The Clever Goose – An English Folk Tale about Ingenuity and Courage

Summary: This English folk tale tells how a goose used his wit and courage to outsmart hunters and save all the birds living by the lake. The story teaches the importance of resourcefulness and collective defense.

On the edge of a large village, near a quiet lake, lived a goose named Wilbur. He was known among his feathered friends as the bravest and smartest. Wilbur always came up with clever ways to protect the lake from danger, and his friends knew they could rely on him.

One day, hunters arrived in the village. They brought nets and traps, intending to catch as many birds as possible. They watched the lake from afar and came early in the morning to set up their nets and hide in the bushes. When the birds began to gather at the water, the hunters pulled the net tight, capturing many of them.

Wilbur, seeing his friends trapped, didn’t hesitate. He flew up to the net and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll find a way to free you.” The hunters, noticing one goose outside the net, decided to catch him later, thinking he posed no threat. But Wilbur had already started his plan. He told the birds, “When I give the signal, start making noise and flapping your wings to distract the hunters.”

The goose flew around the hunters, looking for a weak point in the net. He spotted a knot that wasn’t tied very securely. “This is our chance!” he whispered to his friends. Then Wilbur gave a loud cry. All the birds began squawking, flapping their wings, and moving wildly.

While the hunters tried to figure out what was happening, Wilbur used his beak to untie the loose knot. The net fell apart, and one by one, the birds began escaping. The hunters, seeing their catch slipping away, tried to grab at least one goose. But Wilbur flew right in front of them and knocked their hats into the water. “Now you definitely won’t catch us!” he shouted cheerfully, flapping his wings triumphantly.

Once all the birds were safe, they gathered on the other side of the lake. “Wilbur, you saved us!” cried the ducks. Even the swans, who usually kept to themselves, thanked the goose for his bravery and cleverness. Wilbur smiled and said, “I just did what had to be done. If we stick together, no one can defeat us.”

From that day on, the hunters never returned to the lake, and the birds lived in peace and harmony. They always remembered the lesson Wilbur had taught them: ingenuity and unity are the best defenses against any danger.

Moral of the Story: This English folk tale teaches us that resourcefulness and bravery can save the day even in the toughest situations. Unity makes us stronger in the face of any threat.

Questions for Discussion:

• Why did Wilbur choose to act instead of simply flying away?
• How did his plan save all the birds?
• What lessons does this story teach about ingenuity and collective defense?