1. The monkey is a very cunning little animal, and is found in many parts
of the world.
2. A lady once had a monkey, which had been brought to her as a present.
This monkey, like all others, was very fond of mischief and of doing
whatever he saw others do.
3. His mistress found him one day sitting on her toilet table, holding in
one hand a little china mug with water in it, and in the other her
toothbrush, with which he was cleaning his teeth, looking all the time in
the glass.
4. Her little daughter, Maria, had a large doll with a very handsome head
and face. She one day left this doll in the cradle, and went out of the
room. The monkey came in, took the doll in his arms, and jumping upon the
washstand, he began to wash its face.
5. He first rubbed it all over with soap. Then seizing the towel, he
dipped it in the wash bowl, and rubbed it so hard that the doll's face was
entirely spoiled, the paint being all washed off.
6. There have been many tales of monkeys who, armed with sticks, have
joined together and made war or resisted their enemies with great effect.
These are not true, as it is known that in their native state monkeys have
no idea of weapons.
7. The sticks and other missiles said to be thrown at travelers as they
pass under the branches of trees, are usually the dead branches, etc.,
accidentally broken off, as the monkeys, with the natural curiosity of
their tribe, pass along the tops of trees to watch the actions of the
people below.
8. They can, however, be taught to use a stick, and to use it well. Some
time ago, two Italians together owned an organ and a monkey, by means of
which they earned their living. During one of their exhibitions, a dog
flew at the little monkey, which made its owners very angry.
9. They and the owner of the dog quarreled about it, and at last it was
agreed that the dog and the monkey should fight it out; the monkey,
because he was smaller, was to be allowed a stick.
10. The monkey was taught what he was to do in the following manner: One
of the Italians crawled on his hands and knees, barking like a dog, while
the other got on his back, grasped his hair, and beat him about the head
with a stick.
11. The monkey looked on with great gravity, and, when the instruction was
over, received the stick with the air of a man who knew his work and meant
to do it.
12. Everything being settled the dog flew at the monkey with open month.
The monkey immediately leaped on his back, and, grasping the dog's ear,
beat away at his head with such good will that his adversary speedily gave
in. The monkey, however, was not content with a mere victory, but
continued pounding at the dog's head until he left him senseless on the
ground.
DEFINITIONS.--1. Cun'ning, sly. 3. Toi'let ta'ble, dressing table. 6.
Re-sist'ed, opposed. 7. Mis'siles, weapons thrown. 8. Ex-hi-bi'tions,
public shows. 11. Grav'i-ty, seriousness. In-struc'-tion, lesson, 12.
Sense'less, without apparent life.
EXERCISES.--What kind of an animal is a monkey? Where did the lady find
the monkey one day? What was he doing? What did he do with Maria's doll?
Do monkeys in their native state know how to use sticks as weapons? Can
they be taught to use them? Relate the story of the two Italians. What is
the meaning of "etc." in the seventh paragraph?