For quite some time now, I have been reading to or watching children stories with my 17-month-old son.  It has become our morning routine that even I, myself, look forward to it.  More than the colorful and engaging graphics, the lessons from each story are inspiring.  Indeed, our daily storytelling session has become a learning experience for this mother.  Or at least I am constantly reminded of my morals and be ethical at most times.
I would like to share these stories and their lessons to you as well.  As I always believe these anecdotes offer so much potential to remind us of life experiences and lessons.  It is just amazing these tales often happen in real life, and we just need to be mindful of the morals they impart.
The hare and the  tortoise
Humility and perseverance from The Hare and The Tortoise short story
Once there lived a hare and a tortoise. The hare was very proud of his speed and made fun of the tortoise’s slow pace. The tortoise challenged the hare to a race which the latter accepted.
The race began with the crow as the referee. The hare ran very fast while the tortoise was left behind. The hare, confident the tortoise has no chance to come any near him, took a rest under a tree. He fell asleep. The tortoise passed him and reached the finish line. The hare woke up and ran as fast as he could. But he saw the tortoise already there. He lost the race.
The boys and their school race
Aside from having a 17-month-old son, our family is also blessed with three school-aged boys. Â And we are more than fortunate to see that the boys continue to strive for a better change.
This school quarter, our three boys topped their class.  And they reached that top spot because of their diligence and perseverance. They seldom ask help from their parents.  They review on their own, make their own assignments, and research for their projects.  Just like the tortoise, they keep trying to improve themselves and outdo their past performance.  I have seen in them as well the humility despite the fame and recognition.
The Hare and The Tortoise teaches us humility and perseverance
Aesop’s Fables and its lessons
Aesop’s Fables, which date back to the 5th century BC, is just one of the few of the books I use to read to my child. Â It contains short stories with colorful and attractive illustrations. Â And at the end of each narrative are morals that teach a lesson to children and even adults like me. Â And though most characters of the tales are usually animals who act and talk, the lessons imparted are truly rich and relatable. Â Just like the fable of the hare and the tortoise which can be seen in our everyday story.
Do you have your favorite short story which you would like to share with us as well? Â Would love to hear them from you, please.
It’s amazing how these old stories are still very relevant. Can you imagine each of these stories being thousands of years old! It’s great also that we keep making it relevant thru technology. There are more things to learn that can still be applied today.
Ooh, I can still remember my mom sharing this story with me. I am so happy that your children stay humble even if they’re at the top! 🙂 I would like to share.. When my brother and I were still kids, we used to read Bible stories as we had a Bible for children. I may say that doing that regularly helped us to become more aware of our actions and to strive to become better and God-fearing people. 🙂
benta pa rin talaga tong story ng hare and the tortoise. I remember my mom telling me that story, and now I am also sharing the same story to my 3 year old son. But my son’s fave one now is The lion and the mouse. And I guess, all these short stories comes with a very good moral lesson. 😉
My two kids love The Little Prince and The Richest Man in Babylon. I love that at 5 years and 4 years, they have deep insights about life already!
You must be very proud of your children. These characteristics of perseverance and determination to succeed found at such a young age will definitely ensure you a wonderful future ahead. They’re admirable kids. It’s no doubt that a mom like you has certainly helped shape these kids to be as smart and responsible as they are! 🙂
I remember my childhood with that story! 🙂 Naalala ko pa pinag-uusapan namin ito ng friends ko, like discussion talaga hehehe! Anyway, you have good boys! Nakakatuwa 🙂
Beautiful post. Some of my best friends are new moms now and I’ve heard them say almost the same thing. Re-reading the good old moral stories and applying them to our adulthood helps us see some problems in a new angle!!!
What a great story to teach kids about self development and determination! You can do anything you set your mind to! Ree love30
High five, Berlin! I got to read my children’s books too because I have nothing left to read on my own and I got re-introduced to the simplicity and humor of being a kid (which is an awesome thing, actually). Right now, I’m reading Narnia to my two small kids before going to bed, at least 1 chapter every night. I haven’t read the ones you enumerated above but I’ll find a copy, I’m sure my children would love it too and lessons are always and forever timeless so I’ll definitely be picking those books. 🙂
The Hare and Tortoise is one of my favorite stories as a child and it also one of my favorite reads my children when they were younger. It is a real timeless story.
Hare & Tortoise story still works. I used to tell this story to my daughter every now and then 🙂
That is great that you are teaching your boys lessons through stories. Tortoise and the Hare is a very good one. I personally loved the Uncle Wiggily stories about a gentleman bunny rabbit when I was a child. He taught me to be honest…and also not to be scared of the dentist, haha!
This makes me want to look for a copy of Aesop’s fables to read to my kids in order that they will learn valuable life lessons. My mom used to tell me the story of The boy Who Cried Wolf, and I tell that story to my children, too.
It’s good that you can spend time reading with your children. Nowadays, kids easily got bored and mostly turn to their gadgets to keep them entertained.
I have always known about this story. And I also apply this on in our blogging life. I always say to my partner that though we don’t rise fast like other bloggers. There is no point in comparing one’s self to others. Everything boils down to perseverance and the motivation to reach one’s goal. Let us run the race like the tortoise slowly but surely.
Love reading stories to my kids too. Especially those with moral lessons. Still our favorite bonding every night. 🙂
congrats to your boys who did great in their respective classes. Good job to you too for helping them and teaching good values.
Stories are a great way to reflect on life lessons.I enjoy reading stories like fables and parables that are light reading but deep in values.
The moral story speaks to me on a whole new level. Glad I get to read this post 🙂 I never got to experience having someone to read me a bedtime story, I only knew about short stories like these in my Filipino class. While learning them I didn’t realize that each story is trying to give us an advice that is applicable in life later on..
It’s old but its really an awakening story whish entails a huge lesson for.me as.well, to keeps our feet from them ground, I’m happy that your kids arraigned actually doing it despite being on top. This inspires me to share stories to my little ones
Ang lakas maka-throwback ng story na yan. Affected ako noon sa mga fable/children stories talaga. And now that I am a grown-up (Am I? Really? Haha), it makes me realize a lot of things in life. When I was still a kid kasi, it’s just a story for me. Pero ngayong mas may isip na, the moral of the story hits straight to the heart and makes me want to reflect more about it.
I might read this story again to my pre-k boy. Very timely. 🙂 I have this time with my boys in the morning as well. We watch the Veggie Tales. They are usually 30 min short and I love how simple yet so full of impact each story can be. So easy to grasp the morals and biblical principles that I sometimes use it with adults. I mean the moral of the story. 🙂
I sort of have read Aesop’s Fables back when I was just a small kid. While reading your post, it was like taking a trip down memory lane. Remembering the lessons the book shared is really a nice thing!
I love this story. I learned this when I was young as well. I really stories with a moral in it and some background. I’ve always loved the story of the hare and the tortoise! These stories are so old already, but will always stay relevant. That’s great. That you can learn your kids the same stories you learned when you were younger. And it still applies.
Your post reminds me of my step-son. He’s into reading books – he would even bring his story book at school.
reading open our minds to the world and values
keep reading…………….
I think I read all of Aesop’s Fables as a child.
Perseverance is an important character trait. Even if one is not so talented, but if that person is persevering, that person can end up to be more successful that the one who is talented. That’s why I stress this when teaching my children. They need to learn to persevere and be disciplined if they want to succeed or achieve their goals.
This story started to resonate well with me when I had my son. Given that he has Down syndrome, his progress is slow. But I’ve learned to celebrate every milestone, no matter how big or small. It’s a very humbling experience.
The good old days! I can remember perfectly well how I enjoyed reading and narrating this story to my siblings before, and then, to my children when they were still younger. 🙂
Hihihi. Such fun to remember and reminisce.
Awww you must be very proud of your kids! I grew up on fables, too, but my son prefers funny and silly stories. He’s especially fond of Mo Willems’ stories.
Hahaha. Kids! My two boys are also into funny books. The other one prefers mythology.
Reading stories has been a part of our bedtime routine. And yes, there is so much we can learn from these stories. I bought a set of Usborne books for my kids, some common stories, which we read every night 🙂
Would look for the same book. Weve been rereading old books already. Some, we get online.
We love Aesop’s fables too! The kids love it because of the characters and I love it because of the lesson at the end of it. 🙂
Hihi. And may I add, my boys and I love the drawings and graphics as well..pretty entertaining.
It’s really great that you read books to your little boy. I too spend as much time as I can reading books to bunny. Although her books are more learning books and stories. I think you and your little boy would love the book guess how much i love you. 🙂
As for your boys, congratulations on having 3 hard working ones.
Thank you. I saw how your Bunny would “read.” She is such an adorable cutie.
Thise were virtues that were really important to be a person of character.. 🙂
Couldn’t agree more 🙂
Congrats on your parenting skills. A child’s character reflects that of his/her parents. I love the story of the Hare and the Tortoise, too but I can relate more with Hare! hahaha
Thank you. The hare has such load and impressive character. I remember when we do plays at school, I would love to be the villain. He shows stronger character. Ihihi
I love reading books with moral lessons to my son when he was younger. It’s a great way of imparting good values to him at such a young age.
I couldn’t agree more. Plus such nice way to bond with our kids.
You are so blessed to have intelligent kids and all boys. Konti nalang ang mabait na boys these days.
Thank you for the kind words.
I love classic children’s stories. This is one that really stood out for me when I was a kid. It has helped shape my belief system.
Love classic stories too. They have lessons that are sometimes to hard to comprehend but will surely make a mark on you.
How I love to read when I was a kid. I’ve got cool books featuring fables, short stories and traditional Disney type story books. Would you believe that most of my childhood books are still around? I admire that you are taking time to read with your baby since I could only remember reading alone in a sad corner of our big house..Oh well, but I still hold in my heart the lessons that I’ve learned from these books.
Reading can be real fun even if we do it alone or with a company. I admire you as well for your eaagerness to read as such an early age. And wow! Seeing those books around is pretty impressive.
I remember that I always read this short story when i was a kid also the lady bugs books.
I think this kind book is also nice for my daughter to read.
Your daughter will surely love those stories. I will look for those lady bugs books as well.
Classic story with good moral values applicable to kids of all ages. And adults too! May I also suggest “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle and the Bee series by Grace Chong published by Hiyas. Short lines that your 17-month-old may learn to repeat and will encourage learning of “sight words”. Will make it easier for your child to learn how to read later on.
Thanks for these titles. They are new to me. Will surely look for those.
Absolutely loved this post! Who will not love this kind of story? This has been one of my favorites. It is awesome how can literary pieces like this can guide us. Even though it looks like a story for kiddos, it can also be good for adults. From time to time, we need to be reminded of simple stories like this because at times, it mirrors of who we are as a person.