Once there lived a monkey man in Japan who earned his living by taking round a monkey and showing off the animal’s tricks. When his monkey became old, he began forgetting his tricks. Not even his master’s harsh beating could make him dance and perform properly. The man decided to sell him to a butcher. When the monkey came to know about this, he went to the wise wild boar in the forest and told him his tale of woe. They both made a plan and the monkey went home happy and excited.
Next morning, the master’s wife began her household work and placed her child near the porch. Suddenly, the boar took her child in its clutch and disappeared through the gate. The monkey ran after the thief as hard as his legs would carry him. The couple’s gratitude knew no bounds when the faithful monkey brought the child safely back to their arms. The man gave up his thought of selling the monkey to the butcher. The monkey was patted and lived the rest of his days in peace. His master never beat him again even though he did not perform his tricks well.
