The Crow and the Pitcher – illustration

Classic Tales · A retelling of an Aesop fable

The Crow and the Pitcher

A thirsty crow searches for water on a scorching day. He finds a pitcher, but the water is too low to reach. With a clever idea and unwavering determination, he sets about solving his problem, hoping to quench his thirst at last.

Illustration from the story The Crow and the Pitcher

A Crow Seeks Water

Once upon a time, in a land filled with tales and wonders, there was a story told for generations. This story, known as "The Crow and the Pitcher," comes from the ancient collection of Aesop's fables. Imagine, if you will, a scorching hot summer day. The sun blazed down from the sky, making every creature search for shade. In this heat, a thirsty crow flew from place to place, looking for something to drink. His journey brought him to a pitcher, which, to his delight, contained some water.

The Problem

Our feathered friend, the crow, was parched. His throat felt as dry as the desert sand, and all he dreamt of was a sip of cool water. There, right before his eyes, was a pitcher. But oh, what a tease it was! The water was there, yet it lay just beyond his reach, deep at the bottom of the pitcher. Imagine his frustration and disappointment, finding the solution to his thirst but not being able to reach it. It was like finding a treasure chest but not having the key.

The Solution

The Clever Idea

Under the blazing sun, our feathered friend, the crow, felt his throat parch as dry as the desert sand. Eyes darting around in desperation, he spotted a handful of pebbles scattered on the ground. A lightbulb moment! "Why not drop these little stones into the pitcher?" he thought, his mind buzzing with excitement over this newfound solution. "If I add enough pebbles, maybe, just maybe, the water will rise high enough for me to take a sip."

The Process

With determination in his step, the crow picked up the first pebble, his beak grasping it firmly. He flew over to the pitcher and dropped it in. Plink! A tiny ripple spread across the water's surface—a small victory, but not nearly enough. Undeterred, he went back for another pebble, and then another and another. Each trip to the pitcher was a small step towards his goal; each pebble dropped was a testament to his unwavering resolve. With every stone that made its splash, the water inched ever so slightly higher, teasing the crow with its glistening surface.

The Reward

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity under the sun's unforgiving gaze, the water crept close enough to the brim for the crow to stretch out his neck and dip his beak in. That first drop of cool water was like a sweet melody to his parched throat, more refreshing than anything he'd ever tasted. With each gulp, his spirits soared, his body rejuvenated. The satisfaction of quenching his thirst was only surpassed by the pride he felt in his cleverness and persistence.

What We Learn From The Crow

This tale teaches us never to give up, no matter how tough the situation might seem. The crow faced a seemingly impossible challenge, but with persistence, determination, and a bit of creativity, he found a solution. Let's remember the value of thinking outside the box and solving problems in innovative ways.

The End

Next story: The Crow and the Swan
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About this story

This story is a quick, engaging read for a child who enjoys problem-solving. It's an adventurous tale that leaves children feeling inspired by the crow's cleverness and determination. Perfect for a night when you want a short, uplifting story from the Classic Tales collection. It suits Ages 3–7 well, offering a gentle reminder about perseverance without any frightening elements.

Read this next

  • The Hare and the Tortoise 6 min · Ages 3–7This story also celebrates perseverance and the rewards of steady effort, offering a gentle contrast to the crow's quick thinking.
  • The Fox and the Stork 7 min · Ages 3–7Explore another Classic Tale where cleverness is key, this time highlighting the importance of fairness and empathy in friendships.

Talk about it

The lesson

When things are tough, never give up; use your clever mind to find a way.

Questions to ask

  1. What did the crow really want to do?
  2. What did the crow use to make the water rise?
  3. How do you think the crow felt when he finally drank?
  4. Can you remember a time you had to think hard to solve a problem?

Words to know

scorching
Very, very hot, like the sun on a summer's day.
parched
Feeling extremely thirsty and dry.
frustration
Feeling annoyed or upset because you can't do something.
undeterred
Not stopped or put off by problems.
persistence
Keeping on trying, even when it's difficult.
rejuvenated
Feeling fresh and full of energy again.

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