The Monkey as King by Esopo (1640)
A monkey is appointed king by a group of people who are dissatisfied with their current ruler. The monkey's foolish behavior and lack of wisdom lead to chaos and destruction in the kingdom. He makes irrational decisions, such as declaring war on a neighboring country without any strategic plan, and appointing his friends and family members to important positions based on their relationships rather than their qualifications. As a result, the kingdom falls into disarray, and the people begin to suffer. Eventually, they realize their mistake and overthrow the monkey king, restoring order to the kingdom. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of electing leaders based on popularity or superficial qualities rather than wisdom and competence.
By Esopo · First published 1640 · Genre: Fable, Animal story, Folklore · 165 words
First lines
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! "
What this Textopian page supports
The Monkey as King is listed on Textopian as a fable by Esopo, dated 1640 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: 1640 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Animal story, Folklore, Children's literature
- Length: 165 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Monkey as King 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 as King?
- How does this fable by Esopo fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Jupiter And The Monkey by Esopo
- The Lamb Chased By A Wolf by Esopo
- The Fox And The Monkey by Esopo
- The Dog The Cock And The Fox by Esopo
- The Lion The Fox And The Ass by Esopo
- The Eagle And The Beetle by Esopo
Genres
- Fable — As a work of Aesop, this book is a tale featuring animals as characters with human-like qualities to deliver moral lessons.
- Animal story — The book revolves around the adventure and actions of a monkey, placing it within the realm of animal tales.
- Folklore — Aesop's fables like 'The Monkey as King' are staples of folklore, handed down through oral tradition before they were written down.
- Children's literature — The narrative's simplicity and moral teachings make it suitable for children, hence categorizing it under children's literature.
Tags
fable · allegory · animal characters · morality · leadership · power · deception · wisdom · humor · society · hierarchy · critique