The Monkey as King by Aesop for ESL Students + New Words

The Monkey as King by Aesop for ESL students with a podcast, vocabulary practice in real context and a Persian version to raise bilingual children

The Monkey as King is now in the public domain available on Gutenberg Project.

Podcast of the Monkey as King

The Monkey as King

At a gathering of all the animals, the monkey danced and delighted them so much that they made him their king or monarch.

The Monkey as King by Aesop with a Persian version at LELB Society, a bilingual academy of English and Persian

The fox, however, was very much disgusted at the promotion of the monkey: so having one day, found a trap with a piece of meat in it, he took the monkey there and said to him, “Here is a dainty morsel I have found, sire; I did not take it myself, because I thought it ought to be reserved for you, our King. Will you be pleased to accept it?”

Persian Story for Kids Monkey and Golden Bell at LELB Society
Learn English with over 80 Aesop’s Fables with podcast and vocabulary practice in real context.

The monkey made at once for the meat and got caught in the trap. Then he bitterly reproached the fox for leading him into danger; but the fox only laughed and said, “O monkey, you call yourself King of the Beasts and haven’t more sense than to be taken in like that!”

English proverbs from the short story

All that glitters is not gold:

This proverb warns us not to be fooled by appearances. In this fable, the monkey’s entertaining tricks blind the animals to his lack of qualifications for leadership.

You can’t judge a book by its cover:

Similar to the above, this proverb tells us to look beyond the surface to understand something’s true worth. The monkey’s flashy performance doesn’t reflect his ability to be a wise and capable king.

A leader is only as good as their judgment:

This proverb emphasizes the importance of good decision-making in a leader. The monkey’s poor judgment lands him in a trap, highlighting his unsuitability for the role.

Vocabulary in context

  1. delighted: pleased, amused
  2. monarch: king
  3. disgusted: sickened, repulsed, revolted
  4. dainty: tasty and delicious
  5. morsel: a small piece of food
  6. sire: a respectable form of address for a king
  7. ought to: should, have to
  8. at once: right away, immediately
  9. reproach: admonish, chide, reprove, accuse
  10. sense: wisdom, common sense, logic

About the Author

Dr. Mohammad Hossein Hariri Asl

Dr. Mohammad Hossein Hariri Asl is an English and Persian instructor, educator, researcher, inventor, published author, blogger, SEO expert, website developer, entrepreneur, and the creator of LELB Society. He's got a PhD in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language).

Number of Posts: 4151

Related Keywords

2 thoughts on “The Monkey as King by Aesop for ESL Students + New Words”

  1. The monkey as king by Aesop tells that wisdom is more important than entertainment. For example, a student focuses on being the most popular in school instead of studying. They get admiration from their peers but struggle when real challenges come, like exams or career decisions. Meanwhile, another student who focused on learning succeeds in life. Therefore, popularity fades, but knowledge and wisdom bring long-term success.

    • Your interpretation of The Monkey as King highlights an essential lesson: wisdom and knowledge hold greater long-term value than mere popularity or entertainment. Just like the monkey in the fable, who may have seemed impressive at first but lacked the true qualities of a leader, a student who prioritizes popularity over learning may find temporary admiration but struggle when real challenges arise. In contrast, focusing on education and self-improvement leads to lasting success. This fable serves as a reminder that true leadership and achievement stem from wisdom, not just surface-level appeal.

Leave a Comment