THE MONKEY and THE DOLPHIN
by Aesop · from Aesop's Fables; a new translation
Adapted Version
Once, a man had a pet monkey. They went on a boat trip. The monkey was his pet. They sailed on a big, blue boat. The man liked his monkey very much. They were good friends.
One day, a bad storm came. The wind blew very hard. Rain fell from the sky. The boat moved much. It moved up and down. Then the boat turned over. All fell into the sea. The Monkey was in the cold water. The water was cold.
A kind Dolphin swam nearby. He was a good swimmer. He saw The Monkey in the water. The Monkey looked scared. The Dolphin thought, "That is a person!" He swam fast to The Monkey. "I will help you," he said. "Get on my back now."
The Monkey quickly climbed on The Dolphin's back. The Dolphin was very strong. He swam with power. He swam towards the land. The sea was big and blue. The sun was bright now. They swam a long, long way.
They came near a big city. The city was called Athens. It had a port for many boats. Big ships came and went. The Dolphin asked, "Are you from Athens?"
The Monkey said, "Yes, I am from Athens." He told a big lie. "My kin is very great. We are famous in the city. All know us."
The Dolphin asked one more question. "Do you know Bay?" Bay was the port. It was a busy place for ships. It was a famous port.
The Monkey thought Bay was a man. He did not know it was a place. He made a mistake. "Oh, yes!" The Monkey said. "Bay is my old, good friend. We know each other very well. We play often."
The Dolphin knew The Monkey lied. He knew it was a big lie. He was not from Athens. He did not know Bay at all. The Dolphin felt very bad. The Monkey was not honest. He was a trickster.
The Dolphin was angry. He did not want to help a liar. Lies are bad. He went deep into the water. The Monkey was left all alone. He was very scared. He was in the big, cold sea.
It is not good to lie. Lies can bring bad things.
Original Story
THE MONKEY AND THE DOLPHIN
When people go on a voyage they often take with them lap-dogs or monkeys as pets to wile away the time. Thus it fell out that a man returning to Athens from the East had a pet Monkey on board with him. As they neared the coast of Attica a great storm burst upon them, and the ship capsized. All on board were thrown into the water, and tried to save themselves by swimming, the Monkey among the rest. A Dolphin saw him, and, supposing him to be a man, took him on his back and began swimming towards the shore. When they got near the Piraeus, which is the port of Athens, the Dolphin asked the Monkey if he was an Athenian. The Monkey replied that he was, and added that he came of a very distinguished family. "Then, of course, you know the Piraeus," continued the Dolphin. The Monkey thought he was referring to some high official or other, and replied, "Oh, yes, he's a very old friend of mine." At that, detecting his hypocrisy, the Dolphin was so disgusted that he dived below the surface, and the unfortunate Monkey was quickly drowned.
Story DNA
Moral
Those who pretend to be what they are not will eventually be exposed and suffer the consequences.
Plot Summary
During a sea voyage, a ship carrying a pet monkey capsizes in a storm. A dolphin, mistaking the monkey for a man, rescues him and carries him towards shore. In conversation, the monkey falsely claims to be an Athenian of high standing and pretends to know 'Piraeus' as a person. Recognizing the monkey's hypocrisy, the disgusted dolphin abandons him, leading to the monkey's drowning.
Themes
Emotional Arc
false security to sudden demise
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's fables often feature talking animals to convey moral lessons, reflecting common human flaws and virtues in a relatable way.
Plot Beats (10)
- A man on a voyage has a pet monkey for entertainment.
- A storm hits, and the ship capsizes, throwing everyone into the water.
- A dolphin sees the monkey swimming and, mistaking it for a human, offers to save it.
- The dolphin carries the monkey on its back towards the coast of Attica.
- As they approach the port of Piraeus, the dolphin asks the monkey if he is an Athenian.
- The monkey falsely claims to be an Athenian of a distinguished family.
- The dolphin then asks if the monkey knows Piraeus (the port).
- The monkey, thinking Piraeus is a person, claims Piraeus is an old friend.
- The dolphin realizes the monkey's deception and hypocrisy.
- Disgusted, the dolphin dives, leaving the monkey to drown.
Characters
★
The Monkey
A small to medium-sized monkey, agile and slender, with dark fur covering most of its body. Its hands and feet are dexterous, suited for climbing and grasping. It has a long, prehensile tail.
Attire: None, as it is an animal. Perhaps a simple, thin leather collar if it's a pet, but the story doesn't specify.
Wants: To survive and to appear important and knowledgeable, even if it means lying.
Flaw: Its vanity and dishonesty. Its desire to appear distinguished leads to its downfall.
Starts as a pet, attempts to deceive a rescuer, and ultimately drowns due to its dishonesty. No positive arc.
Boastful, deceptive, opportunistic, and somewhat foolish. It tries to impress others with false claims of importance.
◆
The Dolphin
A large, sleek marine mammal with smooth, grey skin that is lighter on its underside. Its body is torpedo-shaped, designed for swift movement through water, with a prominent dorsal fin and powerful tail flukes. Its skin is unblemished and appears wet and reflective.
Attire: None, as it is a marine animal.
Wants: To help those in distress, particularly what it believes to be a fellow human, and to understand its surroundings.
Flaw: Its initial assumption that the monkey was a man, leading to its deception.
Starts as a rescuer, becomes a judge of character, and ultimately delivers justice. No personal change, but acts as an agent of consequence.
Benevolent, observant, intelligent, and discerning. Initially helpful and kind, but quickly disgusted by dishonesty.
Locations
The Open Sea near Attica
A vast expanse of turbulent, dark blue water under a stormy sky, churned by a sudden, violent tempest. The capsized ship's wreckage floats amidst the waves, with people and the monkey struggling to stay afloat.
Mood: Chaotic, dangerous, desperate, and ultimately treacherous.
The ship capsizes, all passengers are thrown into the water, and the Dolphin rescues the Monkey.
Coastal Waters near Piraeus (Port of Athens)
The calmer, shallower waters approaching the ancient port of Piraeus, with the distant, low-lying hills of Attica visible on the horizon. The water is still blue but less turbulent, reflecting a clearing sky.
Mood: Initially hopeful and serene, but quickly turning to revelation and disgust.
The Dolphin questions the Monkey about Athens and Piraeus, leading to the discovery of the Monkey's deception.