The Boy And The Filberts

Summary

This story is about a boy who learns a valuable lesson about greed and contentment. He attempts to take a large fistful of filberts (hazelnuts) from a pitcher but finds that his hand, now filled with nuts, cannot fit back out. As he becomes upset, his mother advises him to take only half of the nuts in order to free his hand and suggests that he might have more later. The narrative illustrates the idea that sometimes, by wanting too much at once, we end up with nothing, whereas being satisfied with a smaller amount can lead to more rewards in the future. This moral teaches children the importance of moderation and patience.

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A Boy was given permission to put his hand into a pitcher to get some filberts. But he took such a great fistful that he could not draw his hand out again. There he stood, unwilling to give up a single filbert and yet unable to get them all out at once. Vexed and disappointed he began to cry.

“My boy,” said his mother, “be satisfied with half the nuts you have taken and you will easily get your hand out. Then perhaps you may have some more filberts some other time.”