The Monkey and The Shark
Once there was a monkey who lived in a big fruit tree. The trees was quite close to the sea, and he could see all kinds of fishes swimming and playing around. He made friends with one of them, a big shark who came every day to sit under the tree. So each time the big fish sat under the tree, the monkey told him stories and all that had been happening on land. He even brought the shark food now and then.
One day the shark said to the monkey, “Please come with me to my house. I would like you to see all my family. I always talk about you and they all wish to see you.”
“That’s kind of you,” answered the monkey, “but the trouble is I can’t swim. How can I get to your home?”
“Oh, that’s allright. You just sit on my back and I’ll carry you all the way to my house!”
“Splendid! As you wish!” replied the monkey, and jumped down on to the shark’s back. Then the shark swam across the sea carrying the monkey.
When they were a long way from the shore the shark said, “I’m sorry, but actually I’m not taking you to see my family. I’m taking you to our king. He is ill and the doctor says he will only get better if he eats the heart of a monkey.”
The monkey was shocked to discover his friend could ever do such a thing to him. He always also terribly frightened, although he did not show it. He pretended to be his calm self, and thinking quickly a moment, he said, “Why didn’t you tell me that before we started off just now? I didn’t bring my heart with me!”
“What?” said the shark. “Do you mean that you left your heart behind?”
“Yes, that’s right,” answer the monkey.
“Oh, don’t you know? Let me explain about the heart of monkey. You see, we monkeys are not like other animals. We don’t always carry our hearts about with us. I’ve left mine up in my tree, So if you will take me back I’ll get it for you.”
“I still can’t understand.” said the shark, “but if you left your heart up in the trees, I suppose I must take you back for it.”
So the shark turned round and swam back to the tree. When they got there the monkey called out, “Look there’s my heart. Can you see it? Up there behind that nut! I’ll get it! I won’t be a minute!” With that the monkey quickly climbed the tree.
The shark sat down and waited for the monkey to come down again. He waited and waited a long time, but the monkey did not return. At last he called out anxiously, “Dear Monkey, my friend, aren’t you coming down? Haven’t you found your heart?”
The monkey called back, “My heart is here in my chest as always, but I’m not coming down. Leave me alone, Shark! You are not worth making friends with. I’ve been kind to you always. I’ve always respected you, and always appreciated you. I’ve done many things to please you. I’ve always tried to make you happy. But you are untrue to me. You want me to die! So go away, Shark. Leave me alone. Go away!”
and realized that all troubles of humanity from lack of Love. It seems like there is more depth here for later posts.
Comment by Jacques — May 23, 2009 @ 8:04 pm