• The Stupid Monkeys

Good intentions need wisdom.

Once upon a time, there lived a benevolent king who ruled over a prosperous land. One day, he declared a special holiday for all the residents of one of his cities—a day of rest, joy, and celebration. This generous decree extended to everyone, including the humble gardener who was responsible for tending the king’s magnificent royal garden.

The gardener was a simple, devoted man who took great pride in his work. However, upon hearing the news of the holiday, he couldn’t resist the idea of joining his friends in the city to partake in the festivities. Yet, he faced a dilemma: the young saplings in the garden needed to be watered that evening, and he couldn't neglect his duties.

As he pondered his options, an idea occurred to him. “Why not ask the Monkeys to water the trees in my absence?” he thought.

The king’s garden was home to a group of playful monkeys who spent their days swinging from trees, feasting on ripe fruit, and enjoying a carefree life. Among them was a Monkey Chief who was known for his calm demeanor and appeared to be the most sensible of the group.

The gardener approached the Monkey Chief with a proposal. “You and your tribe have been given a wonderful life here in the king’s garden,” he said. “You enjoy the fruits of the trees and live in peace. Today, I wish to take part in the holiday celebration with my friends in the city. Would you be willing to help me by watering the young trees while I’m away?”

The Monkey Chief, feeling honored and eager to prove his usefulness, agreed enthusiastically. “Of course!” he exclaimed. “We would be happy to help you.”

Relieved, the gardener gave them a few simple instructions. “Water the saplings at sunset. Be sure to give them enough water, but not too much. I’m counting on you,” he said, showing them how to use the watering pots before heading off.

As evening approached and the sun began to set, the monkeys excitedly gathered the watering pots. The Monkey Chief reminded them of their task. “Make sure every tree receives the right amount of water,” he said.

“But how will we know how much water each tree needs?” one of the monkeys asked.

The Chief, uncertain but trying to sound wise, replied, “Let’s pull up each tree and examine its roots. If the roots are long, the tree needs a lot of water. If they’re short, give it only a little.”

Without questioning further, the monkeys set to work. With the best of intentions—but lacking understanding—they uprooted every single young tree to measure the length of its roots, then attempted to water them accordingly.

When the gardener returned the next day, he was devastated. The garden was in ruins. All the young trees had been pulled from the soil, their roots exposed to the air, and most were already withered and dying.

A painful truth dawned on him: though the monkeys meant no harm and had tried to help, he had made a critical error in judgment. He had assumed that their intelligence was enough to handle a task that required care, sensitivity, and an understanding of nature’s delicate balance. In the end, the monkeys had lacked the wisdom needed for such responsibility.

From that day on, the gardener never forgot the lesson he had learned: good intentions are not enough without the knowledge to act wisely.