Helen Bannerman - The Story of the Teasing Monkey

Once upon a time there was a very mischievous little monkey, who lived in a big banyan tree, and his name was Jacko.

And in the jungle below there lived a huge, fierce old lion and lioness.

Now Jacko was a very teasing monkey. He used to climb down the long trailing roots of the banyan tree, and pull the tails of all the other creatures, and then scamper up again, before they could catch him.

And he was so bold, he even pulled the tails of the lion and lioness one day.

This made them so angry that —

They went to a grim old bear they knew, and they arranged with him that he should come with them to the banyan tree, when Jacko was away.

So he came, and standing on the lion's head, he gnawed the roots through till they were so thin they would not bear a jerk.

And next time Jacko pulled the lion's tail he gave a great tug – the roots broke, and down fell Jacko, into the huge, fierce grim old lion's jaws!!

"Come here, my dear!" roared the lion.

The lioness came and looked at Jacko. "He is a very thin monkey," said she; "we had better put him in the larder for a week to fatten him, and then ask Mr. Bear to dinner."

So they put him in the larder, which was just a little piece at the end of their cave, built up with big stones, and while the lion built it up, the lioness lay ready to spring on him if he tried to escape. It was very dark and very cold, and Jacko did not like it at all.

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