The Monkey and the Dolphin

A Monkey, traveling by sea in the company of merchants, became great friends with a Dolphin who frequented the waters beside their vessel. The two creatures, discovering that they shared a love of play and amusement, would engage in all manner of jests and games. The Dolphin would leap from the water and perform acrobatic turns while the Monkey clapped his hands in delight. In turn, the Monkey would perform antics and amusing tricks that caused the Dolphin to splash and sport in the water with evident joy. The Monkey, in his foolish vanity, came to believe that the Dolphin's friendship and playful attentions were signs of deep affection and that the Dolphin regarded him as something more than a mere companion in sport. He began to tell the other travelers that the Dolphin had promised to carry him to Athens and introduce him to the great families of that city, where he would become wealthy and honored. One day, as the ship sailed near the coast of Athens, the Monkey, emboldened by his fantasies, prepared to leap into the water and ride upon the back of his friend the Dolphin, trusting that the creature would faithfully carry him to shore and to the prosperity he imagined. But a wise sailor, overhearing the Monkey's boastful claims, spoke to him gently: "Friend, take care that you confuse play with promise. The Dolphin's friendship in sport does not necessarily extend to such serious undertakings. It is dangerous to build your hopes upon the casual amusements of another." The Monkey, however, ignored this counsel, and when the Dolphin appeared beside the ship, he leapt upon the creature's back. The surprised Dolphin, unaccustomed to bearing such weight and unaware of the Monkey's expectations, immediately plunged beneath the waves. The Monkey, clinging in terror, was soon forced to release his grip and swim back to the ship. Thus did the Monkey learn that recreation and friendship have their proper bounds, and that to mistake playful entertainment for committed devotion leads to bitter disappointment and danger.