The Fox and the Grapes facts for kids
The Fox and the Grapes is a famous fable by Aesop. It tells the story of a fox who sees some tasty-looking grapes hanging high on a vine. The fox tries very hard to reach the grapes, jumping and stretching, but they are just too high. Since he cannot get them, he tells himself that the grapes are probably sour and not worth eating anyway.
This fable teaches us about a human behavior called cognitive dissonance. It is when someone changes their mind about something to feel better when they can't get what they want. The common English saying "sour grapes" comes from this fable. It means pretending you didn't want something after you couldn't get it.
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The Fox and the Grapes Fable
This well-known story comes from Aesop, a storyteller believed to have lived in ancient Greece. Aesop's fables are short tales that often feature animals. These animals act like humans and teach a moral lesson. "The Fox and the Grapes" is one of his most popular stories.
What the Fable Means
The main idea of this fable is about how we deal with disappointment. When the fox cannot reach the grapes, he changes his opinion of them. Instead of admitting he failed, he decides the grapes were bad to begin with. This makes him feel better about not getting them.
Understanding "Sour Grapes"
The phrase "sour grapes" is used today to describe someone who acts like they didn't want something after they couldn't have it. For example, if a student doesn't get picked for a sports team, they might say, "I didn't want to play on that team anyway!" This is an example of "sour grapes." It's a way to protect feelings when things don't go as planned.
Images for kids
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An illustration of the fable by François Chauveau from La Fontaine's fables, 1668
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Pierre Julien's sculpture of La Fontaine with a fox
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A wooden panel from an 18th-century chest of drawers
See also
In Spanish: La zorra y las uvas para niños
