The Monkey and the Turtle: The Banana Thieves

Pampanga, Central Luzon

Story Note: There are many stories about Monkey and Turtle being friends and the former tricking the later. Monkey often fools Turtle and places them in a situation where Monkey has the advantage. But Turtle seems to know how to weasel his way out of Monkey’s tricks. In this story, Turtle finds himself in a dead end. Fortunately, Monkey’s selfishness sets Turtle free. 

Monkey and Turtle were exploring the new road near the river. A group of new settlers from the other side of the river arrived many months before. They cleared a path down by the river in this area. They planted bananas, sweet potatoes, cassava, and corn.

This meant food for the two friends! They needed to tread carefully for the new settlers were often unpredictable.

As they walked, Monkey’s eyes darted here and there, on the alert for both danger and for ripe bananas to pick. In no time, Monkey spotted a banana plant heavy with fruit. Unwilling to risk capture, he came up with a plan.

“That banana plant’s fruit look ripe enough,” he told Turtle.

“Yes, Monkey, you are right. The bananas are ready to pick. Do you think the settlers left some overripe bananas by the roadside?” Turtle asked his friend.

“Why depend on them when we can get some straight from the plants like we used to?” Monkey replied.

“But these are new settlers,” Turtle hesitated. “We do not know whether they are kind or mean!”

Monkey egged Turtle on. “There’s no harm in trying. Go get a stick and pull those ripe yellow bananas down!”

Turtle did as Monkey suggested. When he found a stick tall enough to use as panungkit , a hook, he went back. “This is something I cannot do, Monkey. It was your idea in the first place,” he said, handing the stick to Monkey.

“Then you should challenge yourself. We both know I can do it. You need to try and accomplish this feat. Hurry and get us both some ripe bananas,” Monkey coaxed.

Without another word, Turtle went to the nearest banana plant full of ripe fruits. He poked each banana until, one by one, they fell to the ground. Monkey ran near his friend to help him gather the bananas, but suddenly, two boys rushed out of the bushes. They chased after the banana thieves.

Immediately, agile Monkey climbed up a banana plant. Then, with one big leap, he swung to the top of a nearby guava tree. Turtle was left alone on the ground, scuttling to escape.

The two boys caught Turtle and bound his flippers. Afraid that the boys would hurt him, Turtle stayed still. One of the boys picked up a banana. He peeled the yellow fruit and, piece after piece, gently fed Turtle.

Monkey watched everything that was happening below. His heart swelled with envy. It was his idea in the first place to eat the banana fruit! Now, it was his friend who benefited from his idea. Monkey thought, it’s unfair!

After a few more pieces of banana, the two boys left Turtle. They ran back into the bushes they came from. This was Monkey’s chance! He jumped down from the tree and ran to his friend. He unbound him, carried him to the river, and left him wading in the water. Turtle did not know how to thank his friend. He called for Monkey to stay away from the banana trees. Turtle was afraid that something bad might happen to Monkey.

When the two boys returned, they were surprised to find a monkey on the spot where they left turtle. Monkey hoped that the boys would give him the same treatment they gave Turtle. But, much to his surprise, the two boys tied a rope around Monkey’s neck, picked up a stick, and beat him on the back. They carried him to the path by the river.

Turtle heard Monkey’s cries of pain from the distance.