Think Out Loud – A Lesson in Humility

Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is on Aesop’s Fable, The Monkey as King. Aesop’s Fables is available for free download here.

The Fable

“At a gathering of all the animals the Monkey danced and

delighted them so much that they made him their King. 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?” 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!”

Note: There’s a country song that has the words, “It’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way.” Every time I hear the song I chuckle and think of myself until my next humbling experience happens, usually within the hour. Real humility is a sign of strength. It is like the eons of time that passed as the Colorado River wedged its way through the Grand Canyon flowing a mile below the North Rim. Humble people know who they are. They know their strengths and weaknesses. They are aware of their light and dark sides.