The acorn trick: Fooling the monkeys

A monkey-trainer in the state of Song was fond of monkeys and kept a great many of them. He was able to understand them and they would please him.

Indeed, he used to save some of his family’s food for them. But a time came when there was not much food left at home, and he wanted to cut down the monkey’s rations. He feared, however, they might not agree to this, and decided to deceive them.

“I’ll give you three acorns each morning and four each evening,” he said. ”Will that be enough?”
All the monkeys rose up to express their anger.
”Well, what about four in the morning and three in the evening?” he asked.
Then the monkeys squatted down again, feeling quite satisfied.

Philosophical Notes

The story of the monkey keeper is a brilliant and concise parable exploring human (and primate) psychology, the power of framing, the distinction between appearance and reality, and the manipulation of perception.

• Don’t be fooled by changes in presentation, labeling, or framing. Always look for the underlying substance or total reality.
• Be aware of how your perceptions and emotions can be manipulated by the way information is structured or delivered (framing effects).
• Cultivate the ability to see beyond immediate appearances and emotional reactions to understand the fundamental nature of a situation.
• Question authority figures who change the “name” or presentation without changing the underlying “substance” or outcome.
• Recognize that satisfaction is often subjective and influenced by expectation and context, not just objective gain.
• Avoid expending energy on anger over superficial rearrangements when the core remains unchanged.

The monkeys’ delight at receiving fewer acorns in the evening (just because they received more in the morning under the new label) is the punchline that underscores the profound folly of being captivated by names and appearances while ignoring substance. The story serves as an enduring warning against superficiality and a call for deeper discernment. It’s a masterclass in understanding the psychology of perception and manipulation.