The Fox and the Monkey

Summary

This story is about a Monkey who becomes King of the Beasts after impressing them with his dance. However, a cunning Fox, envious of the Monkey’s new position, devises a plan to embarrass him. She tricks the Monkey by pretending to offer him a treasure — a piece of meat in a trap — as part of his kingdom's wealth. When the Monkey approaches the trap carelessly, he gets caught. The Fox then mocks the Monkey for his lack of wisdom, questioning his ability to rule. This tale highlights themes of envy, manipulation, and the importance of discernment in leadership. It teaches children about the consequences of naivety and the deceitful nature some individuals can have when driven by jealousy.

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A Monkey once danced in an assembly of the Beasts, and so pleased them all by his performance that they elected him their King. A Fox, envying him the honor, discovered a piece of meat lying in a trap, and leading the Monkey to the place where it was, said that she had found a store, but had not used it, she had kept it for him as treasure trove of his kingdom, and counseled him to lay hold of it. The Monkey approached carelessly and was caught in the trap; and on his accusing the Fox of purposely leading him into the snare, she replied, “O Monkey, and are you, with such a mind as yours, going to be King over the Beasts?”