Why Monkeys Live in the Trees

The monkeys were a very happy family. They had a little warm house made of wood, beautiful, lively children, whom they loved very much, and plenty to eat and drink. They liked to play and jump about, to run after each other, and they were pleased with everything.

“Old girl,” said the monkey to his wife one day, “What's the matter with our cousins? Why didn't they come to see us yesterday?”

“They are meeting trouble,” answered his wife.

“You said ‘trouble’, didn't you?” asked the husband.

“Yes, my dear, I did,” she said.

“But who is Trouble? Why don't I know him? I have neither met nor seen him around here.”

“It's a good thing not to meet trouble, and you must be glad of it,” answered the wife.

“I do not like your answer. You did not say who Trouble was,” said the monkey. “I want to know who Trouble is.”

“Don't talk like that, my love. All the animals are going to laugh at you if they hear that you want to meet trouble. You listen to me and don't think any more about it.”

“But how is it that everybody knows who Trouble is and I don't?” the monkey said again.

“Well, I have no time for a talk like that, my dear. I must look after the little ones. It's a pity you do not listen to me. I think you are going to pay for it. Meet trouble, but I do not think you are going to be happy about it. Well, here is a nice cold drink to cool your head off.”

“She is not right,” the monkey thought about his wife. “I must learn who Trouble is. I am going to ask the Old Bear about it. Yes, it's a good thing to go to the Old Bear.”

And the monkey went to the Old Bear, who was too old to go out, but knew and understood everything. When the monkey saw the Old Bear, he said: “How do you do, Old Bear?”

“How do you do, Monkey?” said the bear.

“How are you?” asked the monkey.

“I am fine, thank you. What brought you to me?”

“I want to know who Trouble is. I want to meet Trouble.”

“Whom do you want to meet? Trouble?” repeated the bear.

“Yes, Trouble. My wife is angry with me for that, but I am not going to listen to her. Please help me, Old Bear.”

“Well,” said the bear. “If you want me to help you, I will. But you are a fool if you want to meet trouble.”

He went away and soon came back with a large bag made of cotton.

“Here, brother,” said he, giving the bag to the monkey. “I think you know what you are doing. Take this bag and carry it into an open field. When you are in the field, open the bag and see what is in it.”

“But am I going to meet Trouble in the end?” he asked the bear.

“Of course you are, and very soon. You are going to learn what trouble is. And when you come back here, report to me what you have seen.”

“Thank you very much for your help.”

“Don't mention it. Your wife knows a thing or two if she tells you not to meet trouble. It's a pity you don't listen to her. Remember me to your wife.”

“Yes, certainly. So long.” “So long.”

The monkey picked up the bag, put it on his back and went to the field. “Well, are you going to get down and meet trouble? Why don't you come down?” barked the dog.

But the monkey did not say a word. All day long he sat in the tree and cried. When night came and it became cool and the pale moon showed its round face in the sky, the dog ran away. Then the monkey got down from the tree and went back to his wife. He told her everything.

“That's what I call thick-headed,” said the wife. “Remember my words and do not trouble trouble till trouble troubles you. I don't think you want to meet trouble anymore.”

“Oh, no, I don't,” answered the monkey.

After that, the monkey told all his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren not to come down from the trees. And from that day on, they have always lived in the trees.