The purpose of this fable is to illustrate the dangers of having too much pride. The story contrasts the strong but proud Oak that falls in a storm with the flexible Reed that survives by bending, teaching a lesson about humility and adaptability.
e Oak and the Reedby AesopOn the bank of a river grew a tall Oak Tree. It stood with its roots firm in the ground, and its head high in the air, and said to itself: “How strong I am! Nothing shall make me bow. I look down upon all the other trees.”But one day there was a storm. The terrible unseen wind came and struck the proud Oak. Crash! went the trunk, down came all the beautiful branches, and the Tree fell into the river. As the water carried it away, it passed a Reed that grew on the bank. The little Reed stood up tall and slender, and looked at the poor broken Tree.“O Reed,” said the Tree, “how did it happen that you were not broken down and spoiled when the wind came? You are so little and weak, and I was so strong and proud.”“Ah, poor Tree!” said the Reed, “that is just the reason that the wind did not hurt me. I bent low until it had gone by, but you stood stiff and tried to stop it on its way. No one can stop the wind. It must go where it is sent, but it will not hurt those who are not proud and stubborn.”"The Oak and the Reed" from Aesop's Fables by AesopQuestionUse the passage to answer the question.What is the purpose of this fable?(1 point)Responsesto explain why oak trees are so tallto explain why oak trees are so tallto convey the cruelty of natureto convey the cruelty of natureto illustrate the dangers of having too much prideto illustrate the dangers of having too much prideto teach people to be more like oak trees and less like reedsto teach people to be more like oak trees and less like reeds
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