The Peacock and the Wren – Reading Comprehension
A boastful peacock and a small wren settle an argument about who is more useful.
The Peacock and the Wren
Name:Date:Score:
Read the story, then answer the questions.
- 0The Peacock and the WrenA fable
“Look at my tail!” the peacock cried. “I am the most beautiful bird in the forest, and so I am the most important.”
The wren said, “Beauty is nice, but I can fit into places you cannot.”
That night, a baby snake slid into the nest of a dove. The peacock's great tail got caught in the thorn bush as he tried to help. But the wren slipped through the thorns, woke the dove, and the snake fled.
In the morning the peacock bowed his head. “I was wrong,” he said. “Everyone has a gift.”
- 1What was the peacock proud of?
- 2Why could the peacock not help? A His tail was caught in thorns B He was asleep C He was afraid of snakes
- 3What did the wren do?
- 4How did the peacock change? A He became more humble B He grew angrier C He learnt to hide
- 5What is the moral? A Everyone has a gift B Snakes are scary C Thorns are sharp
Printable Worksheets for Kids · printableworksheetsforkids.pages.dev
Answer key — Sheet A (5 answers)
- 1. His beautiful tail.
- 2. A – His tail was caught in thorns
- 3. She slipped through the thorns and woke the dove.
- 4. A – He became more humble
- 5. A – Everyone has a gift
About this skill
A fable about pride and usefulness. Discuss: what talents does each character have?
How to teach it
- Ask children to say the moral in their own words.
- Compare fables from different countries.
- Act out the story with soft toys.
Mistakes to watch for
- Stating the moral without explaining what happened to prove it.
Where to go next
- The Fox and the Fishing Net – Reading ComprehensionG2, G3 · Fables
- The Tortoise and the Monsoon – Reading ComprehensionG2, G3 · Fables
- The Ant and the Dewdrop – Reading ComprehensionG1, G2 · Fables
- The Boy and the River Stones – Reading ComprehensionG3, G4 · Fables
- The Crow Who Shared – Reading ComprehensionG1, G2 · Fables
- The Heron and the Frogs – Reading ComprehensionG1, G2 · Fables
