The Self-Made Monkey
Story Summary
In this short moral tale, a humble man in a high political office boasts about being a self-made man to a Monkey he encounters in the forest. The Monkey challenges his claim by demonstrating self-creation in a humorous way, ultimately conveying that merely being self-made does not constitute true achievement. This meaningful story imparts a simple lesson about the distinction between self-creation and genuine accomplishment, highlighting the value of humility and recognition of true merit.
A man of humble birth and no breeding, who held a high political office, was passing through a forest when he encountered a monkey.
"I take it you are one of my constituents," the man said.
"No," replied the monkey, "but I will support you if you can provide a valid claim to my approval."
"I am a self-made man," said the other proudly.
"That is nothing," the monkey replied. He then approached a larger pine tree and, using his own unaided efforts, climbed to the top branch. There, he sat, covered in the pitch that the tree exuded.
"Now," he added, "I am a self-made monkey."
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that claiming to be "self-made" may be less impressive than it seems, especially when compared to the natural talents and abilities of others.
Historical Context
This story reflects themes of self-identity and meritocracy, often found in fables and folklore across cultures, particularly those attributed to Aesop. The narrative critiques the notion of self-made success by contrasting the man's pride with the Monkey's demonstration of effort, mirroring broader societal discussions on authenticity and the value of humble origins versus ostentatious claims. Similar motifs of animals embodying human traits appear in various retellings, emphasizing moral lessons that resonate through time.
Our Editors Opinion
This story highlights the notion that self-proclaimed achievements can often be superficial and lack true merit, a lesson that resonates in today’s world where personal branding and image can overshadow genuine qualifications. For instance, in the modern workplace, an employee may boast about their rapid ascent in a company, but if their success relies solely on self-promotion rather than actual skill or contributions, they may find themselves exposed when real challenges arise.
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Other names for this story
The Ambitious Ape, The Empowered Primate, The Climbing Critter, The Aspiring Simian, The Rise of the Monkey, The Self-Reliant Monkey, The Political Primate, The Driven Monkey
Did You Know?
This fable highlights the theme of self-creation versus inherited status, illustrating that mere claims of being "self-made" do not necessarily equate to true merit or value, as demonstrated by the Monkey's dismissive response to the Man's pride. It underscores the idea that true achievement often requires more than just personal effort; it involves the recognition of one's actions and their actual impact.
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