One Mango, Two Owners

A monkey and a parrot both lived in the same mango tree. The tree had one ripe mango at the very top, and both of them wanted it.

“That mango is mine,” said the monkey. “I live in this tree.”

“No, it’s mine,” said the parrot. “I saw it first.”

They could not agree. The monkey said that he was bigger, so he should get it. The parrot said that she was older, so she should get it. They argued all morning.

In the end, the monkey decided to steal it. He climbed up fast and reached for the mango. But the parrot was faster. She flew up and grabbed the mango in her feet.

“Give it back!” the monkey shouted.

The monkey tried to attack her, but the parrot was already in the air. She did not want to fight, so she just flew away to escape.

But mangoes are heavy, and parrots are small. Halfway across the field, the parrot got tired. The mango slipped from her feet and fell — straight into the open mouth of a goat below.

The monkey and the parrot looked down at the goat. The goat looked up and smiled.

“Next time,” said the parrot, “let’s just share.”