FABLE CIV
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, there were two friends. They loved to travel. They loved to see new things. Their names were Friend One and Friend Two. They went to many places. They saw many lands. They saw many people. They saw many things. They thought they knew all. They felt very smart. They were very, very sure.
One sunny day, they walked. They walked in a warm, sandy land. The sun was hot. The sand was soft. They talked about many things. They talked about what they saw. They talked and talked. They liked to share their stories.
Soon, they talked about a creature. It was a special creature. It was a lizard. The lizard was special. It could change its color.
Friend One spoke. "I saw a lizard!" he said. "It was a pretty blue color. It rested in the cool shade. The shade was dark. I saw it there. It was very blue. I am sure it was blue."
Friend Two spoke fast. "No!" he said. "You are wrong! The lizard was green! I saw it myself. It warmed in the bright sun. The sun was hot. I saw it there. It was very green. I know it was green."
They started to argue. "It was blue!" said Friend One. "No, it was green!" said Friend Two. They pointed fingers. Their voices got very loud. Friend One thought Friend Two was silly. Friend Two thought Friend One was silly. They could not agree. They were very angry.
Just then, a kind man walked by. He was Friend Three. He saw the two friends arguing. He looked at them. "What is wrong?" he asked. His voice was calm.
Friend One and Friend Two told him. They told him about the lizard. Friend Three smiled. He knew about lizards. "Oh, the lizard," he said. "It was black. I caught it last night. It was dark. The night was very dark. It was black then."
The first two friends were very surprised. "Black? That is not right!" they said. "No, it was blue!" said Friend One. "No, it was green!" said Friend Two. Each friend still thought they were right. They did not believe Friend Three.
Friend Three said, "I have the lizard." He held up a small bag. "I can show you!" He reached inside. He pulled out a small box.
He opened the small box. Inside was the lizard. It was not blue. It was not green. It was not black. It was white! The friends gasped.
The lizard looked at them. Then, it spoke! Its voice was soft. "I was blue in the shade. I was green in the sun. I was black in the dark. Now I am white. You all saw me. You all saw part of truth. All see things in their way. Listen to your friends. They might see a new thing. Listen to all."
Friends learned a big lesson. They learned about the lizard. They learned about each other. It is good to listen to all. All see things in their way. This is a good lesson.
Original Story
FABLE CIV.
THE CHAMELEON.
Oft has it been my lot to mark
A proud, conceited, talking spark,
With eyes that hardly served at most
To guard their master 'gainst a post;
Yet round the world the blade has been,
To see whatever could be seen.
Returning from his finish'd tour,
Grown ten times perter than before,
Whatever word you chance to drop,
The travelled fool your mouth will stop;
"Sir, if my judgment you'll allow,—
I've seen,—and, sure, I ought to know;"—
So begs you'd pay a due submission,
And acquiesce in his decision.
Two travellers, of such a cast,
As o'er Arabia's wilds they pass'd,
And on their way, in friendly chat,
Now talked of this, and then of that;
Discoursed awhile, 'mongst other matter,
Of the Chameleon's form and nature.
"A stranger animal," cries one,
"Sure never lived beneath the sun:
A lizard's body, lean and long,
A fish's head, a serpent's tongue.
In truth, with triple jaw disjoin'd;
And what a length of tail behind!
How slow its pace! and then its hue!
Who ever saw so fine a blue?"
"Hold there!" the other quick replies,
"'Tis green:—I saw it with these eyes,
As late with open mouth it lay,
And warm'd it in the sunny ray:
Stretch'd at its ease the beast I view'd,
And saw it eat the air for food."
"I've seen it, sir, as well as you,
And must again affirm it blue;
At leisure I the beast survey'd,
Extended in the cooling shade."
"'Tis green! 'tis green! sir, I assure ye."—
"Green!" cries the other, in a fury,—
"Why, sir, d'ye think I've lost my eyes?"
"'Twere no great loss!" the friend replies;
"For if they always serve you thus,
You find 'em but of little use."
So high at last the contest rose,
From words they almost came to blows;
When, luckily, came by a third;
To him the question they referr'd;
And begged he'd tell 'em, if he knew,
Whether the thing was green or blue.
"Sirs," cries the umpire, "cease your pother—
The creature's neither one nor t'other.
I caught the animal last night,
And viewed it o'er by candle-light;
I marked it well—'twas black as jet;—
You stare—but, sirs, I've got it yet,
And can produce it."—"Pray, sir, do;
I'll lay my life the thing is blue."
"And I'll be sworn that when you've seen
The reptile, you'll pronounce him green."
"Well, then, at once to ease the doubt,"
Replies the man, "I'll turn him out;
And when before your eyes I've set him,
If you don't find him black I'll eat him;"
He said. Then full before their sight,
Produced the beast, and lo! 'twas white.
Both stared, the man looked wondrous wise.
"My children," the Chameleon cries,
(Then first the creature found a tongue),
"You all are right and all are wrong;
When next you talk of what you view,
Think others see as well as you;
Nor wonder, if you find that none
Prefers your eye-sight to his own."
Story DNA
Moral
Different perspectives can all be valid, and one should not assume their own view is the only truth.
Plot Summary
Two prideful travelers argue vehemently over the color of a chameleon, one insisting it's blue and the other green, based on their individual sightings. Their dispute escalates until a third traveler intervenes, claiming the chameleon is black, as he recently caught it. To settle the argument, the third traveler produces the chameleon, which is now white, revealing that its color changes. The chameleon then speaks, imparting a lesson that all perspectives can be valid at different times, and one should not assume their own viewpoint is the sole truth.
Themes
Emotional Arc
conflict to understanding
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This fable, often attributed to John Gay, reflects an Enlightenment-era emphasis on reason, observation, and the dangers of dogmatism, using a natural phenomenon (chameleon's color change) to illustrate a philosophical point.
Plot Beats (12)
- The narrator introduces the common flaw of conceited travelers who believe their experiences make them infallible.
- Two such travelers are journeying through Arabia, discussing various topics.
- They begin to discuss the form and nature of a chameleon.
- The first traveler describes the chameleon as having a lizard's body, fish's head, serpent's tongue, and being a fine blue color, seen in the shade.
- The second traveler vehemently interrupts, asserting the chameleon is green, as he saw it warming itself in the sun.
- The argument escalates, with both travelers insulting each other's vision and nearly resorting to physical violence.
- A third traveler approaches and is asked to arbitrate the dispute over the chameleon's color.
- The third traveler claims the chameleon is black, as he caught it the previous night and viewed it by candlelight.
- The first two travelers express disbelief, each confident in their own observation.
- The third traveler offers to produce the chameleon to prove his point, betting his life on its black color.
- He brings out the chameleon, which is now white.
- The chameleon speaks, explaining that all three were correct in their observations at different times, and that one should always consider that others' perspectives are as valid as their own.
Characters
First Traveller
A man of average height and build, likely with a slightly haughty demeanor. His features are not explicitly described, but his personality suggests a well-fed, perhaps slightly portly, appearance from a life of travel and self-importance.
Attire: Clothing suitable for travel across Arabian wilds, perhaps a loose-fitting thobe or a tunic and trousers made of durable linen or wool, possibly with a simple head covering like a keffiyeh to protect from the sun. The quality of his clothes would suggest he is not poor, but practical for his journeys.
Wants: To be seen as knowledgeable and experienced; to have his opinions validated and accepted without question.
Flaw: Overconfidence in his own perceptions, inability to consider other perspectives, stubbornness.
He remains largely unchanged in his stubbornness until the Chameleon's final speech, which serves as a direct rebuke to his way of thinking.
Proud, conceited, argumentative, well-traveled, opinionated. He is quick to assert his own observations as absolute truth.
Second Traveller
Similar to the First Traveller, he is likely of average build, perhaps slightly leaner, reflecting his travels. His features are not detailed, but his quick temper suggests a more animated expression.
Attire: Practical travel attire for Arabian wilds, similar to the First Traveller, perhaps a slightly different color or style of thobe or tunic, made of durable fabric. His clothing would be functional rather than ostentatious.
Wants: To prove his own correctness and perception; to challenge and correct what he perceives as errors in others' statements.
Flaw: Stubbornness, quick temper, inability to consider alternative viewpoints, pride in his own eyesight.
He remains as stubborn as the First Traveller until the Chameleon's revelation, which challenges his fixed perception.
Quick to reply, argumentative, stubborn, easily angered, equally convinced of his own observations.
Third Traveller
A man who appears calm and reasonable, likely of average height and build. His features would suggest a more thoughtful and less confrontational demeanor than the other two.
Attire: Practical but perhaps slightly more refined travel attire for Arabian wilds, suggesting a person of some means and composure. A well-maintained thobe or tunic, possibly with a more decorative head covering or a simple turban, made of quality linen or cotton.
Wants: To resolve disputes, to demonstrate the complexity of truth, to impart a lesson through experience.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but perhaps a slight enjoyment in letting others realize their folly.
He acts as the catalyst for the resolution of the conflict and the delivery of the fable's moral, remaining a figure of wisdom.
Calm, reasonable, observant, wise, a peacemaker, enjoys a subtle reveal.
The Chameleon
A creature with a 'lizard's body, lean and long,' a 'fish's head,' and a 'serpent's tongue.' It has a 'triple jaw disjoin'd' and a 'length of tail behind.' Its most distinguishing feature is its ability to change color, appearing blue, green, black, and finally white. It moves slowly.
Attire: Its skin is its wardrobe, constantly changing color. It is described as appearing blue, green, black, and white at different times.
Wants: To survive, to observe, and ultimately, to impart a moral lesson about perception.
Flaw: Its slow pace might make it vulnerable, but its camouflage is its primary defense.
Initially an object of debate, it transforms into the ultimate arbiter and moral voice of the story.
Observant, patient, wise (when it finally speaks), capable of profound insight.
Locations
Arabian Wilds
A vast, open desert landscape, likely characterized by rolling sand dunes, sparse, hardy desert vegetation like scrub brush or small thorny acacias, and a wide, clear sky. The air is dry and warm.
Mood: Open, expansive, potentially desolate but also a place of travel and encounter.
Two travelers are journeying through this landscape when they begin their argument about the chameleon.