Animals in the Fable

The fable is one of the most favorable portrayals of non-human animals in Arabic literature. Animals claim several times to be convinced monotheists, and even Muslims. The cries of some creatures are said to be prayers in praise of God, which humans fail to understand. In the end, the humans prevail in the contest not because they alone are rational, but because the other animal species have not produced outstanding saintly figures boasted by humankind.