The Monkey and the Chicken: A Southeast Sulawesi Folktale for Kids

Chapter 1: An Unfair Friendship

Once upon a time, deep in the lush green forests of Southeast Sulawesi, a mischievous monkey and a kind-hearted chicken lived as neighbors. Though they were called friends, the monkey was far from friendly. He was selfish, greedy, and loved nothing more than playing mean tricks on the poor, innocent bird.

One sunny afternoon, the monkey swung down from a high branch, scratching his chin with a cheeky grin.

Monkey: "Hey there, Little Chicken! How about we take a nice, relaxing stroll through the forest together? It’ll clear our minds and stretch our legs!"

Chicken: "Very well, Monkey. An afternoon walk sounds lovely. It is always nice to enjoy the fresh air with a friend."

So, side by side, they set off down the winding forest path. But as the golden sun began to dip below the horizon and long shadows stretched across the ground, the monkey’s stomach began to rumble loudly.

Monkey: "Grumble... Roar... Oh, I am so hungry!"

Suddenly, his mischievous mind began to scheme a cruel idea. Without any warning, the monkey leaped onto the chicken, pouncing on her back and ruthlessly pulling out her soft feathers!

Chicken: "Ouch! Hey! What on earth are you doing, Monkey? Stop it at once! I am your friend! Why are you always picking on me? Let me go! Release me!"

Monkey: "Hahaha! Be quiet, Chicken! Your feathers are in my way, and I need something to satisfy my boredom and hunger!"

The monkey only laughed harder, tightening his grip as he kept plucking her feathers. With a desperate flap of her wings and a sudden burst of strength, the chicken managed to slip free from his grasp. Frightened, bruised, and heartbroken, she ran as fast as her legs could carry her, not caring where she went—just as long as she was far away from the wicked monkey.

Chapter 2: The Secret Plan at the Riverbank

Gasping for air, the chicken finally collapsed on the cool, sandy banks of a nearby river. There, sitting upon a smooth grey rock, was her dear friend, the wise old crab.

Crab: "My goodness, Little Chicken! You’re trembling and missing so many of your feathers! What on earth happened to you?"

Chicken: "Oh, Crab... It was the monkey again! He pounced on me and tried to pluck all my feathers out! I don't know what got into him... I think he was so hungry he wanted to eat me alive! And after all the times I’ve been kind to him!"

The crab’s eyes flared with sudden anger. His sharp claws snapped loudly in deep indignation.

Crab: "That insolent, greedy brute! It is one thing to be playful, but another to physically harm a loyal friend. Enough is enough! We must teach that monkey a lesson he will never forget so he never dares to bully anyone in this forest again!"

Chicken: "How can we possibly repay his bad behavior, Crab? We are small, and he is fast and strong. Do you have a plan?"

Crab: "I have a brilliant idea. We shall invite the greedy fellow on a scenic river cruise using a very special boat made of soft river clay! Here is what we'll do: I will craft the boat out of sticky clay, while you go back and convince the monkey to join us. Once we reach the very middle of the deep, rushing river, I will call out a secret code word: 'HOLE!' The moment you hear it, peck through the soft clay bottom as hard as you can!"

Chicken: "A clay boat! That is absolute genius! I will go persuade him right away."

Chapter 3: The Trap is Set

While the clever crab set to work shaping the sticky river clay into a small canoe, the chicken hurried back into the forest. She found the monkey resting on a low tree branch, still looking grumpy and hungry.

Chicken: "Hello again, Monkey! Look, you may have been mean to me earlier, but a good friend doesn't hold grudges forever. The crab and I are about to embark on an exciting little adventure across the river. Would you like to come along?"

Monkey: "Across the river? Bah! Why would I waste my time going over there? What’s over there anyway?"

Chicken: "Oh, you wouldn't believe it! The trees on the other side are overflowing with the sweetest, juiciest, most delicious fruits you have ever seen! You can eat as much as your belly can hold without sharing with anyone!"

Monkey: "Fresh, sweet fruit?! Unlimited food all for myself?! Well, why didn't you say so sooner, Chicken? Count me in! Lead the way!"

Without suspecting a single thing, the greedy monkey trotted excitedly behind the chicken down to the riverbank. Waiting by the water’s edge was the crab, standing proudly beside his freshly molded clay boat.

Crab: "Welcome aboard, my furry friend! Step right in, and let us set sail for the feast on the other side!"

Monkey: "Finally! Let's hurry up before someone else eats all my fruit!"

Chapter 4: Justice Served

The three animals climbed inside the small clay boat and pushed off from the muddy shore. The gentle current carried them toward the middle of the river, where the waters grew much deeper and ran rapidly.

The monkey was busy looking at the distant trees, drooling at the thought of his feast, completely unaware of the danger beneath him. Suddenly, the crab looked up at the cloudy sky and shouted the secret signal at the top of his lungs!

Crab: "HOLE!"

Instantly, the chicken raised her sharp, strong beak and pecked violently at the fragile bottom of the boat. Tap! Tap! CRACK! A large hole opened up, and cool river water began gushing rapidly inside.

Monkey: "What are you doing, Chicken?! Are you completely crazy?! You're making a hole! You're going to sink us all! You know I can't swim!"

Chicken: "This is for every single time you bullied your friends and treated us with cruelty!"

Monkey: "Help! Crab! Chicken! Save me! I'm sorry! I promise I'll be good!"

Within seconds, the heavy, soaked clay boat broke apart completely and sank straight to the dark riverbed. The crab calmly slid into the water, swimming away with effortless grace. The chicken flapped her wings furiously, leaping high into the air and gliding safely to the grassy bank on the other side.

As for the bully monkey? He was left flailing his arms in the deep, fast-flowing water, struggling desperately as the strong river current carried him far away from the forest. The selfish monkey, who never listened to good advice and always mistreated his companions, finally got the exact punishment he deserved.

Moral of the Story

Always treat your friends with kindness, fairness, and respect. Greedy, selfish, and treacherous behavior will only bring trouble and ruin upon yourself in the end!

Give it a try! Help the Hen and Crab teach the mischievous Monkey a lesson.

More folklore on Southeast Sulawesi:

• The Legend of La Moelu: The Magical Fish and the Golden Tree
• How Mount Mekongga Got Its Name: A Magical Folktale
• The Monkey and the Chicken: A Southeast Sulawesi Folktale for Kids