The Lost Monkey

Something was troubling (children's version), tormenting (adult version) Jeni. It was the nightmares she had for a full month. And the shadows she could only see on the walls. Jeni had her mom Karole, who said a prayer for her and told her to go back to bed.

It was time to call her cousin Jazmin. Jazmin lived on the Big Island of Hawaii. Jeni who lived in Kailua on Oahu knew Jazmin was smart. So smart that she had lived by herself since age 16 because she had the court paper to do so.

So Jeni called Jazmin up on her cell phone and told her about it all. For in her dreams she was in a jungle. Tired, alone and frightened she ran and ran. Strange men were hunting her, and she always woke up screaming.

Night terrors, her father Alroy Potcheko called them. That was the bad dreams she had. This Alroy considered normal. But not for Jeni.

That very day that Jeni called Jazmin something unusual happened to Jazmin. She was driving the roads of Hilo when suddenly something darted out from her jeep. "What the hell (children's verison)! " "What the f-word(adult version.)!" Jazmin yelled. A small animal appeared.

Jazmin swerved and the jeep almost flipped. Instead it landed with a thud and Jazmin was safe. Just then a monkey appeared on top the roof of the car. Then disappeared into thin air.

Now this was normal for Jazmin. For she and Jeni belonged to a magical family. Except these families that were magical were Christians and not witches. There's a difference people.

For they were Mormon's who believed in Jesus, the Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit. But not all Mormons are magical. Seems that way though doesn't it? Back to the story...

Jeni first entered her magical world in sixth grade. Her brother Brein entered it in sixth grade too but he was a year younger. Now Jeni was advanced for her age, she skipped two grades she was so smart. And Brein was secretly a genius but one could hardly tell because he was so kolohe (rascal).

Okay, back to Jazmin, Jazmin a little shaken receives Jeni's call. She immediately checks the big, golden book on her dresser. It was about magical things and in it listed a magical monkey. Magic by prayer that is.

Jazmin puts the clues together of what was happening to Jeni was also affecting the magical monkey. And that it was asking for both of their help from what bothered the monkey. The monkey's name was Akiya. And it could grant wishes to anyone who owned it.

Somehow men found out about this monkey and decided to capture Akiya. They were bad men (child's version) evil men (adult version) and did terrible things (child version) things like cut people in half (adult version).So Jeni and Jazmin were in real danger. Jazmin sensed this and invited Jeni to stay at her house for safe keeping.

So Jeni flew to Hilo to stay at Jazmin's house. She stayed there two weeks when she saw the monkey appear near her house. Suddenly, men approached the monkey Akiya. How they got there must have been by magical powers.

Lucky for Jeni, Jazmin was prepared. Jazmin pulled out a small bottle from her Levi jeans pocket and ran outside. She told Jeni to stand behind her. From there she harnessed the power of God. (This was scary stuff people.)

The men fired shots at the girls. But Jazmin said a protection prayer. The monkey Akiya ran up to Jeni and grabbed her. From the opened bottle one thing happened to the bad men (children's version) evil men (adult version).

(children's version) A great wind picked up the men and moved the men to the bottom of the ocean where they drowned.

(adult version) A great wind picked up the men and unmade them. Not burned them, not melted them but unmade them. Pieces of color were stripped from their bodies. They died and disappeared in agony.

So saying a thanksgiving prayer to God, Jazmin capped the bottle. She brought Jeni and Akiya inside the house. It was then decided that the magical monkey Akiya would be kept safe at Kealu's house. But it was in Ocean View.

Kealu had lived in the mountains where it also had a forest. No one was allowed on his land without his permission. Jeni knew Kealu because he would protect Brein at times that he went to private school. But Brein was older now and so was Jeni.

Jazmin drove the monkey with Jeni to Kealu's house. It took a long time. Finally it was time to say goodbye to Akiya. Jeni was sad but glad.

Glad, Jeni no longer had nightmares. She no longer saw shadows on the walls. Deep down she had known that Akiya's new home would be the best thing for the monkey. And the monkey Akiya was happy too.

So Jeni flew back home to Kailua. Her mother Karole was relieved that Jeni was fine. And the next day Brein emptied out a can of shaving cream in her bag. Just like old times.

And no one made any wishes on Akiya too!