The Cap-Seller and the Monkeys

Short Version

Once there was a cap-seller in a town. One day, he was going to a market far away. He carried many caps in a basket.

On the way, he became very tired. He sat under a big tree to take some rest. Soon, he fell asleep.

There were many monkeys in the tree. They came down and took the caps from his basket. Then they wore the caps and climbed the tree again.

When the cap-seller woke up, he saw that his basket was empty. He looked around and saw the monkeys wearing his caps.

Then he had an idea. He took off his own cap and threw it on the ground. The monkeys did the same.

The cap-seller quickly collected all the caps, put them in his basket, and went away happily.

Moral: Wisdom is better than force.

Expanded Version

Once there was a cap-seller in a town. He earned his living by carrying caps from place to place and selling them in different markets. One day, he was going to a distant market with a basket full of caps.

The road was long, and the day was warm. After walking for several hours, the cap-seller became very tired. He saw a large tree beside the road and decided to rest under it. He put the basket beside him, leaned against the tree, and soon fell asleep.

Many monkeys lived in the tree. When they saw the sleeping man, they climbed down quietly. They opened the basket, took the caps, and put them on their heads. Then they climbed back into the tree.

After some time, the cap-seller woke up. He was shocked to find his basket empty. He looked around and then looked up. To his surprise, he saw the monkeys wearing his caps.

He shouted and waved his hands. The monkeys copied him. Then he understood that they liked to imitate him.

The cap-seller took off the cap on his own head and threw it on the ground. At once, the monkeys did the same. All the caps fell from the tree.

He quickly collected them, put them into his basket, and continued his journey happily.