The Heart of a Monkey

The Heart of a Monkey

There was once a friendly monkey who lived by the sea. Her home was a great mkuyu (muh-KOO-yoo) tree. She liked to share its kuyu (KOO-yoo) fruit with the people from a nearby village.

One day, the monkey picked the last bit of fruit that hung over the land. To get more, she climbed onto a branch that hung over the sea. " Hey you, monkey! " called a voice from the water. " Toss me some of that kuyu fruit, " the voice said.

It was a shark swimming in the sea. The monkey dropped a fruit into his open mouth. " Delicious, " the shark said. " I would thank you with a gift, but my home is far away, " he added.

The shark told the monkey all about his home across the water. It contained many treasures. He offered to take her there.

" Just hop on my back, " he said. The monkey leaped down.