The Foolish Monkey
In an old banyan tree, lived a monkey named Banno, known more for mischief than sense.
One morning, he saw a traveler drop a gleaming sword while crossing the jungle.
Banno grabbed it and imagined himself a warrior, protector of the forest.
He threatened squirrels, poked parrots, and scared even the old jackal.
The animals warned him, “That’s not a toy, it’s trouble!”
But Banno only laughed and called them cowards.
He built a throne of dry leaves and declared himself the Jungle King.
He ordered the bees to serve him honey and the turtles to fan him.
Annoyed, the bees stung him, and the turtles vanished into the pond.
Angry, Banno swung the sword at a low branch, missing it entirely.
The blade bounced and cut his own foot.
Bleeding and limping, he cried for help, but no one came.
For days he starved, unable to climb or hunt.
At last, a wise old owl flew down and said,
“You ruled like a fool and now sit like a beggar.”
Banno threw away the sword into the river, never to touch iron again.
He returned to playing harmless pranks and eating fruits.
The animals forgave him, but they never forgot.
And whenever a young monkey got too proud, the elders would say:
“Remember Banno, the fool who thought steel made him wise.”
✨Moral: Wisdom cannot be picked up like a weapon—it must be earned with humility.