"
But you have never seen the enormous apes which live in Africa and the
forests of Borneo. Of these the Orang-outang--its name means "man of the
woods"--is the largest. He is as tall as a man, and very strong, with long
arms, which almost reach the ground as he stands. From the pictures I have
seen, I certainly should not like to meet this "man of the woods" at home,
seated in the sort of nest which he makes for himself in the trees. But
these great, fierce-looking creatures can be tamed; and I have read of one
who might be seen walking in the garden, arm-in-arm with his keeper; and of
another who would sit at table and imitate everything which he saw people
do. He would pour out his tea, put sugar and milk in it, and then hold his
cup and saucer, and drink the tea, all very cleverly; for no animals are so
good at imitating others as monkeys are. Remember this, if you are fond of
copying what other people do and say, be sure that you copy only what is
worthy of imitation.
[Illustration: TOO CLEVER.]
Here is an amusing traveller's tale about some monkeys which carried their
love of imitating very far; as you will say when you have read
"THE SAILOR AND THE MONKEYS.
"Once, in the hope of honest gain
From Afric's golden store,
A smart young sailor crossed the main,
And landed on the shore.
"And leaving soon the sultry strand
Where his fair vessel lay,
He travelled o'er the neighbouring land
To trade in peaceful way.
Pages:
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348