FOUR AGES

“Dad?”

“Yes, Figlio? What finds itself anchored to my son’s mind this fine evening?” “Guess.”

“Hmm, one of your friends got into a fight? One of your teachers bore you with tales of times long gone? It’s not like history isn’t important, but we’ve gone through that already.”

“Yes, it is important to avoid repeating the bad parts and to improve the good ones, I know. But it’s not that.”

“Then what is it, son? It’ll soon be bedtime, and we can’t play this guessing game until sunrise.”

“I’ll lead my group’s Social Manners project in four days because I’m amazing.”

“Oh, wow, that’s incredible son! I thought you disliked those lessons.”

“I used to, but my group told me how smart I am and what a great leader I would be. So, I’m doing all the lessons myself, so I don’t disappoint them.”

“Hmm, that’s commendable, but, say, wouldn’t a great leader also make sure that duties were spread among your group evenly?”

“Maybe, but I want to prove them right!”

“I think I know which story I’ll tell you tonight. So, hop, hop, and get into bed.”

“Aww, but it’s still early, dad.”

“This might take a while, Figlio; I want you to listen very carefully to this tale about the monkeys and the hippos.”

“Is it a war tale? Because I think the hippos will win, they’re a lot stronger than the monkeys.”

“Well, more or less, yes. But there was a time when they were allies long ago.”

…

FOUR AGES

THE MONKEYS AND THE HIPPOS

Written by: Isabel Chiwibel (Fiverr name @Chiwibel)

Edited by: Celina Mike (Fiverr name @Celinawrite)

Seasons ago, when the desert valleys were nothing more than muddy jungles with rivers that ran through them like multiple veins, the Monkeys and the Hippos lived in peace with one another. Together, they protected the jungles, with the Monkeys building towns among the treetops and the Hippos founding their civilizations at the edge of the lakes and rivers. They worked together to keep each other safe. No enemy would strike the Hippos from below as the Monkeys would support them from the treetops, and no attack would come from the skies as the Hippos would reinforce them from below.

Their alliance was an amicable one. There were never any tensions during their long peace talks, often led by the Hippos. They were the richest merchants in the world and provided the more numerous Monkeys with commodities in exchange for their strategic minds and unorthodox tactics in times of war.

Still, a dangerous threat now loomed on the horizon. An army of Horned Lizards had gathered at the edge of the jungle. They had appeared so suddenly that the Monkeys and Hippos had no choice but to engage the enemy.

The Monkey general then called for the Hippo general, and they shook hands as the Hippo drew his friend in to embrace his brother in arms.

“Oh, my friend,” said the Monkey general in all sincerity, “I fear that I ask too much of you and your people this day. But you must move your army quickly to meet the Horned Lizards at the edge of the jungle and engage them at the border to allow me time to gather my much larger forces and come to your aid.”

The Hippo shook his head and said that no favor was too big for them, as the current and past generations had known no life that didn’t include the Monkeys living with them, sharing with them, and being their family. He told the Monkey general not to worry and would defend against the Horned Lizards until he brought reinforcements.

“Danger comes, and your stronger army would fare much better on the front than my forces, who thrive in attacking from distances and remaining unseen. Call your Hippos; have them march towards victory, and we’ll join you shortly.”

Days passed, and the Hippos armed themselves and confronted the invading Horned Lizards at the borders.

“Leave now!” said the Hippo general confidently to the Horned Lizards. “Or death shall rain from above when you least expect it, for we do not stand alone today and never again!”

The Horned Lizard general approached him, holding his wide belly as he laughed. “Have you not realized the silence at your back? Your allies have abandoned you. They sold your Hippos in exchange for their survival. They sent you to face us alone while they escaped because they knew the treetops held no safety for them and the cost to win a victory was more than they were willing to pay.”

That day, the Hippos were decimated. They were strong but without the added strength of their Monkey allies, they were not strong enough. They fell one after the other, as streams of blood capable of cutting through sheer rock shot out from the Horned Lizard’s eyes. The Hippo general fought bravely and was the last to fall.

…

“That… That was horrible”

“Yes, Figlio, it’s a sad and terrible tale. But there’s a lesson in this story. Did you learn it?

“Yes. I can’t do a group project alone. I need help.”

“Correct. But don’t be sad. You have three days to get everyone in your group to pitch in to create the best Social Manners project in the class. Figlio never rush in to do a job by yourself that requires many hands.”

“Alright, Dad. Thank you. I’ll try.”

“I’m sure you will, son. I’m sure you will.”

The End! Stay tuned for the next Fable next week!

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