In a small coastal village nestled at the foot of towering cliffs, life moved to the rhythm of the ocean waves. The humble collection of huts stood just beyond the reach of the highest tides, where the people had wisely built their homes. At the very edge of this settlement grew a magnificent tree, ancient and generous, its massive branches stretching in two directions, half shading the village homes, half extending over the deep blue waters where sharks loved to swim and splash beneath the cliff’s shadow.
This tree bore the most delicious fruit, and every morning as the sun painted the sky gold and crimson, a large grey monkey would climb to the topmost branches for his breakfast. There he would sit, chattering contentedly to himself, savoring each sweet bite of the juicy kuyu fruit.
One particular morning, after the monkey had eaten his fill from the landward side, he swung gracefully along the branches that hung over the sparkling sea. As he searched for a comfortable perch in the shade, he noticed a shark circling below, its dark eyes fixed upon him with unmistakable hunger.
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“Can I do anything for you, my friend?” the monkey called down politely.
The shark’s voice rose up, smooth as silk. “Oh, how kind of you to ask! If you would be so generous as to throw down some of that delicious fruit, I would be forever grateful. You see, after fifty years of eating nothing but fish, one grows desperately weary of the taste of salt. I long for something sweet and fresh.”
The monkey, sympathetic to the shark’s plight, plucked a ripe kuyu and called out, “Well, I’m no fan of salt myself! Open wide, and I’ll drop this beautiful fruit straight into your mouth.”
But hitting a shark’s mouth from such a height proved more challenging than expected. The first fruit merely bounced off the shark’s teeth and splashed into the water. The second attempt, however, landed perfectly.
“Marvelous!” the shark exclaimed. “Please, another!” And so began an unusual friendship, with the monkey tossing fruit and the shark catching it with increasing skill.
This delightful arrangement continued for many weeks. The two unlikely companions would meet each morning, sharing breakfast and conversation. They spoke of their families, their children, and the wonders of their different worlds. The monkey grew curious about the mysterious realm beneath the waves, and the shark eagerly described coral palaces, schools of rainbow fish, and treasures scattered across the ocean floor. With each tale, the monkey’s discontent with his simple palm grove home deepened.
Sensing opportunity, the shark made his move. “My dear friend, I wish I could properly repay your kindness. I have nothing to offer you here, but if you would honor me by visiting my underwater kingdom, I would gladly give you any treasure that catches your eye.”
The monkey’s teeth chattered with excitement, as they always did when he was pleased,but doubt crept in. “I would love nothing more! But how could I possibly get there? I cannot swim, and the very thought of being in water makes me ill!”
“Worry not,” the shark assured him smoothly. “Simply ride upon my back, and I promise not a single drop will touch you.”
And so it was decided. The next morning, the shark positioned himself beneath the tree, and the monkey dropped neatly onto his broad back. After the initial nervousness subsided, the monkey began to thoroughly enjoy the journey, peppering his guide with endless questions about the strange and wonderful sights passing by.
Six sunrises and sunsets later, when they had traveled far from shore, the shark’s voice took on a more serious tone. “My friend, we are halfway to my kingdom. There is something I must tell you.”
“Oh?” The monkey’s cheerful mood dimmed slightly. “Nothing troublesome, I hope?”
“Not at all,” the shark replied, though his words carried weight. “It’s simply that our sultan is gravely ill, and the only cure for his condition is… a monkey’s heart.”
The monkey’s mind raced, instantly understanding the terrible trap. But he kept his voice calm and thoughtful. “Poor sultan! How unfortunate. Though I must say, you should have mentioned this before we left.”
“What do you mean?” asked the shark, confused.
“Well,” the monkey said carefully, “had you told me while we were still on land, I would have brought my heart with me.”
The shark stopped swimming. “Your heart? What are you talking about? Isn’t your heart inside you?”
“Good heavens, no!” the monkey exclaimed, as if explaining something obvious to a child. “Don’t you know that we monkeys always hang our hearts on trees when we leave home? They’re far too troublesome to carry around. But perhaps you think I’m lying because I’m frightened? Very well, let’s continue to your kingdom, and you can search me thoroughly. If you find my heart, you may kill me.”
The monkey’s tone was so matter-of-fact, so utterly convinced, that the shark’s confidence wavered. What was the point of continuing if the monkey’s heart wasn’t with him?
“We must turn back immediately,” the shark decided. “You can fetch your heart, and then we’ll return.”
“If you insist,” the monkey said with feigned reluctance. “It’s such a terribly long journey, but perhaps you’re right.”
The shark swam as fast as his powerful tail could propel them, and within three days, they spotted the familiar kuyu tree. The monkey leaped gratefully into the branches and called down, “Wait here! I’m famished,let me have a quick breakfast, then I’ll retrieve my heart.” He climbed higher and higher until he was hidden from view, then curled up comfortably and fell asleep.
After some time, the impatient shark called out, “Are you there? We must hurry!”
The monkey woke with a start. “Oh yes, I’m here. You’ve interrupted the loveliest nap!”
“Have you found your heart? It’s time to leave!”
“Leave?” The monkey’s voice dripped with amusement. “Leave for where?”
“My kingdom! With your heart! Have you forgotten already?”
“My dear, foolish friend,” the monkey replied with a loud chuckle, “do you take me for a washerman’s donkey?”
The shark’s confusion turned to irritation. “What nonsense is this about a washerman’s donkey? Stop playing games!”
“You’ve truly never heard the tale?” The monkey settled into a comfortable position. “The washerman’s donkey is the creature with no heart at all. Since I’m feeling unwell and the sun is too hot for travel, let me tell you the story…”
And so the monkey recounted the elaborate tale of the foolish donkey who visited the lion twice, despite knowing the danger—and how the hare convinced the lion that any creature stupid enough to return to certain death must surely have no heart at all.
When the story ended, the monkey called down cheerfully, “So you see, I’m no washerman’s donkey—I most certainly have a heart, and I’m far too clever to give it to you! The sun is setting now, and you have a nice cool journey ahead. I do hope you find your sultan in better health. Farewell!”
And with that, the clever monkey disappeared into the green canopy, leaving the outwitted shark to swim home empty-handed.
The Moral of the Story
This tale reminds us that intelligence and quick thinking can triumph over physical power and deception. The monkey’s wit saved him from the shark’s treachery, teaching us to stay alert, think creatively in dangerous situations, and never trust those whose kindness may hide darker intentions. True wisdom lies not in strength, but in the ability to see through lies and turn them to one’s advantage.
Knowledge Check
Q1: What role does the monkey play in this African folktale? A: The monkey serves as the clever trickster figure common in African folklore, using his intelligence and quick wit to outsmart a physically powerful predator. His role demonstrates that wisdom and mental agility can overcome brute strength and deceitful schemes.
Q2: Why does the shark befriend the monkey in the story? A: The shark befriends the monkey with ulterior motives—to lure him into the ocean so he can obtain the monkey’s heart as a cure for his sultan’s illness. The friendship is built on deception from the shark’s perspective, though the monkey initially believes it to be genuine.
Q3: What is the significance of the “washerman’s donkey” story within the tale? A: The embedded story of the washerman’s donkey serves as the monkey’s clever escape plan. It establishes the concept of a creature “without a heart” by demonstrating that any animal foolish enough to return to danger twice must lack the good sense that comes from having a heart. This allows the monkey to mockingly compare the shark to such a foolish creature.
Q4: What cultural values does this African tale emphasize? A: This tale emphasizes intelligence over physical power, the importance of being cautious with strangers bearing gifts, and the value of storytelling itself as a tool for teaching and survival. It reflects the African oral tradition’s focus on using animal characters to convey wisdom about human nature and social interactions.
Q5: How does the monkey escape from the shark’s trap? A: The monkey escapes by convincing the shark that monkeys hang their hearts on trees when traveling, claiming he left his heart behind. This creative lie persuades the shark to return to shore, where the monkey safely returns to his tree. He then mocks the shark with the washerman’s donkey story, making it clear he was never foolish enough to trust the shark’s true intentions.
Q6: What does this story teach about trust and friendship? A: The tale warns against trusting too quickly or accepting help from those whose motives may be questionable. The shark’s friendship was never genuine—it was a calculated deception. The story encourages discernment in relationships and teaches that apparent generosity may sometimes mask harmful intentions.
