Secrets and Parables

[bcholmes]

I was reading this story today. I think it's full of secrets and parables. It's also cute. But has touches of religiousity, too.

The Monkey who asked for Misery

Monkey was sitting in a tree when a woman walked by on her way to market. Just as she passed, she tripped and the calabash on her head fell of and broke. The sweet sugar-cane syrup in the calabash ran all over the ground.

"Good Lord, what Misery you have given me," she cried. "For three days I have been walking to market to sell this syrup and now I've lost it. Good Lord, Papa God, why did you give me such Misery?" But there was nothing to be done, so the woman continued on her way.

Monkey came down from the tree. What was this Misery Papa God had given the woman? He sniffed it. Hmmm. It smelled good. He put one finger in and licked it. Hmm. He put in another finger. He put in his hand. And then one foot. And soon he was licking it up from the ground. Th Th Th Th Th... Thh. Then it was gone. But Monkey wanted more. He had not known Misery was so sweet. He decided to visit Papa God. He raced at top speed and found Papa God.

"Good morning, Papa God," said Monkey.

"Hello, Brother Monkey," said Papa God.

"I've come to see you, Papa God."

"Yes, Brother Monkey."

"Papa God -- I want Misery."

"In the awful condition you're in, you want Misery?"

"Oh yes, Papa God. I need lots and lots and lots of Misery."

"Brother Monkey --"

"Papa God, I've already tasted Misery. I know how sweet it is."

"Well then, go over there. Do you see the three sacks? Take that one. No, not that one -- that one. Yes. Put it on your back and walk until you come to a place where there are no trees. Then open it up. But remember, if you truly want lots of Misery, there must not be any trees in the place where you open it."

Monkey took the sack. He put it on his back. He thanked Papa God and left. He walked and walked and walked and walked and walked. He walked and walked and at last, he came to a place where there was not one tree to be seen. Monkey set the sack down. He looked in every direction. There was not one tree. He rubbed his stomach. He couldn't wait. He loosened the string of the sack and opened it up.

Rrrrr. Rrrrr. Rrrrrrr. Five huge dogs jumped out of the sack and began to chase Monkey. Monkey ran. The dogs followed close behind him. When Monkey had no breath left, a tree appeared. One tree. Monkey climbed that tree and the dogs barked and scratched, but they could not reach Monkey.

Papa God had sent the tree. Papa God sent the tree especially to Monkey.

Too much Misery at one time is not a good thing -- even for Monkey.

— from The Magic Orange Tree and Other Haitian Folktales, collected by Diane Wolkenstein