THE APES and THE TWO TRAVELLERS
by Aesop · from Aesop's Fables; a new translation
Adapted Version
Once, there were two friends. One friend always told lies. He was the Clever Traveler. The other friend always told the truth. He was the Honest Traveler. They went on a long trip. They walked many days. They saw new places.
They came to a new land. Many apes lived there. The land was green. Tall trees grew there. The Ape King ruled the land. He heard about the two friends. He heard they were in his land.
The Ape King sat on a big chair. It was his throne. The throne was made of wood. It was carved with care. Many apes sat around him. They were his subjects. The King looked very important. He called the two friends.
The two friends stood before him. They felt a little scared. The Ape King looked at them. He asked the Clever Traveler. "What do you think of me?" he asked. "Am I a good king?"
The Clever Traveler smiled. He said nice things. "You are a great king," he said. "You are strong and noble." You are wise and kind. You rule with a strong hand. He spoke of the apes. "Your apes are fine subjects," he said.
The Ape King was very happy. He liked the nice words. He gave the Clever Traveler a gift. It was a shiny gift. The gift was a golden coin. It shone in the sun. The Clever Traveler took it.
The Ape King looked at the other friend. He looked at the Honest Traveler. He asked him the same question. "What do you think of me?" he asked. He waited for more praise.
The Honest Traveler wanted a big reward. He always told the truth. He believed in honesty. He spoke only true words. He thought truth was always best. He looked at the Ape King. "You are a fine ape," he said. "Your subjects are fine apes too."
The Ape King was very angry. His face turned red. He roared a loud roar. He did not like the truth. He felt very insulted. He stood up from his grand throne. He told his apes to take the man. The apes grabbed the man. They pulled him quickly. They quickly sent the Honest Traveler far away. No one saw the Honest Traveler again. The Clever Traveler was safe.
It is good to be honest. Use kind words too.
Original Story
THE APES AND THE TWO TRAVELLERS
Two men were travelling together, one of whom never spoke the truth, whereas the other never told a lie: and they came in the course of their travels to the land of Apes. The King of the Apes, hearing of their arrival, ordered them to be brought before him; and by way of impressing them with his magnificence, he received them sitting on a throne, while the Apes, his subjects, were ranged in long rows on either side of him. When the Travellers came into his presence he asked them what they thought of him as a King. The lying Traveller said, "Sire, every one must see that you are a most noble and mighty monarch." "And what do you think of my subjects?" continued the King. "They," said the Traveller, "are in every way worthy of their royal master." The Ape was so delighted with his answer that he gave him a very handsome present. The other Traveller thought that if his companion was rewarded so splendidly for telling a lie, he himself would certainly receive a still greater reward for telling the truth; so, when the Ape turned to him and said, "And what, sir, is your opinion?" he replied, "I think you are a very fine Ape, and all your subjects are fine Apes too." The King of the Apes was so enraged at his reply that he ordered him to be taken away and clawed to death.
Story DNA
Moral
It is not always wise to speak the truth, especially when dealing with powerful fools who prefer flattery.
Plot Summary
Two travelers, one truthful and one a liar, encounter an Ape King who demands their opinion of his rule. The lying traveler flatters the King and is richly rewarded. The truthful traveler, believing honesty will be even more rewarded, simply states the King and his subjects are 'fine Apes'. Enraged by this blunt truth, the Ape King orders the honest traveler to be killed, illustrating that truth is not always welcome.
Themes
Emotional Arc
neutral to tragic
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's Fables are ancient Greek stories, often featuring anthropomorphic animals, used to convey moral lessons.
Plot Beats (9)
- Two travelers, one who always lies and one who always tells the truth, journey together.
- They arrive in the land of Apes, and their arrival is reported to the Ape King.
- The Ape King, seated on a throne with his subjects arranged around him, summons the travelers.
- The King asks the first traveler what he thinks of him as a king.
- The lying traveler praises the King as a noble monarch and his subjects as worthy.
- The Ape King is pleased and gives the lying traveler a valuable present.
- The King then asks the second traveler for his opinion.
- The truthful traveler, expecting a greater reward, states that the King and his subjects are simply 'fine Apes'.
- Enraged by the blunt truth, the Ape King orders the truthful traveler to be clawed to death.
Characters
★
The Lying Traveller
A man of average height and build, with a somewhat opportunistic glint in his eyes. His movements are fluid and adaptable, suggesting a person who can easily navigate social situations.
Attire: Wears practical, durable traveling clothes suitable for long journeys, likely made of sturdy linen or wool in muted earth tones. A simple tunic, trousers, and worn leather boots, perhaps with a cloak draped over one shoulder.
Wants: To survive and prosper, to gain advantage through wit and flattery.
Flaw: His reliance on deception, which could eventually lead to his downfall if he misjudges his audience.
He successfully navigates a dangerous encounter by employing his characteristic deception, reinforcing his belief in its effectiveness.
Cunning, pragmatic, adaptable, self-serving, observant.
★
The Truthful Traveller
A man of sturdy build, perhaps a bit more rigid in his bearing than his companion. His features are honest and straightforward, lacking any hint of guile.
Attire: Wears simple, unadorned traveling clothes, perhaps a sturdy wool tunic, plain trousers, and practical leather sandals or boots. His attire is functional and shows signs of wear, but is clean.
Wants: To always speak the truth, believing it to be the highest virtue and expecting it to be rewarded.
Flaw: His absolute adherence to truth, which makes him tactless and unable to adapt his words to dangerous social contexts.
His unwavering commitment to truth leads to his demise, illustrating the potential dangers of unvarnished honesty in certain situations.
Honest, principled, naive, direct, unyielding.
⚔
The King of the Apes
A large, powerful ape, significantly larger and more imposing than his subjects. His fur is thick and dark, possibly with streaks of grey indicating age and wisdom. He possesses strong, muscular limbs and a commanding presence.
Attire: No clothing, but adorned with symbols of his royalty. Perhaps a simple, heavy gold or polished bone circlet on his head, and large, crude necklaces made of polished stones or animal teeth around his neck.
Wants: To be admired and respected, to maintain his image of magnificence and power.
Flaw: His extreme vanity and susceptibility to flattery, which blinds him to truth and makes him prone to rash decisions.
He remains unchanged, his vanity leading him to reward deceit and punish honesty, reinforcing his tyrannical nature.
Vain, proud, easily flattered, tyrannical, quick to anger.
Locations
The Land of Apes
A wild, untamed land, likely tropical or subtropical, where apes live in a structured society.
Mood: Wild, untamed, yet with an underlying sense of order due to the ape society.
The general setting where the travellers arrive and encounter the ape kingdom.
The Ape King's Throne Room
A grand, open-air or partially enclosed space, possibly a clearing or a structure made of natural materials, where the Ape King holds court. The King sits on a 'throne' and his subjects are arranged in rows.
Mood: Formal, imposing, with an underlying tension due to the King's desire for flattery.
The travellers are brought before the Ape King, and the fateful conversation occurs.