The Monkey And The Dolphin

by Aesop

　　It happened once upon a time that a certain Greek ship bound forAthens was wrecked off the coast close to Piraeus, the port ofAthens. Had it not been for the Dolphins, who at that time werevery friendly toward mankind and especially toward Athenians, allwould have perished. But the Dolphins took the shipwrecked peopleon their backs and swam with them to shore.

　　Now it was the custom among the Greeks to take their pet monkeysand dogs with them whenever they went on a voyage. So when one ofthe Dolphins saw a Monkey struggling in the water, he thought itwas a man, and made the Monkey climb up on his back. Then off heswam with him toward the shore.

　　The Monkey sat up, grave and dignified, on the Dolphin's back.

　　"You are a citizen of illustrious Athens, are you not?" asked theDolphin politely.

　　"Yes," answered the Monkey, proudly. "My family is one of thenoblest in the city."

　　"Indeed," said the Dolphin. "Then of course you often visitPiraeus."

　　"Yes, yes," replied the Monkey. "Indeed, I do. I am with himconstantly. Piraeus is my very best friend."

　　This answer took the Dolphin by surprise, and, turning his head,he now saw what it was he was carrying. Without more ado, hedived and left the foolish Monkey to take care of himself, whilehe swam off in search of some human being to save.

　　One falsehood leads to another.