In the ancient jungles of Africa, lived two families of monkeys.  With the changing times, one from each family was chosen to go out and seek a better future.  One worked smart and the other worked hard.  The reward of their skills to acquire wealth would finally benefit their families.

 

The hardworking monkey travelled east.  He found a master who was a farmer.  The farmer had a plantation of coconut trees.  The farmer trained him to climb the trees and harvest the ripe, good coconuts.  He woke up early each morning and worked hard in the sun to harvest the trees.  The farmer was very happy with him.  One day the farmer asked him of his old age retirement.  The hardworking monkey replied modestly and asked if the farmer could plant him a fig tree in the nearby jungle where he lived. He deserved a reward and the farmer honoured his request by planting a few fig and berry trees for different seasons.  Years went by and the hardworking monkey taught his skill of harvesting coconut trees to others.  Seasons went by and the farmer assisted the growing up of the fruit trees.  Old age was not productive so the farmer released the hardworking monkey of his duties.  The farmer’s gift of the fruit trees was an assurance of enough food for his old age and his family.

 

The smart working monkey went westward and worked in a circus as an entertainer.  He did monkey tricks, made people laugh and entertained small children.  His most popular trick of jumping from one pole to another made him a star.  His master was very happy, as he brought in the much-required money.  One day a rich, young girl was passing by and saw the smart monkey.  She was lonely and heartbroken.  Her father bought the smart monkey as a pet for his daughter.  The rich girl now had a friend and she liked his company.  As years went by, it was time for the rich girl to get married.  The smart monkey was getting old so the rich girl asked him of his future.  The smart monkey always admired the beautiful diamond ring the girl wore.  So he asked for the ring as a reward.  The day the girl got married the smart monkey also got a warm send-off.  With the pride of his life, the diamond ring  he set off home to see his family.

 

Both monkeys had something to share with their families.  A warm welcome awaited them.  The smart monkey had this ring which money could not buy.  He boasted about his smartness.  He told his family how smart he thought and with little work what he had earned.  All got together and admired his ring.  Seeing a priceless ring his family congratulated him on his achievement.  The hardworking monkey, with great wisdom talked of his hard work and the rewards.  His family gathered eagerly to see the fruit trees.  It was that time of the year when there was plenty of new fruits in the trees.  On reaching the trees, the hardworking monkey’s family immediately took possession of them and started to enjoy the fruits.  The trees were their hope They would have enough food for the future, if his family protected and cared for the trees.

 

Time went by and the rich and smart monkey could not stop boasting about how wealthy he was.  The smart monkey gave the priceless ring to his dearest son.  Like his father, he too wore the ring, showing all the tricks to his family that his father had taught him.  Food was required for their families, so no one seemed to be entertained.  Seeking food, his family moved to other areas.  In the end, the smart monkey’s son jumped from one tree to another in frustration and loneliness.  That’s all his father had taught him.  Doing so, he lost the priceless ring.  The sad little boy had no food to eat, no family to care for.  He lived sadly, as he lost the wealth he never earned.  The hardworking monkey lived happily and left the fig trees for his sons.  They had food for generations to come.  They worked hard and protected their priceless possession- the fruit trees, from many other hungry ones.  The fig trees made them famous in the African Jungle.

 

What would you like to be:  A hard working person or a smart person?

 What would you like to give your children: A priceless ring or a fig tree?