What is the moral of The Fox and the Grapes?

People often pretend they never wanted what they could not get. The fox fails to reach the grapes and then claims they were sour anyway, which is where the phrase sour grapes comes from.

Who wrote The Fox and the Grapes?

It is one of Aesop's Fables, traditionally credited to Aesop, a storyteller said to have lived in ancient Greece around the sixth century BCE. It was later retold by many writers, including Jean de La Fontaine in France; this version is a VoiceSmiths retelling.

What age is The Fox and the Grapes for?

It suits children from about 4 to 9. Younger children enjoy the funny jumps, and older children can learn what sour grapes means when people say it.

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Fable · 声匠改编 · 3:24

The Fox and the Grapes

A hungry fox jumps and jumps for grapes he cannot reach, refuses help, then declares them sour. The Aesop fable behind the phrase sour grapes, retold.

Narrator

The Fox

The Crow

The Goat

Little Rabbit

0:000:00

About this story

The Fox and the Grapes is one of Aesop's Fables, the short moral tales handed down from ancient Greece, and it gave English the phrase sour grapes. This VoiceSmiths retelling adds a cheeky crow, a helpful goat and a curious little rabbit, so the fox's failed jumps and proud excuses play out as a funny full-cast audio story.

What it teaches

It is easy to look down on something you could not get. Being honest about failing, and willing to ask for help, takes more courage than pretending you never wanted it.

Suits

Ages 4–9

Tips for telling it

After the fox calls the grapes sour, ask: does he really think so? Why would he say that?
Explain the everyday phrase sour grapes and ask children to spot it in their own lives.
Talk about the goat's offer: why didn't the fox accept help, and what would have happened if he had?

Questions people ask

What is the moral of The Fox and the Grapes?: People often pretend they never wanted what they could not get. The fox fails to reach the grapes and then claims they were sour anyway, which is where the phrase sour grapes comes from.
Who wrote The Fox and the Grapes?: It is one of Aesop's Fables, traditionally credited to Aesop, a storyteller said to have lived in ancient Greece around the sixth century BCE. It was later retold by many writers, including Jean de La Fontaine in France; this version is a VoiceSmiths retelling.
What age is The Fox and the Grapes for?: It suits children from about 4 to 9. Younger children enjoy the funny jumps, and older children can learn what sour grapes means when people say it.

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