The Monkey and the Dolphin
It was an old custom among sailors to carry about with them little Maltese lap dogs, or monkeys, to amuse them on the voyage. So it happened once upon a time that a man took with him a monkey as a companion on board ship.
While they were off Sunium, the famous headland of Attica, the ship was caught in a violent storm and, being capsized, all on board were thrown in the water and had to swim for land as best they could. Among them was the monkey.
A dolphin saw the monkey struggling and, taking him for a man, went to his assistance and bore him on his back straight for shore. When they had just got opposite Piraeus, the harbor of Athens, the dolphin asked the monkey if he were an Athenian.
"Yes," answered the monkey, "assuredly, and of one of the first families in the place."
"Then, of course, you know Piraeus," said the dolphin.
"Oh, yes," said the Monkey, who thought it was the name of some distinguished citizen, "he is one of my most intimate friends."
Indignant at so gross a deceit and falsehood, the dolphin dived to the bottom, and left the lying monkey to his fate.