Short Story on Greed for Kids: The Greedy Dog
This short story on greed is our retelling of an old fable, “The Dog and His Reflection”. It takes about 3 minutes to read and suits children in class 1 to 5.
🦴 The Big Bone
Once upon a time, a hungry brown dog named Bruno wandered through a village looking for food. Near the butcher’s shop, he found a big, juicy bone lying on the ground.
“What luck!” thought Bruno. He picked it up in his mouth and ran off before anyone could take it. “I’ll eat this in peace at home.”
🌉 The Bridge Over the River
To get home, Bruno had to cross a narrow wooden bridge over a calm, clear river. Halfway across, he looked down into the water.
There, looking back at him, was another dog — with another big, juicy bone in its mouth!
Bruno did not know it was only his own reflection. His eyes grew wide. That bone looks even bigger than mine, he thought. If I scare that dog away, I’ll have two bones!
🐕 One Loud Bark
Bruno puffed out his chest, growled, and opened his mouth wide to bark at the other dog.
“WOOF!”
Splash! His own bone fell out of his mouth and dropped into the river. It sank down, down, down, and the current carried it away.
When the ripples cleared, the “other dog” was back — but now it had no bone either.
😔 Going Home Hungry
Bruno stood on the bridge for a long time. He had had a big, juicy bone, and now he had nothing at all.
He walked home slowly, his tail between his legs, and his tummy rumbling. “If only I had been happy with what I had,” he said sadly.
💡 Moral of the Story
Greed can make you lose what you already have. Be happy with what you have instead of always wanting more.
🗣️ Questions to Ask Your Child
1. What did Bruno see in the river? 2. Why did Bruno lose his bone? 3. What could Bruno have done to keep his bone?
📚 More Moral Stories
- Short story on gratitude
- Sharing is caring: a short story on sharing
- Short story on honesty
- The Thirsty Crow
- 10 short bedtime stories with morals
Want your child to read stories like this on their own? ABC Phonics: Learn to Read teaches letter sounds and blending through simple games, free on Google Play.
Use This Story in Class or on Your Blog
Teachers can read this story aloud or print it for class for free. Using the pictures or the story on a school or blog page? Please credit us with a link (picture licence). Copy this credit line:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of the greedy dog story?
Greed can make you lose what you already have. The dog wanted the bone he saw in his reflection, barked, and dropped his own bone into the river.
Who wrote the greedy dog story?
It is an old fable, usually credited to Aesop, and is told in many countries. This version is our own retelling in simple English for children.
