The Mountain And The Squirrel / The Fable

Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem "The Mountain and the Squirrel" is a witty and insightful exploration of individual worth and self-acceptance.

In this short poem, a mountain and a squirrel engage in a conversation. The mountain initially looks down on the squirrel due to its small size and perceived insignificance, while the mountain considers itself grand and important.

However, the squirrel retorts, pointing out that it can crack a nut, which is something the mountain cannot do. Emerson's message here is clear and powerful: everyone, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, has unique abilities and strengths and should not be judged solely on size or appearance.

Key Point: Every individual has an intrinsic value and role to play.

This poem reflects Emerson's transcendentalist views, emphasizing self-reliance, the value of the individual, and the spiritual connection between nature and all living beings.

In Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem "The Mountain and the Squirrel," the question being posed isn't asked in the poem but one that is assumed.

Getting the reader to think and process the words on a higher level is a measure of the immense talent Emerson wields in his pen.

"Do you even matter?" is the question from the mountain to the lowly squirrel.

Emerson's focus of this piece is on the value of individuals in relation to their size or perceived strength. As the mountain belittles the squirrel due to its small stature, the squirrel doesn't take offense, but instead responds that it can crack a nut, and in a "tongue-in-cheek" delivery, reminds the mighty mountain that it cannot.

So, the answer to the question, or Emerson's moral of the poem, is that every being has its unique value and abilities, irrespective of its size or the perceptions of others. No one should feel insignificant because each has a special role and function in the world. This understanding is the central theme of the poem.