The Mole and His Mother – An Aesop Fable for Children

One day, a young Mole was talking with his mother inside their underground home.
He had become very proud of himself and was eager to show how clever he was.
“Mother,” he said, “you have always told me that moles are blind.”
“That is true,” replied his mother.
“Well,” said the little Mole confidently, “I think you are mistaken. I am sure I can see perfectly well!”
Mother Mole smiled.
She knew her son was boasting, and she decided to teach him a lesson.
Without saying another word, she placed a small piece of fragrant frankincense on the ground in front of him.
“Very well,” she said. “If your eyes are as good as you claim, tell me what this is.”
The little Mole leaned forward and squinted.
He examined it carefully.
Then he announced proudly,
“Why, that’s easy! It’s a pebble.”
Mother Mole shook her head.
“My son,” she said gently, “that is not a pebble. It is a piece of frankincense.”
The little Mole looked confused.
His mother continued,
“If you cannot recognize something by sight, that is one thing. But frankincense has a very strong smell. The fact that you could not identify it means you failed to use your nose as well.”
The little Mole lowered his head.
He realized that his pride had made him claim abilities he did not have.
From that day on, he was much more careful about boasting.

Moral: Those who boast too much often reveal their own weaknesses.