The Gosling and the Frog - A German Fairy Tale about Friendship and Learning

Short Description:

The Gosling and the Frog is a German fairy tale about a little gosling who is afraid of the water. With the help of a wise frog, he learns to swim and overcomes his fears.

At the edge of a large lake, where tall reeds swayed in the wind, lived a little gosling named Max. He loved to play on the shore, but every time his siblings swam in the water, Max stayed on dry land. — Come join us! — they called to him. — No, I’m fine here! — Max replied. In fact, he was afraid of the water. He worried that his little feet wouldn’t be strong enough to keep him on the surface and that he might drown. But he never told anyone about his fears.

One day, while strolling along the shore, he heard croaking. Under a large leaf sat a frog. The frog was looking attentively at the gosling with its bright eyes. — Why aren’t you swimming? — asked the frog. — You’re a gosling, water is your home. Max shyly lowered his gaze. — I’m afraid I’ll drown, — he quietly admitted. The frog thought for a moment and then said: — I can help you. If you want, I’ll show you how to move so that the water will carry you.

The next day, the frog led Max to the edge of the water. — Watch me, — the frog said. — Water is not scary. If you move the right way, it will become your friend. The frog skillfully jumped into the water and began swimming, showing how its legs worked. Max watched carefully, but he still hesitated to step in. — Come on, just try! — the frog urged. — Start with one step. Max slowly stepped into the water. It touched his feet, and he shivered. But the frog continued: — Now move your feet like I showed you. See, you’re staying up! Max tried. He carefully waved his feet, and suddenly he felt the water supporting him. — I’m swimming! — he exclaimed. — Look, I’m swimming!

The frog nodded approvingly. — See? The most important thing is not to be afraid. The water wants to be your friend if you trust it. From that moment on, Max was no longer afraid to swim. He eagerly dived into the lake with his brothers and sisters, and the frog became his loyal friend. She not only taught him how to swim, but also how to be brave when facing something new.

In the evening, when the sun was setting behind the horizon, Max thanked the frog: — Thank you! Now I understand that fear can be overcome when you listen to those who want to help. The frog smiled and disappeared under the leaf, and the gosling happily went home, feeling like the happiest gosling in the world.

Moral of the Story:

The story teaches us that fear can be overcome with the help of a loyal friend. New things always seem scary, but by taking it step by step, you can achieve a lot.

Questions for Children:

1. Why was Max afraid of the water?
2. How did the frog help him overcome his fear?
3. What does this story teach us?