The Apes and the Two Travelers
Story Summary
In "The Apes and the Two Travelers," two men—a truthful one and a liar—are captured by an Ape king who seeks their opinions. The liar flatters the king and is rewarded, while the truthful man calls the king and his court mere apes, leading to his punishment. This educational moral story highlights the humorous yet poignant lessons from moral stories about the consequences of truth and deception in the face of authority.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The story illustrates that flattery, even when dishonest, may be rewarded, while speaking the truth can lead to dire consequences in the presence of those who cannot accept it.
Historical Context
This story, often attributed to Aesop, reflects themes of truth and deception prevalent in ancient fables. Aesop's Fables, originating in ancient Greece, serve as moral lessons using anthropomorphism and allegory, with this particular tale illustrating the consequences of honesty in a world that often values flattery over truth. The narrative has been retold in various cultures, emphasizing the universal struggle between integrity and the desire for approval.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable highlights the modern dilemma of valuing flattery over honesty, illustrating how society often rewards those who bend the truth to gain favor. In a contemporary scenario, consider a workplace where an employee receives accolades for flattering the boss while another is dismissed for providing constructive criticism, reflecting how superficial praise can overshadow genuine feedback in pursuit of personal gain.
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Other names for this story
Truth and Lies Among Apes, The King of Apes' Judgment, Travelers and Their Deceit, Flattery and Consequences, Wise Words in Ape Land, The Tale of Two Travelers, Apes, Truth, and Deception, Lessons from the King of Apes
Did You Know?
This story highlights the theme of truth versus deception, illustrating how flattery can lead to reward while honesty may bring about punishment, reflecting the often harsh realities of societal values and the consequences of speaking the truth in a world that favors lies.
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Story Details
- Age Group
- kidschildrenstory for class 2story for class 3story for class 4story for class 5
- Theme
- truth vs deceptionthe consequences of honestythe nature of power and flattery
- Characters
- two travelerslying travelertruthful travelerking of the apesapes
- Setting
- land of Apesthronecourt