Some Bushmen wanted to catch some monkeys by using a very clever way,. Firstly they would dig a hole in the ground and construct a trap within. Then would place in it a beautiful orange smelling so sweet and looking so delicious to lure the monkeys. They would then cover up the hole but leave an opening just big enough for the monkey to get his hand through.

The monkeys who had been watching all along would see the Bushmen digging the holes and placing the wonderful oranges in the hole. Quite a number of holes would be dug and baited this way. Then Bushmen would retreat back into the jungle and hide. Sooner or later one monkey and then another would come to the holes and try to remove the tempting objects and they would not be able to do so, the combined size of the hand of the monkeys and the objects being gripped so tightly would prove too big to pass back out through the holes.


Now the monkeys would not drop the precious object firmly clasped in its hand, not even though they were trapped and at grave risk of being killed. The hunters would return and begin slaughtering the monkeys. Most of the other trapped monkeys would just look on, still tenaciously hanging on to the precious object and not being able to free their hand from the trap. Yet every now and then, one monkey here, another there, would let go and scoot off into the bush and safety.


These wise monkeys let go..