Clever Monkey and the Monster

Sham S.Misri

Long back a monster lived in a lake. Whenever any animal came to drink water, the monster would come out of the lake, catch him, and draw him down by force.

A group of monkeys once came to the lake to drink water. The monkeys were all thirsty. From the group of monkeys one monkey was very clever. He saw that from the many animals that went to the lake   none returned. He was suspicious and worried. He gave strict orders that no one was to drink water from the lake until he gave the word. So, the monkeys now waited by the waters of the lake, impatient, but thirsty.

The monster was very greedy and wanted to eat the monkeys. He popped up from the lake and said in a low and gentle voice “Why do you not drink? I live in this lake and I tell you that the water is pure, cool, and sweet. Drink! my friends, drink.”

“No, replied the clever monkey “your wishes will not be fulfilled. What do you mean?” asked the monster.

“You won’t be able to catch us. We will drink the water of the lake and yet not fall into your clutches.”

“How will you do that?” said the monster “You will see,” replied the clever monkey. The monkeys then plucked reeds from the marshes and drank the water through the reeds. Thus was the monster frustrated.