The Clever Monkey

"The Clever Monkey" is a children's picture book that tells the story of Miko, a highly intelligent and mischievous monkey living in a lush jungle. The narrative explores themes of cleverness, greed, and the value of sharing through a simple fable.

Plot Summary

• Introduction: Miko is introduced as a witty monkey known for getting into and out of trouble. One sunny morning, he discovers a group of jungle animals (including deer, elephants, foxes, and rabbits) gathered around a massive mango tree laden with ripe fruit.
• The Problem: Miko desperately wants the mangoes, but the tree is too tall for him to reach the fruit at the top.
• The Proposal: Miko approaches the animals with a sly grin. He offers to climb the tree and throw down the mangoes if they agree to share them equally and save the last mango for him. The animals agree, believing it to be a fair deal.
• The Action: Miko expertly climbs the tree and tosses mangoes down to the ground. The animals delight in the feast, carefully saving the final mango for Miko as promised.
• The Twist: When the last mango falls, Miko catches it but does not eat it. Instead, he begins to juggle it and perform tricks, entertaining the crowd.
• The Resolution: After the performance, Miko announces that he has changed his mind. He gifts the last mango to the animals as a token of gratitude for being a wonderful audience.
• Conclusion: The animals are initially disappointed but come to appreciate Miko's cleverness and entertainment. They learn a lesson about greed and sharing, and from that day on, they live in harmony.

Moral of the Story

The story concludes with an explicit moral stated on Page 24:

"Cleverness is a valuable trait, but it's important to use it wisely and not to be greedy. Sharing and entertaining others can bring more happiness than simply keeping everything for oneself."