The Monkey and the Fish

A monkey sits in the rainforest trees, watching the mighty river flow past in great torrents. The rains visited in the night, and the river is roaring.

As monkey watches, he notices a fish trying to swim upstream, struggling against the strong current.

Being a kindhearted monkey, he decides to help the fish. At great risk to himself, he climbs onto the lowest branch above the river, hangs by his tail, and plucks the fish out of the water.

He places the fish on the dry ground beside the river. At first it wriggles in grateful excitement, then it goes still. Monkey decides the fish must be exhausted from its struggle in the river.

Monkey smiles to himself, a smile of glowing pride. He has done a good deed. He has helped someone other than himself.