The Heart of a Monkey This is an old story from Africa. This story is about a smart monkey. A shark wants his heart.

Monkey lives in a tree by the sea. The tree has fruit. Monkey plays in his tree.

He eats the fruit. Shark is in the sea. Monkey says, "Hello, Shark! Are you hungry?" "Yes," says Shark. Monkey throws fruit to her. "Thank you, my friend!" says Shark.

Every morning, Monkey throws fruit to Shark. One day Shark says, "Come to my home. Meet my brothers and sisters!" "No, thank you. I can't swim," says Monkey. "You can ride on my back," says Shark. "I will not swim fast." "OK!" says Monkey. Monkey sits on Shark. Shark starts swimming.

Monkey sees yellow, orange, and blue fish. "Do you like the sea?" asks Shark.

"Yes!" says Monkey. "My father is sick," says Shark. "He needs your help." "How can I help?" asks Monkey. "He needs to eat your heart," says Shark.

"Oh! My heart is in the tree," says Monkey. "I need to get it. I will give it to your father. Let's go back to the tree." Shark swims back to the tree. Monkey climbs up and hides. Shark says, "Friend Monkey! Do you have your heart?" "Yes, I do," says Monkey. "And your father can't eat it. I do not want to die!" "You are smart," says Shark. "Go home! We are not friends!" says Monkey.