Why Monkeys Look Like Humans

And then a big fight ensued.

Let’s throw it back.

***

Long, long ago, a time before your forefathers, when all of creation had direct access to the Creator, the monkeys in the world at the time agreed amongst themselves and went to meet the Creator.

What for? You might ask.

They said they had observed the humans; the way they ate.

If only they could see the future and see Nigerians complain about the price of food in 2024, they would have thought otherwise.

-the way they dressed.

Why would anyone want to wear clothes, seeing how hot it can get in Lagos, Nigeria?

It is a popular saying that when you go out in Lagos thinking you are half-dressed, there will be someone else more half-dressed than you. Lagosians like to be half-dressed.

If it were possible, Lagosians would switch places with these monkeys.

-the way they party.

Okay, I think this one is reason enough, especially for a Lagos party. If you haven’t attended one, add it to your bucket list.

-how they work.

People like myself will die to switch places with these monkeys. The Creator provides for them while they chill in a bed of leaves, but they want to work like humans.

-the human lifestyle as a whole.

Do you think our lifestyle as humans is worth imitation? We backbite, slander each other, and go as far as killing our brothers.

These monkeys probably had a grass-is-greener-on-the-other-side mentality.

They had watched the humans for a long time and did not want to copy them but wanted to be them.

How ridiculous?

“What?! No, you are unique in your way. I am not a fool; I created you like this for a reason.” You would expect the Creator to say.

Whether the creator said this or something similar, we would never know, but we know he gave the monkeys instructions on what to do to become like humans.

What?

He asked them to stay indoors for seven days.

‘Indoors?’ I’m not sure that is the word.

‘Quarantined?’

It reminds me of COVID-19, and I think that must have been the idea.

They were to stay isolated or enclosed in that room, for seven days without stepping out or seeing others outside of the room.

So ‘quarantined’ must be the word.

They did not have phones, so what did they do? You might ask. I’m asking too.

The Creator told them that after these seven days, they would look exactly like humans.

They did as the creator instructed. They stayed enclosed in a room.

But for how long?

The first five days went pretty well. On the sixth day, the monkeys were indoors as usual, but by the window this time, when they saw the humans partying.

I can bet it followed the Lagos party formula because that is the only kind of party that should make you break the rules.

In excitement, they stepped out with their bodies almost looking human-like and joined the party.

When you go to a party you are not invited to, do you keep quiet or make sure your presence is felt? Whatever you do, read on.

The monkeys danced and enjoyed themselves to the point that they began to sing to the hearing of the humans that at this time the following day, they would be humans already.

“Ni wo yi ola o ma d’eniyan

Ma d’eniyan o, ma d’eniyan.”

Ola of Lagos would marvel at the amount of space in the heads of these monkeys. Even a madman would marvel at their thoughtlessness.

The humans at first wondered what the monkeys were saying; after repeating it a few times, they understood. The humans attacked the monekeys, they fought in return, and a big fight ensued.

The ritual was ruined by that, hence, the incomplete metamorphosis of the monkeys into humans.

Now, that is why monkeys act and look almost like humans.

***

Moral Lesson(s):

I’ll let you fill in this part yourself.

Story retold by: my mother

Story credit: Late Chief Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister (MFR) on his ‘Ma se rere’ track.

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Day 66/100

#the100writingmarathon