The monkey, having danced at an assembly of the beasts and won their favour, was elected king by them. The fox was jealous, and, on seeing a piece of meat in a snare, led the monkey to it, telling him he had found a treasure but that, instead of taking it for himself, he had kept it for the monkey as a royal prerogative, and urged him to take it. The monkey approached carelessly and was caught in the snare. When he accused the fox of setting a trap for him, the fox replied, "Monkey, fool that you are, and you want to be king of the beasts!"
So those who throw themselves rashly into an undertaking not only fail but also make themselves a laughing stock.
Nº 304The Monkey and the FishermenA monkey perched on a tall tree, on seeing fishermen casting their net in a river, watched how they worked. At a certain point, leaving their net…Read the fable →
Nº 32The Fox and the GrapesA hungry fox saw bunches of grapes hanging from a vine and tried to reach them; but when he could not, he went off, saying to himself, "They are sour…Read the fable →
Nº 150The Crab and the FoxA crab came up from the sea onto the shore and was foraging alone. A hungry fox spotted it; and as he had nothing to put between his teeth, he ran at…Read the fable →