Section 53
The Monkey as King explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
At a gathering of all the animals the Monkey danced and delighted them so much that they made him their King. The Fox, however, was very much disgusted at the promotion of the Monkey: so having one day found a trap with a piece of meat in it, he took the Monkey there and said to him, "Here...
Read full original text in reading mode
Public-domain original
At a gathering of all the animals the Monkey danced and delighted them
so much that they made him their King. The Fox, however, was very much
disgusted at the promotion of the Monkey: so having one day found a
trap with a piece of meat in it, he took the Monkey there and said to
him, "Here is a dainty morsel I have found, sire; I did not take it
myself, because I thought it ought to be reserved for you, our King.
Will you be pleased to accept it?" The Monkey made at once for the
meat and got caught in the trap. Then he bitterly reproached the Fox
for leading him into danger; but the Fox only laughed and said, "O
Monkey, you call yourself King of the Beasts and haven't more sense
than to be taken in like that!"
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
Animals choose a monkey as king because he entertains them, but a fox exposes his foolishness.
Why this scene matters
This fable warns against choosing leaders for show instead of judgment.
Characters in this scene
- Monkey as King: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
The monkey wins attention by dancing. The fox tricks him afterward, showing he lacks wisdom to rule.