The Ape and the Fox

A valuable lesson when dealing with practised liars.

Introduction

If you are going to tell outrageous fibs, it is a good idea to do it when there is no one around to contradict you.

ONCE upon a time, a fox and an ape were travelling the same road, and passed through a cemetery.

The ape waved a leathery hand towards the rows of headstones. “All these” he said “mark the last resting place of slaves given their freedom by my ancestors”.

“I notice” said the fox drily “that you have picked the perfect spot to tell me this — in front of witnesses who are dead and buried, and cannot testify”.

And the moral of that is, the crafty liar chooses his time carefully.

based on a fable by Aesop of Samos

Based on Aesop’s fables as told by Syntipas (Sindibad), an Indian storyteller of about 100 BC.

Précis

A boastful ape claimed that his ancestors were so rich and so generous, that over the years the slaves they let go had filled a whole cemetery. His friend the fox reflected that good liars first make sure there is no one around to contradict them.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

Where were the ape and the fox when the conversation started?

The Ape and the Fox

Introduction

Précis

Sevens

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