The Monkeys’ Watering Lesson

The gardener wanted to visit the village festival. Before leaving, he needed to water the young trees. Three monkeys who lived in the garden eagerly offered to take over his work.

He showed them the watering pots and pointed to the little trees. “Enough water, but not too much,” he said. The monkeys nodded without asking how much a young tree needed.

After the gardener left, the monkeys carried their pots to the first row. One asked how to tell which tree needed more water. Their leader scratched his head, uncertain but unwilling to admit it.

Then he invented a plan. “We will measure the roots,” he announced. “Long roots get more water.” The others thought this sounded clever and began tugging a sapling from the soft soil.

Soon several little trees lay beside their empty holes. The monkeys carefully compared the roots, but the leaves began to droop. Their tidy watering plan had made a much bigger problem.

A village helper passed the gate and saw the drooping trees. He called the gardener back from the festival. The gardener hurried in and stopped the monkeys before they pulled up any more.

“Roots need to stay in the earth,” he explained, keeping his voice calm. The monkeys looked at their mistake. Together, they lowered every sapling back into its hole and covered the roots.

The gardener showed them how to pour water slowly around each trunk. They watched the soil darken and felt its dampness gently. This time, they asked questions until the instructions made sense.

For many days, the monkeys helped tend the young trees. They checked with the gardener whenever they were unsure. New leaves finally opened on the saplings they had nearly harmed through guessing.

At the next festival, they knew how to help properly. The gardener thanked them and left clear instructions. Their enthusiasm was still bright, but now it had patient learning beside it.