. I know I’m not as strong as you.” They both continued their journey down the river, moving carefully to avoid crashing into each other.

The brass pot made sure to give the clay pot plenty of space, and the clay pot stayed far enough away to stay safe. In the end, they both enjoyed the gentle ride down the river, understanding that the strong should always protect and care for the weak.

Moral:

Those who are strong should be careful not to harm those who are fragile.

Additional Lessons:

• Caring: The brass pot and the clay pot navigate their journey with consideration for each other’s strengths and weaknesses, demonstrating care and caution.
• Empathy: The story reflects an understanding of others’ vulnerabilities and the importance of acting with kindness and thoughtfulness.

Parenting Tip: Use this story to teach children about empathy and responsibility. Encourage them to understand the importance of using their strengths—whether physical or emotional—to protect and support others, just like the brass pot did for the clay pot.

Fun Questions for Curious Kids

• Why do you think the clay pot was worried about bumping into the brass pot?
• If you were the brass pot, how would you help the clay pot feel safe?
• Have you ever been gentle with something fragile? What was it?
• Why is it important for stronger people to take care of others?
• Imagine you’re a pot—what kind of pot would you be? Brass, clay, or something else?
• What other things float down rivers like the two pots?
• How can we make sure we don’t hurt others with our words or actions?

Did You Know? Fun Facts About Materials and Rivers

1. Brass is an alloy made from copper and zinc. It’s strong and doesn’t rust, which is why it’s used for things like musical instruments and coins.
2. Clay is one of the oldest materials used to make pottery. Archaeologists have found clay pots that are over 10,000 years old!
3. Rivers are nature’s highways, used for thousands of years to transport goods and people.
4. Some rivers are so powerful that they can shape entire landscapes, carving valleys and canyons over time.
5. The Nile River is the longest river in the world, stretching over 4,000 miles!
6. Clay becomes strong and durable when fired in a kiln, but it’s still more fragile than metals like brass.
7. Rivers are home to countless plants and animals, including otters, fish, and even rare freshwater dolphins!
8. Pottery is both an art and a science—artists must carefully balance the clay’s moisture and shape before firing.

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!