Story Creatures: Live

Once upon a time, on a very hot summer day, a fox was walking through the countryside. The sun was high in the sky. The fox was hungry, and he had been walking for a long, long time.

His tummy rumbled and grumbled. 'Oh, I am so hungry!' said the fox. 'I would give anything for something yummy to eat.' He sniffed the warm air with his little black nose.

Then the fox came to a beautiful vineyard. Tall wooden posts held up long green vines. The leaves rustled gently in the breeze. It was the prettiest garden the fox had ever seen.

And there, hanging high above his head, the fox spotted the most beautiful bunch of grapes. They were big and round and purple. They glistened in the sunshine like little jewels.

The fox licked his lips. 'Oh my!' he said. 'Those grapes look so sweet and juicy! They would be the perfect snack on this hot day.' His mouth watered just thinking about how delicious they would taste.

The fox backed up a few steps. He wiggled his back legs. Then he jumped! He jumped as high as he possibly could, stretching his front paws up toward the grapes.

But the grapes were too high! His paws grabbed at nothing but air. The fox landed back on the ground with a soft thump. 'Oh!' he said. 'They are higher than I thought!

But the fox did not give up. 'I can do this!' he said bravely. He backed up even further this time. He took a running start and jumped with all his might!

He jumped even higher this time! His paws almost touched the bottom of the bunch. Almost! But not quite. The grapes dangled just out of reach, teasing him.

The fox sat down to think. He looked at the grapes. He looked at his legs. 'One more try,' he said. 'I just need to jump a little bit higher.' He took a deep breath.

The fox ran as fast as his legs could carry him. He pushed off the ground with all four paws. He jumped higher than he had ever jumped before! He stretched and stretched and stretched!

But it was no use. The grapes were still too high. The fox came tumbling back down to the soft grass. He lay there for a moment, catching his breath.

The fox was getting very tired. His legs were sore from all the jumping. Sweat dripped from his nose. But those beautiful grapes still hung way up high, swaying gently in the breeze.

The fox tried one last time. He backed up very far. He ran very fast. He jumped with every bit of strength he had left. Up, up, up he went!

But it was not enough. The beautiful purple grapes stayed right where they were, far above his head. The fox landed on the ground one last time. He could not reach the grapes. Not even close.

The fox sat there, staring at the grapes. He felt frustrated. He felt embarrassed. He had tried so hard, but those grapes were just too high for any fox to reach.

Then the fox had an idea. If he could not have the grapes, then he would pretend he did not want them! That way, he would not feel so bad. He lifted his chin high.

Hmph!' said the fox loudly. 'I do not even want those silly grapes. I am sure they are sour! Yes, those grapes are definitely sour and not worth eating at all!

The fox turned his back on the beautiful grapes. He stuck his nose straight up in the air. 'Sour grapes!' he said again, just to make sure everyone heard him.

And so the fox walked away from the vineyard. He walked with his head held high, pretending he did not care one bit. But deep down inside, he really did wish he could have had those grapes.

Back in the vineyard, the beautiful purple grapes still hung from the vine. They were just as sweet and juicy as they looked. They swayed gently in the warm evening breeze.

Far down the road, the fox stopped. He looked back one more time at the vineyard. He sighed a tiny little sigh. Then he kept walking, with his nose in the air.

And that is why people sometimes say 'sour grapes.' It means when someone pretends they do not want something, just because they cannot have it. The fox wanted the grapes very much. But he said they were sour so he would not feel sad.

It is always better to be honest about how we feel, even when things do not go our way. The End.