The Carter Stuck in the Mud

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

Short, clear, and gently motivating. It encourages a calm bedtime value: try first, then ask for help—without shame.

Story Synopsis

After heavy rain, a country road turns into thick, sticky mud. A carter guides his wagon along, but the wheels sink so deep that the horses can’t pull it free. Frustrated, the carter complains loudly. He looks at the stuck cart, the tired animals, and the empty road—and instead of pushing, he calls out for someone else (even the gods) to fix the problem for him. In the fable’s turning point, he’s reminded of a simple truth: help is real, but it isn’t magic. Before you beg for rescue, you must put your own hands to the work—lift the wheel, lighten the load, guide the horses, and try. Once he does, the wagon can move again. It’s a classic Aesop-style lesson, ideal for ages 4–8. At bedtime it can become a warm, practical reminder: we can ask for help, but we also practice trying—one small push at a time.

Story Excerpt

Once, a carter was guiding his heavy cart along a country road. After a long rain, the road was not hard and smooth, but soft and full of deep, sticky mud. Suddenly, the wheels of his cart sank so far into the mud that his horses could not pull it free. The cart was stuck. The carter sighed a great, grumpy sigh. He looked at the stuck wheels, at the tired horses, and at the empty road. Instead of trying to push the cart himself, he threw up his hands and complained to the sky. " Oh, what terrible luck! " he cried. " This is the worst road…

In One Glance