Fable (The Mountain and the Squirrel) Summary & Analysis

In Short

• The big mountain mocks the small squirrel by calling it ‘little prig’.
• The squirrel replies that everything on this earth, however small or big, has its own significance and a reason to exist.
• The squirrel also adds that everyone has got unique capabilities and roles to play. For example, the mountain may be able to carry a forest, but it cannot crack a nut like the squirrel.

The Mountain and the Squirrel – Line by line analysis

The mountain and the squirrel
Had a quarrel;
And the former called the latter ‘Little Prig.’

The poem opens with a quarrel between a mountain and a squirrel. The argument begins with the mountain calling the squirrel ‘little prig’. A ‘prig’ is a person who behaves as if they are morally superior to others. So, we see the mountain mocking at the squirrel for its small size and most possibly for not giving the big mountain the special attention and importance it expects from the squirrel.

So, why did the mountain and the squirrel have a quarrel? They had a quarrel as the mountain thought itself to be more important than the squirrel for its size and might. It is therefore an irony that the mountain calls the squirrel a ‘prig’ where in reality the mountain itself claims superiority over the squirrel.

Bun replied,
‘You are doubtless very big;

The squirrel named Bun now accepts that without doubt the mountain is very big. Understandably, the squirrel has no problem with their respective sizes, but the mountain seems to be proud for its own size and power.

But all sorts of things and weather
Must be taken in together,
To make up a year
And a sphere.

The squirrel continues its argument saying that all kinds of things, however small or big, stay together to make this world (sphere) what it is now. Everything has a reason to exist. If anything goes missing, the balance will be disturbed. Likewise, all the seasons (weather) stay together to make the year a complete whole.

Here we see that the squirrel is really wise and highlighting the theme of life in harmony with all existence. Everyone has their value and specific role to play in God’s creation.

And I think it no disgrace
To occupy my place.

As we already noted earlier, the squirrel has no issue with its small size and it finds no disgrace or dishonour to occupy a small place on this earth as a small creature, to live in its own way and to play its specific role as given by the nature.

If I'm not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry.

It’s going like a one-sided argument now. The squirrel challenges the mountain by saying that small size has its own benefits too.

The mountain may be large and powerful. But the squirrel’s small size makes it flexible, agile and move faster from one place to another. And being large, the mountain is not half as active (spry) as the squirrel can be.

If the large size is the mountain’s strength, lack of agility is its weakness. So, no one is perfect in this world and one should not boast of their size and ability.

I'll not deny you make
A very pretty squirrel track;
Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;

The squirrel once again accepts the mountain’s strengths. It knows that a very nice path can be made for the squirrel through the forest on the mountain’s back. So, the squirrel gives credit where it is due. But it cannot accept the mockery the mountain makes for its small size.

The squirrel asserts that everyone has got its own talent, though they might be different. It also believes that everything has its value (all is well) and is well-organised (wisely put) by the creator of this world. No one should be belittled or ashamed of its size or capability.

If I cannot carry forests on my back,
Neither can you crack a nut.’

In these concluding two lines, the squirrel draws another comparison to prove that no one is superior to others. The squirrel cannot carry a forest on its back like the mountain. On the other hand, the mountain cannot crack a nut like the squirrel. So, everyone has their limits. They should not be compared.

The squirrel brings the message that no one is flawless. But the mountain is unable to see its own weakness. It considers others low and tries to mock and humiliate others.

The Mountain and the Squirrel – Word notes

• Quarrel: An angry disagreement; a fight of words.
• Prig: A person who is annoyingly proper or self-important.
• Doubtless: Without doubt; certainly.
• Weather: Rain, snow, sun, wind—all conditions of nature.
• Sphere: A ball or globe; a round, complete form.
• Occupy: To take up space; to hold a position or place.
• Disgrace: Shame; something that brings shame.
• Spry: Quick and agile; lively and active.
• Track: A mark or print left by movement.
• Talents: Natural abilities or skills.
• Wisely put: Arranged with wisdom; ordered well.
• Forests: Dense collections of trees; large woodlands.

Publication

"The Mountain and the Squirrel" (also known as "Fable") was written by Ralph Waldo Emerson and published in 1846 in his essay collection. Emerson was the leading figure of American Transcendentalism, a movement emphasizing self-reliance, individual worth, and spiritual connection to nature. The poem was originally written as part of his broader philosophical work. Although short and simple on the surface, the poem became a famous expression of Transcendentalist ideas about the value of every individual and the importance of accepting one's natural role. The poem has been widely reprinted in anthologies of children's literature and general poetry collections, making it accessible to readers of all ages. Its message—that all talents are valuable and all things have their place—has made it particularly popular in educational settings and in discussions of diversity and self-worth.

Context

Ralph Waldo Emerson lived in nineteenth-century America during the Transcendentalist movement (roughly 1830s–1850s). Transcendentalists believed that every individual has inherent worth, that nature reflects divine truth, and that people should trust their own intuition and reason rather than blindly following society. This was radical thinking for the time, as it challenged hierarchies based on wealth, class, and authority. Emerson himself had left the ministry to pursue philosophy and writing. His philosophy emphasized self-reliance and the spiritual connection between humans and nature. "The Mountain and the Squirrel" expresses these beliefs: every creature has worth, every talent is valuable, and every being has a purpose in the larger whole. The poem also reflects American democratic ideals, suggesting that size or power does not determine importance. In Emerson's worldview, the tiny squirrel is as essential as the massive mountain.

Setting

The poem's setting is a natural landscape where a mountain and squirrel encounter each other. The mountain is likely large and still, covered perhaps with forests or stone. The squirrel moves among this landscape, quick and small. The setting is outdoor and wild, not civilized. Implicitly, this is a timeless scene—it could be set in ancient times or present times, in America or elsewhere. The natural setting is important: the poem is not about human beings in cities or society, but about creatures in their natural habitats. The "year" and "sphere" mentioned in the poem widen the setting from a single moment to include all seasons and the entire world. The poem moves from a specific place (where mountain and squirrel meet) to a universal setting (nature itself, encompassing all places and times). This expansion mirrors the poem's shift from a specific quarrel to a universal truth about life.

Title

The title "The Mountain and the Squirrel" simply names the two characters but does not tell the story. By naming them equally in the title, Emerson suggests they have equal importance, despite their vast size difference. Some texts title this poem "Fable," emphasizing that it is a teaching story with a moral, in the tradition of Aesop's Fables. "Fable" highlights the poem's purpose: to teach a lesson through a story about animals. Yet the shorter title "The Mountain and the Squirrel" personalizes the characters and makes them feel more like actual beings having a real disagreement. The simplicity of the title matches the poem's simple language and clear message. It asks: what happens when a mountain and a squirrel meet? The poem answers by showing not a physical clash but a clash of perspectives about worth and value.

Form and language

The poem is short—just 14 lines—with a regular rhyme scheme. It uses rhyming couplets and alternating rhymes to create a flowing, almost musical quality. Lines are of varying length, from short ("Bun replied,") to longer, which gives the poem flexibility. The form is simple enough to be understood by readers of any age, yet sophisticated enough to contain genuine philosophical ideas. The language is conversational and plain: the squirrel speaks directly to the mountain and to the reader, using everyday words like "crack a nut" and "carry forests." There are no difficult or archaic words; instead, Emerson chose clarity. At the same time, phrases like "wisely put" and "occupy my place" carry weight and meaning. The poem also uses personification: the mountain and squirrel are given human abilities—they quarrel, speak, and reason together. This anthropomorphism (giving animals human qualities) makes the fable accessible and allows readers to relate to both characters.

Meter and Rhyme

The poem does not follow a strict, consistent meter, but rather uses a flexible, conversational rhythm. Some lines have a clear iambic beat; others vary. For example, "The mountain and the squirrel" uses a natural speech rhythm rather than a perfect metrical pattern. The varying line length and meter create a light, almost playful tone that suits the poem's whimsical beginning ("Had a quarrel"). Yet the meter becomes more serious as the squirrel delivers his argument. The rhyme scheme is largely couplet-based: "quarrel" / "squirrel," "Big" / "prig," "together" / "weather," "place" / "disgrace." These rhymes help tie related ideas together and create a sense of unity. The rhymes are never forced or awkward; they feel natural. Some rhymes are more distant (not perfect rhymes), which adds variation and prevents monotony. The overall effect is that the form is regular enough to be musical and easy to follow, but flexible enough to avoid sounding stiff or artificial.

The Mountain and the Squirrel – Themes

Acceptance of one's place and role

The squirrel's central message is acceptance: "I think it no disgrace / To occupy my place." He is small, and he accepts this without shame. He does not wish to be a mountain; he accepts his nature as a squirrel. This theme teaches readers to find peace with who and what they are, rather than constantly comparing themselves to others or wishing to be different. For Emerson and the Transcendentalists, this acceptance is tied to spiritual truth: every being has a purpose assigned by nature or God. To accept one's place is to align oneself with this deeper order. The theme does not mean passivity or lack of ambition; rather, it means excellence within one's own sphere.

The equal value of different talents

"Talents differ; all is well and wisely put." Every creature has different abilities. The mountain is strong; the squirrel is agile. Neither is better; they are suited to their natures. This theme challenges hierarchies based on size or power. A mountain's strength is not inherently superior to a squirrel's quickness. What matters is that each talent serves a purpose. The poem implies that society often judges worth by visible, grand qualities (size, power, wealth) while overlooking smaller, quieter talents. The final line—"Neither can you crack a nut"—shows that even the tiniest skill, which might seem trivial, is valuable and necessary. The theme celebrates diversity and reminds readers that different does not mean lesser.

Interdependence and wholeness

The image of "all sorts of things and weather" needing to be "taken in together" to make "a year / And a sphere" expresses interdependence. Nothing exists alone; everything is part of a larger whole. A year needs spring and summer and fall and winter; a sphere needs all its parts. Similarly, the world needs mountains and squirrels, big and small, strong and quick. No single element is the complete picture. This theme suggests that conflict and hierarchy arise from losing sight of wholeness. When the mountain sees only its own size, it forgets the squirrel's role. When people see only their own value, they forget others' contributions. The theme invites readers to see the world as an interconnected whole where every part is essential.

The Mountain and the Squirrel – Symbols

The mountain

The mountain symbolizes power, size, strength, and authority. Mountains are permanent, massive, and impressive. In the poem, the mountain initially represents arrogance: the belief that size equals worth and that smaller things are inferior. The mountain looks down on the squirrel not just physically, but with judgment. As a symbol, the mountain can represent any dominant group or power structure that judges others by its own measures. Yet the mountain also represents a real and necessary force: strength, stability, and permanence. The poem does not say the mountain is evil; it says the mountain is incomplete without the squirrel. The symbol reminds readers that power and size, while real, do not equal total worth or importance.

The squirrel (Bun)

The squirrel symbolizes humility, agility, cleverness, and the value of small things. Unlike the mountain, the squirrel does not take up space, draw attention, or command respect by sheer presence. Yet the squirrel is quick, clever, and capable. The name "Bun" suggests smallness and sweetness. As a symbol, the squirrel represents those whose talents and worth are often overlooked because they lack size or visible power. The squirrel is also resourceful and practical: it cracks nuts, stores food, and takes care of itself. These humble, necessary actions are often undervalued compared to grand or powerful deeds. The squirrel's dignified defense of his place teaches readers to take pride in their own quiet contributions and worth.

Cracking a nut

The ability to crack a nut symbolizes small, practical, necessary skills. A nut is a tiny thing in the world, yet it sustains life. Cracking it requires small teeth and paws, strength applied precisely at a small scale. The mountain, for all its grandeur, cannot do this. The symbol suggests that the world needs not only grand achievements but also practical, humble work. In human terms, this might represent any small but essential skill or role: teaching a child, tending a garden, listening to a friend. These are not impressive compared to building empires, yet without them, life would be hollow. The symbol challenges the reader's values: what do we consider important? Do we honor only the large and impressive, or do we also value what is small but necessary?

The Mountain and the Squirrel – Literary devices

• Personification: The mountain and squirrel are given human voices and the ability to argue. They think, feel, and speak like people, which makes them relatable and allows the poem to deliver moral lessons through their dialogue.
• Fable structure: The poem follows the traditional fable format: animals in a conflict reveal a moral. The moral here is about accepting one's place and valuing different talents. Fables are timeless teaching stories.
• Rhyming couplets: "quarrel / squirrel" and "Big / prig" and "together / weather" create a musical, balanced quality. The rhymes pair related ideas and make the poem memorable.
• Parallel structure: "If I cannot carry forests on my back, / Neither can you crack a nut" uses parallel grammar to balance two opposing abilities, showing their equality.
• Irony: The squirrel is not angry or sad but calmly makes a logical argument. His quiet, reasoned response to the mountain's insult is more effective than anger would be. This shows wisdom through gentleness.
• Understatement: Calling size-based judgment a "quarrel" minimizes the tension; the real battle is about perspective. This lightness makes the serious theme more accessible and less preachy.
• Metaphor: "all sorts of things and weather / Must be taken in together / To make up a year / And a sphere" compares different creatures to the seasons and parts of a globe, suggesting cosmic order and wholeness.