The Porcupine's Soft Advice
Written by Studio AM.
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A porcupine lived beside a bridge whose third plank had begun to split. He warned every traveler. “Only a fool would step there,” he told the deer. The deer bristled and crossed without looking down. “Your eyes must be made of mud,” he told the mole, who turned away before hearing which plank was weak. When the porcupine shouted at a flock of quail, they scattered at the insult and landed on the bridge. The porcupine complained. A frog listened. “Perhaps they hear the thorns before the warning,” she said. “A true fact stays true,” answered the porcupine.
“Yes,” said the frog. “But advice must arrive.” She hopped to the road and called, “Please wait here. The third plank is splitting.” Travelers stopped, thanked her, and waited clear of the bridge. The porcupine felt the familiar sharp reply rise in his throat. He let it pass. Together they blocked the bridge and fetched beavers. By sunset, the plank was sound.
The next morning, the porcupine saw a young hare racing toward wet stones. “Only a…” he began. Then he tried again. “The stones are slick. Take the grass.” The hare changed course.
He had learned that a warning needs accuracy and clear language so another creature can receive, understand, and use it to stay safe.
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Questions
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Question 1 of 4
What is the main idea of the fable?
The answer is A: The porcupine learns that accurate advice helps only when its delivery lets another person hear and use it.
The porcupine’s facts remain correct, but his changed language finally produces safer action.
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Question 2 of 4
Why does the frog say that advice must “arrive”?
The answer is B: A listener must be able to receive the message before its truth can guide action.
The travelers reject insults before processing the useful information, so the message fails to reach them.
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Question 3 of 4
What does “bristled” mean in the deer scene?
The answer is C: reacted with offended tension
The deer reacts to being called a fool and crosses without considering the warning.
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Question 4 of 4
Which part of the bridge is damaged?
The answer is D: the third plank
Both the porcupine’s concern and the frog’s successful warning identify the third plank.
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