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The Story of the Great Monkey

A wise and brave monkey leader saves his tribe from danger, earning admiration and protection from a human king.
Leadership
Love
Bravery
Jataka Tales - The Story of the Great Monkey
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, in a dense forest near the Himalayas, there lived a tribe of monkeys. Their leader was a wise, kind, and brave monkey who was greatly respected and loved by all the monkeys in the tribe. This great monkey was always ready to protect and care for his followers.

The tribe lived happily on a beautiful, fruit-laden tree by the side of a river. The river was wide and dangerous, with swift currents and many unseen perils beneath the surface. The monkeys, being expert climbers and jumpers, managed to stay safe by avoiding the water.

One day, a human king with his entourage went hunting in the same forest. Tired and thirsty, they stopped by the riverside to rest and to get some water. The king saw the magnificent tree laden with fruits and desired to taste them. However, he couldn't reach them because the tree was too tall and its branches were hanging over the river.

The king, eager to taste the fruits, ordered his men to cut down the tree so that they could collect the fruits. The sound of axes and saws echoed in the forest, reaching the ears of the great monkey. He quickly realized the danger to his tribe and decided to save them.

Without wasting a moment, the great monkey swung from branch to branch, collecting all the monkeys. Then, he made a giant leap to a tree on the other side of the river. His aim was true, and he caught a sturdy branch. But he did not climb up right away. Instead, he let his body swing back towards the tree where the monkeys were trapped.

As he swung back, he yelled to his tribe, "When I swing towards you, jump onto my body. Then, when I swing back to the other tree, jump off to safety." One by one, every monkey jumped onto the great monkey's body as he swung back and forth, and then leaped off to safety when they reached the other side.

In the end, all the monkeys were saved, and they thanked their brave leader. The great monkey, although tired and hurting from the rough handling by his tribe, was overjoyed that he could save them.

The king, watching this spectacle from the riverside, was filled with admiration for the monkey king's bravery and intelligence. He ordered his men to stop cutting the tree, recognizing that the great monkey and his tribe deserved to live in peace. From that day on, the king declared the area a safe haven for all animals, ensuring their protection.

In the wild jungles near the towering Himalayas, where trees chat with the breeze and rivers dance to a lively beat, there was a tribe of very sophisticated monkeys. Their leader? A wise, kind, and brave monkey, who wore his wisdom like a crown and his kindness like a cozy sweater. He was the "Big Banana" of monkey business, and all his followers loved him to bits.

These monkeys called a beautiful, fruit-loaded tree home. It was a fruit party every day! The river next door, though, was as sneaky as a fox, hiding all sorts of dangers beneath its sparkling surface. But no worries! Our monkey friends were ace jumpers and climbers and avoided the water like a cat avoids a bath.

Then came along a human king, with his royal parade of hunters, horses, and pointy hats. They were tired, thirsty, and lost enough to make any GPS give up. When the king spotted the grand fruit party in the tree, he said, "Well, I fancy some of that! Let's have a royal fruit feast, lads!" But alas, the tree was tall, like, REALLY tall.

"Chop it down!" ordered the king, with the enthusiasm of a child in a candy store. Axes and saws sang their terrible song, and the great monkey, our 'Big Banana', knew it was time for some serious monkey action.

With moves that would make a gymnast jealous, the great monkey swung through the trees, gathering his tribe. He then made the biggest leap of his life, landing on a sturdy branch. But he didn't climb up. Oh no! He had a plan, as cunning as a detective's mustache.

Swinging back, he yelled, "Grab hold, you bunch of banana enthusiasts! It's jumping time!" The monkeys clung to their leader like stickers on a treasure chest, swinging back and forth, jumping to safety. It was like the greatest circus show, but without the clowns.

Finally, all the monkeys were safe, cheering and thanking their wise leader. The great monkey, a bit scruffy and scratched but with a smile as big as a watermelon, said, "Well, that's just another day in Monkeyville!"

The king, eyes wider than his royal tea saucers, stopped the tree massacre and said, "That monkey's got more brains than my entire court! Let's make this a place where every animal can dance in peace!"

And so, it was done. The area became a happy land for all animals, where you could hear laughter mixed with chirps, roars, and monkey chatters, all living in peace, love, and a whole lot of bananas.

Beside the towering Himalayan peaks,
Where rivers gleamed and forests had mystique,
A tribe of monkeys, lively and neat,
Lived high on a tree, their fruity treat.

Their leader, wise with eyes so kind,
Guided each monkey with a protective mind.
Below, dangerous waters did foam and churn,
Warning the monkeys, "Tread not, return."

Into this forest, a human king did come,
With royal followers, beating the drum.
His eyes spied the fruits, shining so fine,
"Oh! How I wish those treasures were mine!"

To cut the tree, his men did start,
But the monkey leader, with a brave heart,
Swung from branches, his plan so clear,
To save his tribe from looming fear.

With leaps and swings, strong and true,
To the other side, the leader flew.
"Hold onto me, fear not the height!"
Monkey by monkey, they reached the other site.

The king, touched by this brave act apart,
Ordered his men, "Let the tree stand, don’t tear it apart!"
For he realized, in those moments so small,
That the forest was home, for creatures one and all.

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Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the Great Monkey decided to save his tribe instead of just saving himself?
  2. How did the Great Monkey's actions change the king's mind about cutting the tree?
  3. Can you think of a time when you helped someone else, even though it was hard or tiring?
  4. What does this story teach us about leadership and caring for others?
  5. How can we use the lesson from this story in our lives to be brave and selfless, just like the Great Monkey?

Fable Quotes

Leadership is not about being in front, but about making sure no one is left behind.
Love swings courageously, bearing the weight of others, and leaps fearlessly to ensure their safety.
In the heart of the brave, courage is the rhythm that keeps the beat.
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