The Greedy Monkey

The Greedy Monkey (based on an Indian folk tale) Long ago, in India, a monkey was sitting in a tree, looking down over the jungle. A king and his servant stopped under that tree to rest their horses. The monkey sat watching the servant set out the peas for the horses. While the servant wasn't looking, the monkey rushed out of the tree and stole a handful of peas. Then, he began climbing back up the tree quickly. But one pea fell from the monkey's hand as he climbed. Without thinking, the monkey opened his hand, trying to catch the pea. Of course, as he did this, all the other peas fell out of his hand and dropped to the ground.

The monkey watched sadly as the horses feasted on the peas. He was hungry, but there was nothing he could do. His one chance to get the sweet peas was gone.