Section 56
Jupiter and the Monkey explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
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issued a proclamation to all the beasts, and offered a prize to the one who, in his judgment, produced the most beautiful offspring. Among the rest came the Monkey, carrying a baby monkey in her arms, a hairless, flat-nosed little fright. When they saw it, the gods all burst into peal on peal of laughter; but the...
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Public-domain original
issued a proclamation to all the beasts, and offered a
prize to the one who, in his judgment, produced the most beautiful
offspring. Among the rest came the Monkey, carrying a baby monkey in
her arms, a hairless, flat-nosed little fright. When they saw it, the
gods all burst into peal on peal of laughter; but the Monkey hugged
her little one to her, and said, "Jupiter may give the prize to
whomsoever he likes: but I shall always think my baby the most
beautiful of them all."
Public-domain original text shown for study context. Underlined terms can be tapped for simple reader notes.
What happens here
Jupiter judges animal children, and the monkey thinks her own baby is the finest.
Why this scene matters
This fable shows that affection can make people blind to obvious flaws.
Characters in this scene
- Jupiter: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Monkey: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
The animals bring their children before Jupiter. The monkey proudly presents her baby as the best of all.