The Long-Tailed Monkeys, or "Help One Another! "
A group of long-tailed monkeys encounters a river without a bridge. Ingeniously, they climb a tree on one bank, forming a chain by holding each other's tails. They swing until the last monkey grasps a tree on the opposite bank. This monkey climbs up, and the chain shifts to the other side, allowing all to cross. The story emphasizes cooperation and mutual assistance, suggesting that harmony among siblings can be achieved through helping one another, as demonstrated by the monkeys.
By Madeline Leslie · First published 1872 · Genre: Fable, Allegory, Children's Literature · 241 words
First lines
A PARTY of the long-tailed monkeys wanted to cross a narrow river over which there was no bridge.
There was a tree on each bank of the river; the ingenious creatures ran to the top of one of these, when one of the largest of them grasped hold of the first one's tail. A third took hold of the second monkey's tail, and so on until they formed a long string hanging down nearly to the surface of the river.
What this Textopian page supports
The Long-Tailed Monkeys, or "Help One Another! " is listed on Textopian as a fable by Madeline Leslie, dated 1872 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Madeline Leslie
- Date: 1872 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Allegory, Children's Literature, Moral Tale
- Length: 241 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Long-Tailed Monkeys, or "Help One Another! " by Madeline Leslie
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Genres
- Fable — The story employs animal characters to illustrate a clear moral lesson about cooperation.
- Allegory — The narrative uses symbolic elements to express deeper messages about mutual support and social values.
- Children's Literature — Its simple, engaging style and straightforward moral make it well-suited for a young audience.
- Moral Tale — The emphasis on 'help one another' underlines its purpose as a story designed to teach ethical behavior.
Tags
allegory · cooperation · friendship · community · support · animal fable · social behavior · wildlife · morality tale · leadership · adventure · humor