A prince had some monkeys trained to dance. Being natural mimics of human actions, they proved to be apt pupils. When dressed in fine clothes and masks, they danced as well as any courtier. The spectacle was often met with great applause.
On one occasion, a mischievous courtier took a handful of nuts from his pocket and threw them onto the stage. At the sight of the nuts, the monkeys forgot their performance. They pulled off their masks, tore their robes, and fought each other for the nuts, reverting to their true nature.
The dancing spectacle thus ended amidst the laughter and ridicule of the audience.
"Not everything you see is what it appears to be."