CROSSROADS

Monkey Matters

The author overheard the conversation at the sheriff’s office during the crucial hours when the monkey thief was lost and found

Sheriff: “Could have the monkeys he stole freed the monkey thief?”

Aide: “But the monkeys are all caged ready to go back to zoo as far as I know Sir”.

Sheriff: “Are you sure they are going to put up there?”

Aide: “You mean….”

Sheriff: “Think about it …that zoo is worse than our jails...”

Aide: “You bet”

Sheriff: “Yeah…I even heard the meat meant for the tigers and lions are used to make curry for the keeper”

Aide: “No wonder the poor things have become so thin…But sir…how do we get back to the trail of the monkey thief?”

Sheriff: “Elementary, Son.”

Aide: “Oh?”

Sheriff: “See…that monkey thief and the monkeys must be having something in common. Or else why would those monkeys give in to him?”

Aide: “Oh…Like?”

Sheriff: “See monkeys never forget their roots….Me sure this monkey thief will be go back to the place where we nabbed him.”

(At this moment, news breaks in that the monkey thief has been re-caught)

Aide: “Sir…you were so very right…..”

Sheriff (blushing): “Count on experience son….we also count”

Aide: “Sir, people are asking why the thief was in an AC coach”

Sheriff: “What is the problem with these people…you treat someone well there is a problem…you treat him bad…they say its 3rd degree …”

Aide: “Right Sir!”

Sheriff: “Think about it…this poor man has been traveling in crowded trains all his animal life….sometimes standing all night with monkeys breathing hard behind him. All we wanted to do was to give the poor chap a little joy ride”

Aide: “I know Sir…this place is so mean…they doubt every good intention.”

Sheriff: “No problem dear…we must stand up and count…err… I mean get counted.”

Offline - Greater Impacts (September 2009)