5

NOW my dear little folks, if you listen attentively to this story, you will learn that it is not always wise to aim at a condition above the one in which we are horn; and that many live to rue the day when they left a comfortable home, out of mere ambition.

Jocko was born in one of the grand old forests of Brazil, and spent his childhood in a secure retreat, where no human footsteps had ever intruded, and where the monkeys had everything their own way, and were as happy as the day was long. Jocko’s time was divided between climbing trees, eating nuts, and cutting as many capers as heart could wish.

Don’t you think he had good cause to he contented with his lot?

But it is not only human hearts that are changeful; and monkeys being an inferior imitation of the animal man, it is no wonder if they partake of most of his defects, without any of his redeeming virtues.

Now Jocko did not know when he was well off. The forest with its leafy covert of giant vegetation was as beautiful as could be, but the young monkey thought that out beyond the forest there must he something more beautiful still, and he began to complain that the trees hindered his seeing the world.