The Cunning Monkey and the Greedy Hyena

A Friendship of Convenience

The jungle was alive with sound—chirping birds, rustling leaves, and the distant roar of a river winding through the thick undergrowth. High up in the branches of a great baobab tree, Monkey sat lazily, peeling a ripe banana, the golden fruit gleaming in the afternoon sun.

Below him, Hyena prowled the jungle floor, his stomach rumbling like thunder. He had spent the morning searching for scraps, but nothing had satisfied his hunger. When he caught sight of Monkey enjoying his meal, his mouth watered.

“Friend Monkey!” Hyena called up, licking his lips. “You always have the best food. Tell me, how do you do it?”

Monkey, ever the trickster, smirked as he took another slow, deliberate bite. “Ah, Hyena, it’s all about being smart,” he said. “The humans have more food than they can eat, and if you know how to be quick and silent, you can take as much as you want.”

Hyena’s ears perked up. “Teach me, Monkey! I want to steal food just like you.”

Monkey raised an eyebrow. He knew Hyena well enough to understand that he wasn’t asking to learn—he was asking for a shortcut to easy food. But Monkey also saw an opportunity.

“I will teach you,” Monkey said, “but only if you promise to share whatever we steal.”

Hyena nodded eagerly, though deep inside, he had no intention of sharing.

The First Heist

That night, under the cover of darkness, Monkey led Hyena toward the human village. The air smelled of roasted cassava, maize, and smoked fish, making Hyena’s stomach growl even louder.

Monkey held up a hand. “Shh! You must be quiet,” he whispered. “Follow my lead.”

With the agility of a shadow, Monkey leapt onto the roof of a hut, slipped down the other side, and snatched a bunch of bananas from a basket without a single sound. Within moments, he was back beside Hyena, grinning.

Hyena’s eyes widened in admiration. “That was amazing! But I don’t want just bananas—I want real food. Show me where the meat is kept.”

Monkey hesitated. He knew Hyena’s greed would get them into trouble, but he was also curious to see how foolish his friend could be. “Alright,” he sighed. “But you must be careful.”

He led Hyena to a small hut where the villagers stored their food. The smell of dried fish and fresh stew filled the air. Monkey expertly lifted the wooden latch and nudged the door open just enough for Hyena to slip inside.

Hyena’s eyes gleamed. Inside, hanging from the ceiling, were large slabs of dried meat. Bowls of steaming porridge sat on a table. His hunger took control. Forgetting Monkey’s warnings, he lunged at the food, tearing into the meat and slurping the porridge loudly.

Then—CRASH!

His clumsy tail knocked over a pot. The noise echoed through the quiet village.

Monkey’s eyes widened in alarm. “RUN!” he shrieked, grabbing a handful of bananas and scurrying up the nearest tree.

But Hyena, his belly too full and his mind too slow, fumbled as he tried to escape. Within seconds, the villagers burst into the hut, shouting and waving sticks.

Hyena barely made it out, dodging a hail of stones as he fled into the night. Behind him, Monkey cackled from the treetops.

“I warned you, Hyena! A thief must be quick and smart. But you? You are just greedy!”

The Ultimate Trick

Days passed, and though Hyena’s bruises ached, his hunger burned hotter. He could not stop thinking about the food Monkey had access to. But instead of being grateful for Monkey’s help, he became resentful.

“That little trickster is keeping the best food for himself,” Hyena muttered. “I’ll make him steal for me, and this time, I’ll eat everything myself.”

He went to Monkey, wearing a pitiful expression. “Dear friend, I have learned my lesson,” he lied. “I was foolish and greedy. Please, let us steal together once more.”

Monkey tilted his head, pretending to believe him. “Alright, Hyena. But this time, we must be careful.”

That evening, Monkey led Hyena back to the village. This time, he took him to the biggest food hut of all. The smell of roasting meat filled the air, and Hyena could barely contain his excitement.

“This is it,” Monkey whispered. “The best food in the village is inside. Go in first—I will watch the door.”

Hyena didn’t hesitate. He slipped inside, his mouth watering at the sight of bowls of stew, roasted maize, and heaps of dried fish. Greed consumed him. He devoured the food without pause, stuffing his mouth, licking his paws.

He didn’t notice that Monkey had quietly stepped back and latched the door shut behind him.

Moments later, the villagers, alerted by Monkey’s secret whistles, surrounded the hut.

Hyena froze. Then he heard footsteps. Then angry voices. Then the unmistakable sound of a lock clicking into place.

“MONKEY! HELP ME!” Hyena wailed.

But Monkey was already up in a tree, watching with amusement. “A wise thief knows when to stop,” he called down. “But a greedy one always gets caught.”

The villagers captured Hyena and tied him up, deciding to let him go the next morning as a warning. When they finally released him, he ran deep into the jungle, humiliated and furious.

The Lesson of the Forest

From that day forward, Hyena was never the same. The other animals laughed at him, calling him *the greedy fool who was outwitted by a monkey.*

As for Monkey, he continued his tricks, always staying one step ahead of everyone. But he never forgot the lesson he had learned from Hyena’s foolishness.

One evening, as he sat high in the trees watching the sun sink behind the jungle, he grinned to himself.

“Cleverness,” he mused, “will always defeat greed.”

And so, the cunning Monkey remained the king of tricksters, while the greedy Hyena was left to wander the jungle, forever a reminder that greed only leads to ruin.

The End.