The Rat and the Elephant – Aesop’s Fables
On the shimmering pathway of the King, a self-assured Rat traveled. Despite his humble stature and the general disdain towards his kind, he held his tail high. As he sauntered, keeping to the confines of the ditch, a distant uproar piqued his curiosity. The sight that met his eyes was that of the royal parade. Riding the magnificently embellished Elephant was the King, sharing his splendid perch with the noble Cat and Dog. A sea of subjects trailed, mesmerized by the Elephant’s splendor, utterly disregarding the Rat. This slight stung his pride.
With a hint of indignation, he proclaimed, “What folly! Set your sights on me, and that overbearing Elephant would pale! Is it his towering presence or his aged skin that captivates? I too possess the senses and limbs! My worth equals his!”
But destiny had its jest, for the regal Cat’s gaze locked onto him. In that fleeting moment, the Rat’s delusions crumbled, realizing he wasn’t quite the epitome of majesty.
What principles and lessons can be learned from the above stories?
The forest’s dappled light witnessed a lesson that day: similarity in some aspects doesn’t grant unparalleled greatness. It’s crucial to discern between aspiration and overestimation.
