Exploring the value of humility through the fable of Jupiter and the Animals.
The video
BEN: Hiya, I'm Ben and this is the amazing story of Jupiter and the Animals. Do you enjoy looking at all the different animals there are in the world? I'm sure you do. They're all so different.
Difficult shapes and sizes…
Different colours and disguises…
And the story's told of someone else who enjoyed looking at all the animals - Jupiter, the king of the animals! Jupiter was so powerful: he could throw a lightning bolt at anyone who annoyed him.
One day, Jupiter was in a really good mood and decided to ask the animals if there was anything he could do to help. After all, he was king of the animals. So, he came down to Earth to make them an offer.
If one of these monkeys wanted a long neck like a giraffe, he could do that. And if one of these giraffes wanted a trunk like the elephant, he could do that too. Although, it might look a bit funny.
So, Jupiter gathered all the animals around him and said, "Hello, animals of the forest, fish of the sea, birds of the air. It's a great day, because today I can help you become the kind of animal that you'd like to be."
"If you'd like a longer nose like an ant-eater, or stronger legs to jump like a kangaroo, or have beautiful pink feathers like the flamingo, now is the time to say. And I, the all-powerful king of the animals, will make it happen. Right, who's first?"
To be honest, the animals were a bit stunned. What an offer! They couldn't believe their ears, and so they began to have a think and look around each other and after a few moments, the kangaroo spoke up…
"Tell you what you could do, mate, you could get rid of them silly humps on that camel. Have you ever seen anything so ridiculous?" But the camels were furious. They needed those humps to keep water in for long trips across the desert, and they were about to give the kangaroo a piece of their minds when the giraffe spoke up.
"If anyone looks ridiculous, it's the kangaroo. All that bouncing about and carrying your little ones in a pouch in your tummy. Oi, Jupiter, sort out the kangaroo!"
But the kangaroo did not like that at all. And she was about to say what she thought of the giraffe's silly long neck, but it was the lemur who spoke up next.
"Good idea," said the lemur, "and while we're making changes, go and find that elephant and make it smaller. It really is a ridiculous size and…"
"Oi! What you got against big animals," shouted the elephant. The lion agreed and roared. And soon, the animals were having a huge argument. Every animal pointing out what was wrong with the other.
Tortoises laughing at orangutans for their silly-looking arms, penguins pointing out the enormous bills on the pelicans. "Stop! Stop! Stop!"
Jupiter was very disappointed in the animals. What a bunch of proud animals they were. All of them thought they were better than the other. No humility at all. Jupiter said his offer for improvements had ended. Because of their pride, they had missed their chance.
So, with that, off he went. Mind you, I think animals are already pretty amazing. Thanks for helping me tell today's story, which was based on an old fable. See you again soon. Bye.
There are many fables which feature Jupiter, who was the king of the gods in Roman mythology. In this fable Jupiter offers to help the animals by changing any of their characteristics. But instead of considering their own characteristics and what they could improve, the animals begin to look at each other and criticise. Jupiter becomes exasperated and tells the animals they have missed their chance for his help.
The fable helps us to reflect on humility. Being humble means that you don’t believe that you are better or more important than someone else. In this fable the animals would have acted with humility if they had thought about themselves and how they might change for the better.
Duration: 4' 14"
Final words: 'See you again soon. Bye!'
Video questions
- We find out at the beginning of the story that Jupiter wants to help the animals. How does he want to do this? (He offers to help the animals to change or improve themselves)
- Which animal does the kangaroo think should change and how? (The kangaroo thinks the camels should get rid of their humps)
- What other problems do the other animals suggest?
- Why does Jupiter get annoyed with the animals? What does he tell them? (Because they keep criticising each other. He tells them they have missed their chance for his help)
Teacher Notes
Fables in general are a great way of thinking about humility. You could look at two more fables and see if the characters are proud or humble - do they think they are better than others? A good example would be 'The Hare and the Tortoise' (see Related BBC Teach content, below). The Tortoise isn’t proud but is humble and keeps going. The Hare’s attitude is proud - he is boastful and puts down his opponent. In 'The Lion and The Mouse' (see below) the Lion does not think that the Mouse can be any possible help to him - he is proud. These well-known fables - as well as 'Jupiter and the Animals' - show us that friends don’t think better of themselves, that it is good to know our own strengths and weaknesses, and that if we are humble and keep working at something we may achieve it! All of these things are aspects of humility.
The children might reflect on their own and others’ ideas, feelings and experiences. They might think about how people with religious and non-religious worldviews - eg Humanists - value humility. You might talk about ‘equality’ and the belief that every person is unique and special.
Think about the humility needed to complete an activity as a team. You could set a teamwork task for small groups like building a house with construction bricks or with uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows. Explain that humility is knowing that doing the activity by yourself isn’t always the best option and that having humility to share the task with others can help everyone to succeed.
Curriculum Notes
This short film will be relevant for teaching KS1 Religious Education in England and Northern Ireland, the Curriculum for Wales (particularly RVE as part of Humanities), and Early and 1st Level Religious and Moral Education in Scotland.
Further resources
Related BBC Teach content
The Hare and the Tortoise - Aesop's famous fable is read by the late Richard Briers
The Lion and the Mouse - again read by the late Richard Briers
