2 . The Monkey King and the Living Bridge

A very long time ago, on the bank of a great river, lay a lush forest where a large community of monkeys lived. Their leader was a wise and courageous great monkey. He had not become king by force but by his benevolence. Every day, he watched over his people. He knew the fruit trees, the dangers of the forest, and the periods of drought. The monkeys lived in peace. In the center of their territory grew a magnificent mango tree whose fruits were the most delicious in the entire region. The monkey king had given a warning: — No fruit must fall into the river. For he knew that one day men might discover the tree and covet its fruits. For a long time, everything went well. But one morning, a forgotten fruit was carried away by the current. It floated down the river to the kingdom of a powerful human king. The king tasted this extraordinary fruit. Never had he eaten anything so delicious. He immediately ordered: — Find me the tree that produces these wonders. The hunters went up the river. They finally discovered the mango tree. And the hundreds of monkeys living there. The human king arrived with his archers. The monkeys panicked. They had no way to escape. On one side, the men. On the other, the river. The monkey king calmly observed the situation. Then he spotted a tree on the opposite bank. An idea immediately came to his mind. He climbed to the top of the mango tree. Grabbed a long liana. Tied it to his waist. And with a mighty leap, he jumped over the void. He almost reached the other bank. His body then formed a living bridge between the two trees. — Cross! he cried. — Quickly! One by one, all the monkeys passed over his back. Dozens. Then hundreds. For long minutes, he bore their weight. His body was bruised. His strength was diminishing. But he held on. The last monkey finally arrived. The tribe was saved. The human king had observed the entire scene. Deeply moved, he ordered his archers to lower their weapons. He then understood what a true sovereign was. Not one who rules by fear. But one who puts himself at the service of those he guides. The monkey king died shortly after from his wounds. But his example transformed the heart of the human king. And long after his disappearance, his story was still told as that of a being whose compassion had exceeded the limits of his own life.