Aesop

The Camel and Jupiter

Summary

This narrative revolves around a Camel who envies the Bull for having horns, equating them to a form of honor and desiring them for himself. Driven by this envy, the Camel petitions Jupiter to bestow upon him a pair of horns. Jupiter, however, perceives the Camel's request as unreasonable greed, considering the Camel's natural gifts of size and strength. Consequently, rather than granting the Camel's wish, Jupiter punishes him by taking away a part of his ears, illustrating the moral lesson that dissatisfaction and envy can lead to one's loss rather than gain. This story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of coveting others' attributes or possessions.

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The Camel, when he saw the Bull adorned with horns, envied him and wished that he himself could obtain the same honors. He went to Jupiter, and besought him to give him horns. Jupiter, vexed at his request because he was not satisfied with his size and strength of body, and desired yet more, not only refused to give him horns, but even deprived him of a portion of his ears.

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