This poem is a pretty straight forward fable that speaks to the importance of experience. We all learn from our mistakes - right? "Monkey" certainly learned a thing or two about friendship, kindness and humility when his usual dexterity failed him and he tumbled out of his tree!
What Monkey See From Lofty Tree-Sharon Flood Kasenberg-Oct. '07
A monkey sat within a tree,
and much to his delight -
not many problems did he see
that he could not put right.
No faults could escape detection
from his sharp little eyes
and there was no imperfection
he did not criticize.
It never once to him occurred
that most obviously
no trials had he yet endured,
so well ensconced was he.
From his lofty perch he chattered
advice both day and night.
With false confidence he nattered;
he thought it was his right.
How could those silly creatures miss
their glaring huge mistakes?
And rashly, he concluded this:
"They don't have what it takes.
With just a fraction of my wit
they'd see where they went wrong -
root out the flaw and fix it
before too very long.
Their poor eyes cannot comprehend
the broader scope mine do -
'cause if they could they'd see the end
of ills they're going through.
If their brains were as sharp as mine
they'd have things all worked out - "
Thus did our little friend opine -
he knew all, without doubt.
When from his tree by tail he'd swing
sometimes quite far below
he'd hear the other critters sing
as he swung to and fro -
and he'd criticize their chorus,
boasting, "It's very clear
that nobody in this forest
is gifted with my ear."
And if another creature fell
and landed on his face,
the monkey would be sure to yell
that no one had his grace.
Time and again from lofty height
he arrogantly bragged
and thumped his chest with all his might
upon a branch that sagged
until it couldn't bear his weight
and then it simply snapped -
and when the monkey met his fate
some forest creatures clapped.
These creatures knew what he did not -
the perils of the ground
and that a fall could hurt a lot,
could muddle and confound -
and so they clapped - not out of spite
because he slipped and fell -
but with relief he was alright
and lived the tale to tell.
The animals he'd so abused
came swiftly to his aid -
his criticisms were excused,
and friends were swiftly made.
The monkey sat upon the ground
and rubbed his swollen head.
He marveled at friends gathered round
who could have shunned instead.
When past behavior he reviewed,
he saw he'd been unkind.
His observations had been skewed
to faults and failings find.
He now saw challenges they faced -
like struggles to find food -
and soon compassion had replaced
his prior attitude.
From treetops he saw far and wide
and dangers could detect -
he realized he should have tried
to help and to protect.
His friends urged him to bide his time
and keep them company,
but Monkey knew he had to climb
once more into his tree.
It seems because he slipped and fell
some lessons he has learned -
no longer does he brag or yell
since higher he returned.
His eyes are now much more aware
of perils down below -
his store of food he'll gladly share;
protection he'll bestow.
His ears have learned their songs to love -
now as they chorus raise
all they will hear from up above
are kindly words of praise.
That little monkey sits there still,
and forever chatters -
but since the day he took a spill,
he has learned what matters.
He understands he needs good friends
and kindness he must show -
superior behavior ends
once we've fallen below.
Respect from others must be earned.
It comes to those who care,
and who from their own trials learned
how to compassion share.
Now Monkey knows a better way
and does things differently -
since once upon a fateful day
he fell out of his tree.
