Jupiter and the Monkey
Story Summary
In "Jupiter and the Monkey," a culturally significant moral story, Jupiter promises a reward for the handsomest offspring in the forest. The Monkey proudly presents her ill-featured son, asserting that he is the most beautiful in her eyes, despite the laughter of others. This short and sweet moral story teaches kids that a mother's love transcends appearances, highlighting simple lessons from stories about self-acceptance and inner beauty.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The love of a parent for their child transcends external appearances and societal opinions.
Historical Context
This fable is reminiscent of Aesop's collection of moral tales, which originated in ancient Greece around the 6th century BCE. Aesop's fables often feature anthropomorphized animals and convey moral lessons through their narratives, reflecting cultural values about family, perception, and self-acceptance. The story highlights the theme of maternal love and subjective beauty, common in various retellings across cultures, illustrating how love can blind one to flaws in their offspring.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable highlights the theme of unconditional love and the subjective nature of beauty, reminding us that personal connections often lead to biased perceptions of worth. In modern life, a parent may celebrate their child's unique talents and individuality, regardless of societal standards, as seen when a mother proudly shares her child's achievements at a school talent show, knowing that to her, their success is unparalleled.
You May Also Like
The Stag who Admired his Reflection
In this fable, a vain stag admires his beautiful antlers while lamenting his slender legs, believing the former to be more valuable. When a bloodhound pursues him, he discovers that his prized antlers hinder his escape, illustrating the simple moral that valuing beauty over utility can lead to one's downfall. This entertaining moral story serves as a reminder that what we often regard as beautiful may ultimately bring us strife, while the useful, though overlooked, is essential for survival.
The Oaks and Jupiter
In "The Oaks and Jupiter," a classic moral story, the oaks lament their constant threat of being cut down, feeling burdened by life. Jupiter responds with a wise lesson, explaining that their own strength and usefulness as pillars for carpenters and farmers make them targets for the axe. This engaging moral tale highlights how our qualities can lead to both advantages and misfortunes, a theme often found in childhood stories with moral lessons.
The Raven and the Swan
In "The Raven and the Swan," a raven envies the swan's beautiful white feathers and mistakenly believes that washing in water will grant him the same appearance. This simple moral story illustrates that despite his efforts to change his habits, the raven cannot alter his inherent nature, ultimately leading to his demise from starvation. Such short and sweet moral stories remind us that true change comes from within, not from superficial actions.
Other names for this story
Jupiter's Royal Decree, The Monkey's Bold Claim, Beauty in a Monkey's Eyes, Jupiter's Handsome Challenge, The Monkey's Heartfelt Pride, Forest Beasts and Beauty, A Mother's Love and Jupiter's Prize, The Unlikely Beauty Contest
Did You Know?
This fable highlights the theme of maternal love and subjective beauty, illustrating how a mother's affection can shape her perception of her child's worth, regardless of societal standards or opinions. It serves as a reminder that love often blinds us to imperfections and elevates our own to an unparalleled status.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.