KETTU JA APINA
by Aesop · from Aisopoksen satuja : $b 56 eläintarinaa
Adapted Version
Once upon a time. Animals lived in a forest. They needed a king. A good king. The Monkey danced. It did many tricks. The animals liked its fun. They chose the Monkey. This was a silly king.
The Monkey put on a crown. It wanted to look like a king. It tried to act very wise. But the Monkey looked a bit silly. It was not a real wise king.
The Fox watched the Monkey King. The Fox thought, "Monkey is not smart." The Monkey was too proud. It loved its crown. The Fox felt very angry. It wanted to show everyone. The Monkey was not a good king.
One day, the Fox walked by a ditch. It saw a sticky net there. A tasty piece of meat was inside. This net was a trick. It would not hurt anyone.
The Fox ran to the Monkey King. "Hello, King!" said the Fox. The Fox said, "I found a treasure!" "A special treasure for you." "It is in the big field. This treasure is for you. The Fox smiled.
The Monkey King was very happy. "A treasure for me!" it cried. It did not think. It ran fast to the field. The Monkey wanted its treasure.
The Monkey saw the sticky net. It reached for the meat. Its paws touched the net. Oh no! Its paws stuck fast. The Monkey could not move. It was caught in the net. It was not hurt.
The Monkey King was very angry. It felt very silly. "Bad Fox!" it shouted. "You tricked me! You are not my friend! Monkey stomped feet." It wanted to get free.
The Fox just laughed. "A king must be smart," it said. "You did not see the trick. You are not smart, King. A wise king thinks first." Fox left. The Monkey was still stuck. It felt very foolish. It would get free later. But the Monkey felt very silly. A true king is wise. A silly king makes mistakes.
Original Story
KETTU JA APINA
Kerran eläimet olivat niin hassahtaneet, että valitsivat kuninkaakseen apinan. Tämä oli aikoinaan tanssinut ja huvittanut niitä esittämällä kaikenlaisia iänikuisia temppuja, ja varmaankin eläimet olivat lopulta niiden katselemisesta niin peräti tylsistyneet, ettei keksitty sen parempaa kuin julistaa tanssimestari hallitsijaksi.
Niinpä apina sitten sai kruunun päähänsä ja koetti näyttää kovin arvokkaalta ja valtioviisaalta. Mutta kettua kiusasi ihan sydänjuuria myöten se huomio, että lähimmäiset olivat menetelleet näin hupsusti. Eipä siis kumma, että kettu päätti, kunhan vain tulisi sopiva tilaisuus, saada kaikki eläimet käsittämään vaalinsa typeryyden ja samalla rangaista viheliäistä kuningasta röyhkeästä itserakkaudesta.
Pian sen jälkeen kettu tapasi ojan reunalla satimen, jossa oli syöttinä lihanpala, ja riensi apinan luo ilmoittamaan löytäneensä aarteen, joka oli yleisellä laitumella ja siis kuului yksinomaan majesteetille. Apina ei osannut haistaa siinä makkaran käryä, vaan meni oiko päätä ottamaan aarteen haltuunsa. Mutta kohta kun se oli laskenut molemmat käpälänsä satimelle, likistyivät ne rautojen väliin. Häpeän ja vihan vallassa apina alkoi nyt haukkua kettua, herjaten tätä kapinoitsijaksi ja petturiksi, vieläpä uhkasi kamalasti kostaa. Siitä ei Repolainen piitannut vähääkään, nauroi vain ilkeästi ja sanoi lähtiessään: »Mokomakin kuningas, kun ei edes ymmärrä, mikä sadin on!»
Story DNA
Moral
Those who are unfit to rule often lack the basic understanding required to govern, and their vanity can lead to their downfall.
Plot Summary
The animals foolishly elect an Ape, known for its dancing, as their king. The Fox is disgusted by this choice and the Ape's arrogance, resolving to expose its unfitness. Discovering a trap with bait, the Fox lures the Ape to it by claiming it's a 'treasure' for the king. The vain Ape falls into the trap, and the Fox mocks its stupidity, highlighting that a true king would understand such dangers, leaving the Ape humiliated.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to humiliation
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's Fables are ancient Greek stories, often featuring anthropomorphic animals, used to teach moral lessons. They reflect societal observations on human nature and governance.
Plot Beats (9)
- The animals, bored and foolish, elect an Ape, known for its tricks and dancing, as their king.
- The Ape assumes its royal role, trying to appear dignified and wise.
- The Fox is deeply bothered by the animals' foolish choice and the Ape's arrogance, resolving to expose its unsuitability.
- The Fox finds a trap containing a piece of meat by a ditch.
- The Fox informs the Ape that it has discovered a 'treasure' in the common pasture, which rightfully belongs to the king.
- The Ape, without suspicion, rushes to claim the supposed treasure.
- As the Ape places its paws on the trap, they are caught.
- The humiliated and enraged Ape curses the Fox, calling it a rebel and traitor, and threatens revenge.
- The Fox, unconcerned, laughs mockingly and departs, stating that a king who doesn't even understand what a trap is, is no king at all.
Characters
Kettu
A medium-sized fox with a slender, agile build. Its fur is a vibrant reddish-orange, particularly dense and bushy on its tail. It moves with a cunning grace, always appearing alert and observant.
Attire: None, as it is an animal, but its fur is its defining 'attire'.
Wants: To expose the Monkey's foolishness and punish its arrogance, thereby correcting the animals' poor judgment in choosing a king.
Flaw: Can be overly critical and takes pleasure in others' downfall, which might be seen as cruel.
Serves as the catalyst for the Monkey's downfall, successfully executing its plan to reveal the king's incompetence. It remains consistent in its cunning nature.
Cunning, intelligent, observant, vengeful, and sarcastic.
Apina
A medium-sized monkey, likely a macaque or similar species, with a somewhat stocky build. Its fur is a dull brown or grey, with lighter fur on its belly and face. It has nimble hands and feet.
Attire: Initially, it wears a golden crown, likely simple and ill-fitting, signifying its kingship.
Wants: To maintain its position of power and be seen as a wise and respected ruler, despite lacking the qualities for it.
Flaw: Extreme vanity and lack of critical thinking; easily deceived by flattery and unable to recognize danger.
Begins as an undeserving king, full of self-importance. Its arc is one of public humiliation and downfall, revealing its true foolish nature.
Vain, arrogant, foolish, easily flattered, and quick to anger when humiliated.
Locations
The Animals' Assembly Ground
An open, grassy clearing in a Nordic forest, likely a traditional gathering place for animals, surrounded by tall pine and birch trees. The ground is covered with moss and fallen pine needles.
Mood: Initially festive and easily swayed, later perhaps a bit foolish or regretful.
The animals gather here to elect the Monkey as their king, based on his entertaining dances.
Ditch by the Pasture
A shallow, overgrown ditch running alongside a 'general pasture' in a Nordic landscape. The ditch banks are likely muddy and covered with common Finnish ditch vegetation like reeds, sedges, and possibly some burdock leaves. A hidden animal trap is set within the ditch.
Mood: Deceptive, ordinary, then suddenly tense and humiliating.
The Fox discovers the trap here and later lures the Monkey to it, leading to the Monkey's capture and humiliation.