Long ago, in a forest where the trees whispered secrets to the wind and the rivers sang their own songs, there lived a monkey known for his quick thinking and restless energy. The animals of the forest respected him, though some kept their distance, for they knew that his sharp mind often worked in ways that left others feeling tricked. This was the clever monkey, small in size but big in cunning.
One dry season, the forest grew quiet. The streams thinned to trickles and the fruits withered on the trees. The animals began to grow desperate for food and water. Among them was the great leopard, feared by all for his speed and sharp claws. The leopard was hungry and restless, and his eyes often followed the monkey through the branches with a look that made the smaller animal’s heart beat faster.
One afternoon, as the sun blazed overhead, the leopard called out, “Monkey, come down from your tree. I have a proposal for you.” The monkey paused, gripping the branch tightly. He knew that the leopard’s words were as dangerous as his claws. “What kind of proposal?” the monkey asked.
“I have heard,” said the leopard, “that there is a hidden grove deep in the forest where the fruit trees are still heavy with food and a clear spring flows. But the grove is guarded by the old crocodile, and I cannot cross the river to reach it. If you help me get the fruit, I will share it with you.”
The monkey tilted his head, pretending to think. He could almost taste the sweet fruit, but he also knew the leopard’s nature. “Very well,” he said. “I will help you, but we must travel carefully, for crocodile has a sharp memory and a sharper mouth.”
They set out together, the monkey swinging from branch to branch while the leopard padded silently below. Soon they reached the riverbank. The crocodile was there, half submerged, his eyes like two stones in the water. “Who comes to my river?” the crocodile rumbled.
“It is I, your old friend,” the monkey said cheerfully. “And I bring you a gift.”
The crocodile’s eyes narrowed. “What gift?”
“A fine piece of meat,” the monkey replied, nodding toward the leopard. The leopard froze, realizing too late that the monkey’s cleverness was already at work. “But first,” the monkey continued, “you must close your eyes and open your mouth wide to receive it.”
The crocodile, suspicious but curious, did as the monkey said. At that moment, the monkey leapt onto the crocodile’s snout and sprang across the river to the far bank. The leopard, realizing the trick, roared with fury, but the crocodile turned on him with a grin full of teeth. The leopard scrambled back into the forest, escaping with his life but not his pride.
On the far bank, the monkey found the hidden grove just as the leopard had described. The trees bent under the weight of ripe fruit, and the spring bubbled with clear water. He ate until his belly was round and then carried as much as he could back to his family. From that day on, the leopard never again tried to make deals with the clever monkey, and the crocodile kept a sharper watch on strangers at the river.
The forest remembered the story for many seasons. Parents told it to their children at night, reminding them that quick thinking could be as powerful as strength, and that trusting the wrong friend could lead to danger.
Moral Lesson
The story of The Clever Monkey teaches that intelligence and quick thinking can overcome even the greatest physical strength. It also reminds us to be cautious in dealing with those whose nature is dangerous, no matter how tempting their promises may sound. Trust should be given with care, for not every friendly offer comes from a friendly heart.
Knowledge Check
1. What is the main lesson from The Clever Monkey folktale?
The main lesson is that quick thinking and intelligence can protect you from danger, even when facing someone much stronger.
2. How does the monkey outsmart the leopard in the story?
The monkey tricks the crocodile into thinking the leopard is a gift of meat, causing the leopard to flee and leaving the monkey free to reach the grove.
3. Why did the leopard want the monkey’s help?
The leopard needed the monkey’s help to cross the river and reach a grove guarded by the crocodile, as he could not cross the river himself.
4. What role does the crocodile play in The Clever Monkey folktale?
The crocodile serves as the guardian of the grove and becomes part of the monkey’s trick to keep the leopard away.
5. What does the hidden grove symbolize in the folktale?
The hidden grove represents both temptation and reward, showing that opportunities often require risk and cleverness to reach.
6. Why is The Clever Monkey considered a trickster tale?
It is considered a trickster tale because the monkey uses wit and deception to escape danger and achieve his goal, a common feature in traditional trickster stories.
Cultural Origin: Hutu Folktales,Rwanda
