The Monkey and the Camel by Esopo
The Monkey and the Camel is a fable written by Esopo. The story goes as follows: A monkey and a camel were once traveling together through the desert when they became thirsty. The monkey suggested that they share their water, but the camel refused, saying that he was bigger and could therefore drink more than the monkey. The monkey retorted that since the camel was larger, it should also be able to carry more weight, including the monkey itself, when they reached a river. The camel was taken aback by this suggestion and realized too late that the monkey had been cleverly outsmarting him throughout their journey. What is your next question?
By Esopo · First published 1600 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Classics · 99 words
First lines
At a gathering of all the beasts the Monkey gave an exhibition of dancing and entertained the company vastly. There was great applause at the finish, which excited the envy of the Camel and made him desire to win the favour of the assembly by the same means. So he got up from his place and began dancing, but he cut such a ridiculous figure as he plunged about, and made such a grotesque exhibition of his ungainly person, that the beasts all fell upon him with ridicule and drove him away.
What this Textopian page supports
The Monkey and the Camel is listed on Textopian as a fable by Esopo, dated 1600 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Esopo
- Date: 1600 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Children's Literature, Classics, Fantasy, Mythology & Folk Tales
- Length: 99 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Monkey and the Camel by Esopo
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Monkey and the Camel?
- How does this fable by Esopo fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Wolf And The Goat by Esopo
- Jupiter And The Monkey by Esopo
- The Cat And The Cock by Esopo
- The Fox And The Crow by Esopo
- The Bat And The Weasels by Esopo
- The Quack Frog by Esopo
Genres
- Fable — Esopo is a known fabulist, and 'The Monkey and the Camel' is one of his famous animal morality tales often showcasing anthropomorphic animals interacting and learning life lessons.
- Children's Literature — Esopo's fables, including 'The Monkey and the Camel', are commonly shared with children due to their simple plots, relatable characters, and moral themes.
- Classics — Given Esopo's age and cultural significance, his works, including 'The Monkey and the Camel', are often categorized as classics.
- Fantasy — The anthropomorphized characters and surreal situations often found in 'The Monkey and The Camel' lend themselves to the fantasy genre.
Tags
fable · morality · animal characters · deception · foolishness · humor · lesson · wisdom · friendship · betrayal · caution · consequences