LESSON 8
THE MONKEY

1. The monkey is a very cunning little animal, and is found in many parts of the world.

2. A lady once had a monkey, which had been brought to her as a present. This monkey, like all others, was very fond of mischief and of doing whatever he saw others do.

3. His mistress found him one day sitting on her toilet table1, holding in one hand a little china mug with water in it, and in the other her toothbrush, with which he was cleaning his teeth, looking all the time in the glass.

4. Her little daughter, Maria, had a large doll with a very handsome head and face. She one day left this doll in the cradle, and went out of the room. The monkey came in, took the doll in his arms, and jumping upon the washstand, he began to wash its face.

5. He first rubbed it all over with soap. Then seizing the towel, he dipped it in the washbowl, and rubbed it so hard that the doll's face was entirely spoiled, the paint being all washed off.

6. There have been many tales of monkeys who, armed with sticks, have joined together and made war or resisted their enemies with great effect. These are not true, as it is known that in their native state monkeys have no idea of weapons.

7. The sticks and other missiles said to be thrown at travelers as they pass under the branches of trees, are usually the dead branches, etc.2, accidentally broken off, as the monkeys, with the natural curiosity of their tribe, pass along the tops of trees to watch the actions of the people below.

8. They can, however, be taught to use a stick, and to use it well. Some time ago, two Italians together owned an organ3 and a monkey, by means of which they earned their living. During one of their exhibitions, a dog flew at the little monkey, which made its owners very angry.

9. They and the owner of the dog quarreled about it, and at last it was agreed that the dog and the monkey should fight it out; the monkey, because he was smaller, was to be allowed a stick.

10. The monkey was taught what he was to do in the following manner:One of the Italians crawled on his hands and knees, barking like a dog, while the other got on his back, grasped his hair, and beat him about the head with a stick.

11. The monkey looked on with great gravity, and, when the instruction was over, received the stick with the air of a man who knew his work and meant to do it.

12. Everything being settled the dog flew at the monkey with open mouth. The monkey immediately leaped on his back, and, grasping the dog's ear, beat away at his head with such good will that his adversary speedily gave in. The monkey, however, was not content with a mere victory, but continued pounding at the dog's head until he left him senseless on the ground.

STUDY GUIDE

A. Word Definition

cunning:tricky,clever.

mischief:playful acts that cause small problems.

cradle:a baby's bed.

washstand:a table beside a sink.

seizing:grabbing.

spoiled:ruined.

armed:holding as a weapon.

resisted:defended against.

idea:knowledge.

missiles:weapons which are thrown.

tribe:family group.

exhibitions:performances.

flew:jumped.

quarreled:argued.

manner:way.

grasped:held in his hand.

gravity:seriousness.

instruction:lesson.

air:attitude.

settled:arranged.

good will:dedication.

adversary:opponent.

gave in:accepted defeat.

content:satisfied.

mere:simple.

pounding:beating.

senseless:appearing dead.

B. Study Notes

1. A low table with a mirror, where one sits while dressing or to put on make-up. More commonly called a “dressing table.”

2. Etc. or et cetera is a Latin expression meaning, “a number of unspecified things” (literally, “and the rest.”) It is often used after giving a partial list of items to show there are other items which have not been mentioned.

3. A keyboard instrument which usually uses moving air to create sound.

C. Discussion Questions

1. Where did the lady find the monkey one day?

2. What did the monkey wash in the sink?

3. Do monkeys naturally know how to use sticks as weapons?

4. How did the monkey know how to use the stick?

D. Answers—Create a question for each of the answers.

1. The two owners of the monkey came from Italy.

2. The monkey was allowed to use a stick because he was smaller than the dog.

3. The monkey jumped on the dog's back and beat it on the head.