116. Simius Rex et Vulpes. In quadam brutorum animalium corona, simius saltabat. Qua quidem in re cum se mirifice atque egregie tulisset, rex ab illis extemplo renuntiatur. Ei vero vulpes invidens, cum laqueo suppositas carnes alicubi vidisset, eum illuc adduxit et has inquit a se repertas; iuxta leges non sibi sumpsisse, sed muneri ei debitas servasse, ac simul ut capiat hortatur. Tum simius, inconsulto accedens, ut laqueo irretitum se sentit, vulpem ut dolosam insidiosamque incusat. Ei vero vulpes “Tune,” inquit, “O simie, fortuna talem ad dignitatem evectus, brutis animantibus dominaris?” Fabula ostendit eos quoque, qui res inconsiderate aggrediuntur, praeter calamitates, deridiculos etiam esse.
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SLIDESHOW of all the Griset images. You can tell that Griset had fun imagining just which animals were in attendance at the monkey's winning performance!
M0116 = Perry081. Source: De Furia 69. This is Perry 81. Compare the fable of the peacock who wanted to be king of the birds, #454. For another story about a dancing monkey, see #125, #145, or #242.
