The Gorilla Who Got Into Bad Company

Bad Company 

Picture by: Rakel Franco

Source: Flickr

Bananas were the biggest treasure to the kingdom. They provided food for all the seasons including the terrible thunderstorm that struck every year. Roger and Pete were the two most unliked monkeys in the jungle that had the most bananas piled up for just them two. Little did the jungle know, they stole all these bananas, along with kiwis, strawberries, oranges, and more from all the other trees when the entire jungle was asleep. However, they were famous for all the fruits they gathered.

There was a gorilla in the jungle that was about to be the new big dog in the kingdom. Everyone liked Gary. He looked scary, but had the kindest heart. Gary had a giant tree that made unlimited amounts of bananas. He shared his unlimited amount of food with all the other monkeys. Roger and Pete heard about Gary through a mutual friend, and decided to go visit Gary and check out this tree for themselves.

They reached Gary’s tree, and Gary kindly introduced himself, and gave Roger and Pete a banana. Roger and Pete had never eaten such a yummy banana. They were so surprised they asked for another one. Pete suggested Gary come join them for a feast during the weekend. Gary was super excited for this feast. He knew Roger and Pete were some of the most well known people in the entire jungle, but he didn’t know the reason why.

Gary showed up to the feast in his finest suit. He had a wonderful time since the whole kingdom came out for the feast. The two hosts were famous, and that is why most animals ignored the fact they were also thieves. Gary talked to everyone, and ate bananas, peaches, grapefruits, kiwis, grapes, strawberries, and oranges! He wondered where all this food came from. Roger and Pete told Gary that if he hung around them enough, he too would have the most delicious meals.

Gary, Roger, and Pete started to do everything together. They would climb trees, go on runs, and eat! One day, it was late and Gary decided to stay the night with Roger and Pete. Roger and Pete had other plans that Gary was unaware of. They told him they were going to go for a walk in the jungle at night, and Gary must join them because he had never seen the jungle when it's silent before. They packed their bags and started the journey.

Roger and Pete started their mischievous plans at Mr. Kelly’s tree - the king and the nicest monkey of the kingdom unless you're on his bad side. They took the bananas when Gary wasn’t looking and placed them in Gary’s bag like little mischievous kids. Gary kept on walking and talking, and didn’t even realize when either Roger or Pete would climb the trees and steal bananas from Mr. kelly's tree, and the others in the jungle. Gary started to notice his bag getting heavier eventually. He felt a little confused, and thought about what all he packed, and began to realize it wasn't much at all.

Mr. Kelly woke up and noticed some of his bananas were missing! He saw some animals on a walk, and decided to go after them! Roger looked back and saw that someone was after them! He signaled to Pete with his tail that someone was on to them! They continued to walk, but Mr. Kelly was one step ahead of them and climbed the biggest vine to where they were, and jumped down in front of them.

He took their bags and found all his bananas in Gary’s bag. Gary was confused and immediately told Mr. Kelly he didn’t take his bananas, but Mr. Kelly knew he was friends with Roger and Pete—the biggest thieves in the kingdom. Gary lost his tree and all his bananas because he was hanging out with the wrong people, and the king of the kingdom was not okay with such behavior. He had them take down Gary's tree. Gary learned a huge lesson that day - "the people you surround yourself with do matter."

Bibliography: Tibetan Folk Tales, "The Cony Who Got into Bad Company" by Albert Shelton

Author's Note:

“If you are without kindness, you will meet no kindness in return.” Tibetan Proverb. This was the moral behind this short story. The phrase caught my attention, and I interpreted it as if one is associated with someone without kindness, then he/she is also not kind. The end lesson in this story was that the people you surround yourself with really do matter more than people think. The cony also known as the rabbit in the story associating himself with the rats because he just wanted friends portrayed this concept. The rabbit eventually figures out the rats were not actually his friends, and the consequence for the rabbit of being with the wrong group was being judged just as guilty as the rats. The rats were known to be thieves, and just wanted to steal the rabbit's food after he gathered it all. I had monkeys and a gorilla in my story show the consequences of being friends with the wrong group of people. I also included bananas as the prize being stolen. I feel the original story does a very well job in making people think about the people they are around, and if they’re worth the consequences. I think this is a good lesson to teach at a young age because then people grow to choose friends, wisely. In other words, surround yourself with people that bring out the best in you. I hope my story makes you think about the people in your lives as you read about two deceiving monkeys and one kind gorilla.