The Boy Bathing

A Boy bathing in a river was in danger of being drowned. He called out to a traveller, passing by, for help. The traveller, instead of holding out a helping hand, stood by unconcernedly, and scolded the boy for his imprudence. "Oh, sir!" cried the youth, "pray help me now, and scold me afterwards."

Counsel without help, is useless.

From The Boy Bathing by Aesop, translated by George Fyler Townsend (1867). Public domain.

Check your understanding

1. What does the traveler do when the boy asks for help?

He jumps in to save the boy.He runs away to find a rope.He stands there and scolds the boy.He ignores the boy and keeps walking.

2. What does the boy want the traveler to do first?

Scold him for being unsafe.Help him out of the water.Teach him how to swim.Go find his parents.

3. Retell what happens in the story in your own words, from the moment the boy is in danger to what he says to the traveler.

4. Why did the traveler scold the boy instead of helping him right away?

5. What does the lesson 'Counsel without help, is useless' mean in this story?

6. Think of a time when you made a mistake and needed help. Would you have wanted to be scolded first or helped first? Why?