Today I’ve got one of Aesop’s fables, “The Dancing Monkeys.”
A prince had some monkeys trained to dance. Being naturally great mimics of men’s actions, they showed themselves most apt pupils, and when arrayed in their rich clothes and masks, they danced as well as any of the courtiers. The spectacle was often repeated with great applause, till on one occasion a courtier, bent on mischief, took from his pocket a handful of nuts and threw them upon the stage. The monkeys at the sight of the nuts forgot their dancing and became (as indeed they were) monkeys instead of actors. Pulling off their masks and tearing their robes, they fought with one another for the nuts. The dancing spectacle thus came to an end amidst the laughter and ridicule of the audience.
I guess there are two possible morals: “Not everything you see is what it appears to be” or “It is difficult to change who you are.”
I found this cute video that expands a bit on the story.
Thursday’s Tales is a weekly event here at Carol’s Notebook. Fairy tales, folktales, tall tales, even re-tellings, I love them all. Feel free to join in.
I do love these tales
heheheh love the video. Missed yesterday’s tales. I was going to do Wizard of Oz but fell asleep. Oh well posted my review this morning but didn’t do it as part of Thursday’s Tales. Going to have to find something for next week. You always find the best tales.