Moloa,Anthony Dave M.

MTS2B5 LIT 118

What is the theme of The Monkey and the Turtle by Jose Rizal?

- The Monkey and the Turtle" is a fable written by Jose Rizal, a renowned Filipino nationalist and writer,
that teaches the importance of wisdom, resourcefulness, and the value of true friendship. The story
revolves around a monkey and a turtle who become good friends despite their differences.

The main theme of the story is the importance of using one's wit and resourcefulness to overcome
challenges and obstacles. The story shows that although the turtle may appear weaker than the
monkey, he is able to outsmart the monkey by using his wisdom and cunning. This highlights the
importance of using one's abilities to the fullest, regardless of one's perceived weaknesses.

What is the brief summary of The Monkey and the Turtle?

- The Monkey and the Turtle" is a popular Philippine folktale about two friends, a monkey and a turtle.
The story begins with the monkey's hunger and the turtle's offer to share his food. In return, the monkey
invites the turtle to come and visit him in the trees where he lives. The turtle, unable to climb trees,
accepts the monkey's offer to carry him on his back. However, when they reach the monkey's home, the
monkey tricks the turtle and leaves him stranded on a branch. The clever turtle comes up with a plan to
get his revenge and outsmart the monkey. The story teaches a valuable lesson about trust and
deception.

When did Jose Rizal wrote the story of The Monkey and the Turtle?

- July 21 is National Children's Book Day in the Philippines. It also marks the date when Jose Rizal
published in English the tale of The Monkey and the Turtle in the July 1889 issue of Trübner's Oriental
Record in England. The Monkey and the Turtle is considered the first children's folktale in the
Philippines.

What does The Monkey and the Turtle symbolize?

1. Deception: The story can be seen as a cautionary tale about trusting others and the consequences of
deception. The monkey tricked the turtle and left him stranded on a tree, but the turtle was able to
outsmart the monkey in the end.
2. Wit and intelligence: The turtle's cleverness and quick thinking allowed him to get his revenge on the
monkey. This can be seen as a symbol of the value of intelligence and wit in overcoming obstacles.
3. Inequality and social status: The monkey, who lives in the trees, represents the upper class or those
in power, while the turtle, who lives on the ground, represents the lower class or those who are
oppressed. The story highlights the power dynamics between different social classes and the
potential for the oppressed to rise up and overcome their oppressors.
4. Friendship and betrayal: The story can also be interpreted as a lesson about true friendship and the
consequences of betrayal. The monkey and the turtle were friends, but the monkey's betrayal
ultimately led to his downfall.
Overall, "The Monkey and the Turtle" can be seen as a story that teaches important values and lessons about
trust, wit, social inequality, and friendship.