MONKEY IN THE MIDDLE
by Eve Bunting
No folk-tale inevitability, only the merest figment of Eastern imagination—but an amusing bit of buffoonery, lightly cartooned to match. Neighbors Mohammed and Hashim, once friends, are now coconut-picking rivals—"since Mohammed got his monkey and Hashim got his bicycle." The monkey picks Mohammed's coconuts, while Hashim toils; but the bicycle carries Hashim's coconuts, while Mohammed and the monkey trudge. Then the monkey revolts, plays sick—and sympathetic Hashim ("I have nothing against the monkey, only the monkey's master") carries the monkey, and Mohammed, to the doctor on his bicycle. (Mohammed: "I would take nothing from you for myself, but this I will accept on behalf of my monkey.") While they're all at the doctor's, Hashim's bicycle is stolen. The monkey's acrobatics then draw an appreciative crowd; he presents their coins to Hashim—"in return," Mohammed explains, 'flor the loss of your bicycle"; and as the two head home, carrying the monkey in the middle, they seal a bargain to go partners. Amiable and nimble, if featherweight.