The Ape, the Idiot & Other People

"The Ape, the Idiot & Other People" by W. C. Morrow is a compilation of late 19th-century short stories that search the meaning of freedom, friendship, and what it means to be human. The story begins with Romulus, an ape who, upon escaping from a circus train, discovers what freedom really means and he also finds himself confused by it. While exploring, Romulus meets Moses, a kind and simple man from an asylum. Together, wanting freedom and a friend, they begin an adventure that takes them to a graveyard where they stumble upon the burial of a young girl. This shared experience strengthens their friendship and highlights the surprising connections that can form across different species. Also, it explores people with different mental abilities, as Romulus and Moses go on this journey illustrating the books overarching ideas.