The Fox and the Monkey

Story Summary
In "The Fox and the Monkey," a boastful Monkey claims that monuments in a cemetery honor his illustrious ancestors, who were esteemed freedmen. The clever Fox highlights the ease of lying when there are no witnesses to challenge the falsehoods, illustrating that a false tale often betrays itself. This fable serves as a life-changing story with a moral, reminding readers of the importance of honesty in impactful moral stories.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
Falsehoods can easily be exposed when there is no one to verify them.
Historical Context
This fable is a retelling from Aesop's Fables, a collection of moral stories attributed to the ancient Greek storyteller Aesop, who lived around the 6th century BCE. The fables often feature animals embodying human traits to convey ethical lessons, reflecting the cultural values of ancient Greek society, such as the importance of truth and the consequences of deceit. This particular fable highlights the absurdity of boasting about one's ancestry when it cannot be substantiated, a theme prevalent in various cultures that address the nature of pride and integrity.
Our Editors Opinion
This tale highlights the dangers of boasting about one's lineage or achievements without substance, a lesson that resonates in today's world of social media where individuals often curate misleading narratives about their lives. For instance, someone might post glamorous vacation photos while omitting the financial strain it caused, ultimately revealing their true situation to friends who only see the façade of success.
You May Also Like

A Needless Labour
In "A Needless Labour," a Skunk seeks revenge on a Lion for a perceived slight and confronts him with an unpleasant odor, believing it to be an effective tactic. However, the Lion dismisses the Skunk's efforts, revealing that he already recognized his identity, making the Skunk's actions pointless. This unique moral story teaches a valuable lesson about the futility of seeking revenge in educational moral stories for class 7.

The Crab and the Fox
In "The Crab and the Fox," a Crab forsakes the safety of the sea for a meadow, where it is ultimately devoured by a hungry Fox. Recognizing its error, the Crab reflects that it deserves this fate for straying from its natural habitat, imparting a valuable lesson about contentment and the importance of knowing one's place. This short moral story, suitable for personal growth, illustrates that true happiness lies in accepting our circumstances.

Philosophers Three
In "Philosophers Three," a heartwarming moral story for young readers, a Bear, Fox, and Opossum confront a flood with distinct philosophies on survival. The Bear bravely fights the danger, the Fox cleverly hides, and the Opossum feigns death to avoid conflict, showcasing different approaches to facing threats and imparting valuable lessons about courage and wisdom in storytelling with morals. Each character's choice reflects the diverse strategies one can adopt in challenging situations, making it a thought-provoking short story with moral insights suitable for class 7.
Other names for this story
Clever Tales, Monuments of Deceit, The Fox's Wisdom, Monkey's Lies, The Truth in Tales, Journey of Trickery, Legends of the Fox, Ancestral Deceptions
Did You Know?
This fable highlights the theme of deception and the dangers of boasting about false lineage, illustrating that unverified claims can easily go unchallenged, yet may ultimately reveal one's character. The Fox's clever retort underscores the futility of pride rooted in lies, emphasizing that the truth may eventually surface despite attempts to fabricate a noble heritage.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.