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THE BUFFALO AND THE MONKEY ~ PATIENCEA Jataka Tale

Adapted by Carole L. Cooney

Setting: A large forest

Characters:Narrator

Huey, a water buffalo

Tickle, a mischievous monkey

Sly, a forest sprite

Narrator: Once upon a time, the sun shone brightly through the leafy forest trees ,

making the morning extremely hot. For many days, the watering holes wereevaporating. This was very dangerous for the water buffalo is dependent on

water.

Huey: (Breathing heavily) I am having a very hard time walking over these hot

rocks. When will a cool breeze blow so that I can gain my strength and find a

watering hole? I must find water or Ill not live.

Tickle: Whats the matter, Huey? You dont look so good.

Huey: (looking up into the trees) Where are you, Tickle? I cant see you.

Tickle: Hee, hee, hee! Im at the very top of this huge fir tree where the breeze is

blowing. Ahhh does that feel good! Hey, why dont you come on up,

Huey? Itll do you a world of good.

Huey: (snorting) Bah! You little monkey! You know I cant climb up into the

trees! Where are your brains?

Tickle: Awww! I just thought Id try to cheer you up. I guess I missed. Hee, hee, hee.

Huey: You sure did! You missed by a mile! (lets out a big sigh)

Narrator: Huey continued slowly walking as Tickle swung from tree top to tree top.

Huey: Since youre up so high, can you see any watering holes? Im so thirsty Ithink Im going to faint.

Tickle: Now that you mention it, yes! I can see water about 44 miles from here.

Huey: Are you kidding me? Come on, Tickle, be serious.

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Tickle: Okay! I think I made a mistake. Its really about 144 miles away. Hee, hee,

hee.

Narrator: Huey was beginning to get impatient with Tickle. He wanted cool water and

Tickle was no help at all. In fact, his teasing was making things worse.

Suddenly, Sly, the tricky forest sprite, whispered into Hueys ear.

Sly: Pssst! Huey! Just call him down from the tree tops to show him a a

well, a special rock. You know how curious he is. Then you can frightenTickle with one snort and roar!

Huey: (sigh) No, Sly, that idea will upset my heart. If I give into my impatience, I

might hurt Tickle. I know hes only teasing me and I must be patient. Whoknows, maybe hes teasing me because he doesnt know how to make friends.

Narrator: Tickle stopped swinging in the branches. He stood still and listened to what

Huey was saying Slowly, the little monkey slid down the tree and shylywalked toward Huey.

Huey: (bending his head down) Ahh little Tickle, it is good to see you. Why have

you come down from the tree tops?

Tickle: I wanted to tell you Im sorry for teasing you, Huey. And I want to tell youthat there is a huge watering hole very close by. But most of all, I want to

thank you for thinking of me as a friend even after what I did to you.

Narrator: Tickle, the monkey, hopped onto Hueys shoulders while Sly, the sprite

perched on the buffalos head. Together they went to the watering holewhere they played all day. They were now the best of friends

Patience brings friends closer.