The Wolf Who Would Be a Lion
Story Summary
In this entertaining moral story, a foolish man, convinced of his own greatness, becomes a Commissioner for an exhibition of the mentally challenged and is mistakenly treated as one of the exhibits himself. As he is taken away to a glass case, he laments his ambition and wishes he had been content with his ordinary life, highlighting the best moral of the story: the dangers of overestimating oneself. This easy small story with a moral serves as a poignant reminder of the value of humility.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The story illustrates that seeking recognition beyond one's true abilities can lead to embarrassment and humiliation.
Historical Context
This story draws from the tradition of satire and absurdism prevalent in 19th-century American humor, particularly in the works of authors like Mark Twain and Ambrose Bierce, who critiqued societal norms and human folly. It reflects cultural attitudes towards intelligence, identity, and the absurdity of self-importance, echoing themes found in tales of mistaken identity and irony that have roots in folklore and fables from various cultures. The specific mention of the "Interasylum Exposition of Preserved Idiots" satirizes the social attitudes towards mental health and the treatment of individuals deemed different or inferior during a time when such individuals were often marginalized.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable illustrates the dangers of self-deception and the folly of overestimating one's worth based on others' opinions. In modern life, a real-life scenario could involve a person who, after receiving excessive praise on social media, confidently pursues a leadership role in a project without the necessary skills, only to be humiliated when their lack of competence is exposed, reflecting the need for humility and self-awareness.
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Other names for this story
The Foolish Commissioner, Misunderstood Greatness, The Exhibited Idiot, A Glass Case of Delusions, The Misguided Aspiration, From Wolf to Fool, The Preserved Pretender, The Glass Case Chronicles
Did You Know?
This story humorously critiques the absurdity of self-importance and the dangers of blind belief in one’s own greatness, illustrating how delusions of grandeur can lead to embarrassing situations. The character's mistaken identity as an exhibit highlights society's tendency to judge individuals based on superficial traits rather than their true value.
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