The Cunning Monkey

The Cunning Monkey

Deep in the heart of a vast, vibrant jungle, where sunlight filtered through thick canopies and the air buzzed with the songs of birds, there lived a monkey named Miko. Unlike the other monkeys who spent their days swinging from branches and playing together, Miko was different. He was clever—too clever. His sharp mind often led him to mischief, and while some animals admired his intelligence, many others distrusted him.

Miko believed he could outsmart anyone, and he took great pride in tricking others for his own gain. He would steal fruits from hardworking squirrels, deceive rabbits into giving up their food, and even play pranks on the elder animals. The jungle creatures often warned him, "One day, your cunning ways will lead to trouble, Miko!" But the monkey only laughed and continued his mischief.

The Tempting Mango

One hot afternoon, as Miko lounged on a tree branch, he spotted old Torto the turtle slowly trudging along the forest path. On Torto’s back was the most enormous, golden-yellow mango Miko had ever seen. His mouth watered at the sight.

"If only I could have that mango for myself," Miko thought greedily.

Now, Torto was known for his kindness and patience, but he was also wise. Miko knew he couldn’t simply snatch the mango—Torto would never let him. So, he decided to use his wit instead of force.

Leaping down from the tree, Miko approached Torto with a wide, friendly grin.

"Ah, dear friend Torto!" Miko exclaimed. "What a magnificent mango you have there! Wherever did you find such a treasure?"

Torto smiled warmly. "I found it beneath the great mango tree near the river. It took me all morning to carry it this far."

Miko’s eyes gleamed. "It looks delicious! You know, I heard the jungle council just declared a new rule—any fruit found must be shared with the first animal who asks!"

Torto raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Is that so? I haven’t heard of any such rule."

"Oh yes!" Miko insisted. "In fact, refusing to share is punishable by… uh… losing all your food for a week!"

Torto, though doubtful, was too gentle to argue. "Well, if that’s the rule, I suppose I must share. How shall we divide it?"

Miko pretended to think. "Since I’m the one who reminded you of the rule, I should get three-quarters. You can have the rest."

Torto frowned. "That doesn’t seem fair."

Miko scratched his head. "Hmm… then let’s have a race! Whoever reaches the ancient banyan tree first wins the whole mango!"

Torto knew he was slow, but he also knew Miko’s tricks. He sighed. "Very well. A race it is."

The Race Begins

Miko grinned confidently. "There’s no way a slow old turtle can beat me!"

As soon as the race started, Miko dashed ahead, leaving Torto far behind. But after running a short distance, Miko stopped and looked back. Torto was barely halfway there, moving at his usual steady pace.

"Why waste my energy running the whole way?" Miko thought smugly. "I’ll just rest here and still win!"

So, he sprawled beneath a shady tree, chuckling to himself. The sun was warm, the breeze was gentle, and soon, Miko’s eyelids grew heavy. Before he knew it, he had dozed off.

Meanwhile, Torto kept moving—slowly, steadily, without stopping.

The Unexpected Outcome

When Miko finally woke up, the sun was lower in the sky. He gasped and jumped up.

"Oh no! The race!"

He sprinted toward the banyan tree, his heart pounding. But as he neared the finish line, his stomach sank. There, sitting calmly beneath the tree, was Torto—mango in hand.

Miko skidded to a halt, panting. "H-How?!"

Torto smiled. "You were so confident in your speed that you forgot one important thing, Miko: consistency beats overconfidence. While you slept, I kept moving, one step at a time."

Miko’s face burned with shame. He had been outsmarted by his own laziness and arrogance.

A Change of Heart

For the first time, Miko realized how his cunning had only brought him temporary gains—and at the cost of others’ trust. He lowered his head.

"You’re right, Torto. I’ve been selfish and dishonest. I don’t deserve this mango… or anyone’s friendship."

Torto’s expression softened. He broke the mango in half and handed a piece to Miko. "Everyone makes mistakes, Miko. What matters is what you learn from them."

Miko took the fruit, humbled. From that day on, he vowed to use his cleverness for good—helping others instead of deceiving them. He returned stolen fruits, apologized to those he had tricked, and even became the jungle’s problem-solver, using his sharp mind to mediate disputes.

The animals, surprised but pleased by his change, welcomed him as a true friend. And Miko learned that true wisdom lies not in outsmarting others, but in using one’s intelligence for kindness and fairness.

Moral of the Story

Cleverness without kindness leads to loneliness. Honesty and perseverance will always triumph over deceit and laziness.