You’ve likely heard the phrase grapes are sour story while preparing for English exams in Bangladesh. It refers to a popular fable—commonly known as The Fox and the Grapes—which teaches a powerful lesson about human behavior. In both school and board exams across classes 6 to HSC, this story often appears in completing‑story, paragraph writing, or moral essay sections. Why? The answer lies in its simplicity, clear structure, and strong message that an exam‑setting panel appreciates.
When you write this story, you’re expected to finish a short beginning with your own version of how the fox tries and fails to reach the grapes. That shows your command over logical flow and your ability to convert a framework into meaningful writing. You don’t need to invent characters or include elaborate events. Just follow the prompt: fox sees grapes, fails to reach them, and finally reacts by calling them sour.
This article will give you structured outlines and sample versions for different word counts and class levels—150, 200, and 300 words. It also includes FAQs and a strong conclusion to cement your understanding. Once you master it, you’ll be able to write with confidence whenever this topic appears in your exam.
Story Overview

The grapes are sour story is based on a well-known fable from Aesop. It focuses on a fox and his reaction to something he cannot achieve. The plot is very short but full of meaning, which makes it ideal for school assignments and exams in Bangladesh. Understanding the characters and events properly helps you write the story with confidence.
In the story, a hungry fox is walking through a forest or field. He sees a bunch of grapes hanging high on a vine. They look juicy and ripe. Since he is hungry and thirsty, he decides to get them. But no matter how hard he tries, he cannot reach the grapes. He jumps, takes a run-up, even climbs partway up the tree—but all efforts fail.
After several attempts, the fox gives up. But instead of admitting defeat, he convinces himself that the grapes must be sour. He walks away with his nose in the air, pretending that he never wanted them in the first place. This final action carries the heart of the story: making excuses when we fail.
The moral of the story is simple yet valuable—people often criticize what they cannot have. In exams, this message is expected to be presented clearly. This structure makes the story useful for completing story tasks, as the plot has a clear beginning, conflict, and resolution. It’s also an excellent lesson about human nature—something examiners love to see in student writing.
Grapes Are Sour Story For Class 9-10 (150 Words)
Once a hungry fox was walking through a village. He saw a bunch of grapes hanging from a vine. The grapes looked ripe and tasty. The fox jumped to get them, but they were too high. He jumped again and again but failed each time. He felt tired and frustrated. After many tries, he gave up. While leaving, he looked at the grapes and said, “These grapes are probably sour.” This is how the grapes are sour story ends. The moral of the story is: people often pretend that something is bad just because they couldn’t get it.
Grapes Are Sour Story For SSC (200 Words)

One afternoon, a hungry fox was walking around a village in search of food. Suddenly, he noticed a bunch of ripe grapes hanging from a high vine. The grapes looked juicy, and the fox’s mouth began to water. He jumped to reach them but failed. He tried again and again, but no success. The grapes were too high. Tired and disappointed, the fox sat down to rest. After a while, he got up, looked at the grapes one last time, and said, “These grapes are sour. I don’t want them.” Saying this, he left the place. This is a famous story known as the grapes are sour story. It teaches us that people often criticize what they cannot get. This story is often used in schools to help students understand the habit of making excuses after failure. It also shows how we sometimes lie to ourselves to feel better.
Grapes Are Sour Story For HSC (300 Words)
One hot afternoon, a fox was roaming around in search of food. He hadn’t eaten all day and was extremely hungry. While walking past a garden, he noticed a bunch of grapes hanging from a vine. The grapes were ripe, juicy, and shining under the sun. The fox thought those grapes would quench his thirst and fill his stomach. He jumped as high as he could but missed. He tried again and again, running up and leaping, but the grapes remained out of reach.
The fox became exhausted. Still, he didn’t want to give up easily. He tried one last time, stretching as high as he could, but again failed. At this point, he was very tired and angry. He looked at the grapes and said, “These grapes are sour and not worth eating.” Then he turned around and walked away. This short tale is famously known as the grapes are sour story, often used in school exams across Bangladesh.
The main lesson of this story is very clear. People tend to say negative things about the goals they fail to achieve. Instead of accepting failure, they create excuses to protect their pride. This behavior is common in many situations. The story encourages students to be honest about failure and to try harder instead of blaming the goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the grapes are sour story about?
It’s a short story where a fox sees some grapes hanging high, tries to get them, fails, and then claims they are sour.
Q2. Why is this story used in Bangladesh exams?
Teachers use this story because it’s short, easy to understand, and carries a strong moral.
Q3. What is the moral of the grapes are sour story?
The main message is: “People often dislike what they cannot get.” This story warns against making excuses when things don’t go your way.
Q4. How many words should I write in an exam?
Follow the question’s instruction. If it says 150 words, stay close to that number.
Q5. Can I add my own lines in the story?
Yes, you can add extra lines to give more detail, especially for longer answers.
Q6. What tense should I use?
Always use past tense while writing this story. For example: “The fox saw the grapes,” not “The fox sees the grapes.”
Wrapping Up
Now that you’ve gone through the full guide, you can see why the grapes are sour story is so widely used in school exams. It’s short, easy to remember, and carries a meaningful message. Whether you’re in Class 9, SSC, or HSC, this story fits well into the exam format and helps you build your writing confidence.
The story is also a reminder for daily life. When things don’t go your way, instead of blaming them, it’s better to accept the situation and try again. That’s a smart way to grow both in exams and beyond.
When writing this story in your exam, follow a clean structure: a strong beginning, a middle with action, and a clear moral at the end. Watch your grammar, avoid repetition, and stay within the word count. These small things often make the biggest difference in scoring.
