The Battle of the Monkey and the Crab

In ancient times, Monkey and Crab lived as neighbors. One day, they went for a walk together, and suddenly, near the river, Monkey found a persimmon seed, while Crab found a rice ball.

"What a delightful thing I've found!" Crab was the first to speak.

"And look what I have!" Monkey replied, showing the persimmon seed.

Monkey was very envious. As much as she loved persimmons, the seed was of little use to her; the rice ball, on the other hand, could be enjoyed immediately. Monkey was determined to get her hands on the rice ball and, plotting to obtain it, she turned to Crab with a serious expression:

"Say, Mr. Crab, would you like to exchange your rice ball for my seed?"

Crab shook his head and refused:

"I have no desire to do so. What's the point in trading? My rice ball is so big, and your seed is so tiny."

"Well, that's true, but not entirely. Of course, the rice ball is bigger than the seed, and you can eat it right away, but once you've eaten it, that's the end of it; you won't get any more joy from it. But this seed is a different story! True, you can't eat it now, but if you plant it in the ground, it will grow into a big tree, and it will bear many delicious persimmons. Honestly, I feel bad giving it to you, but I have many of them, and I'd like you to see for yourself how many fruits it can produce. That's why I offered to trade with you."

"If you don't want to, I won't insist; I'll take it home and plant it there myself. But when the fruits ripen, you won't get a single one."

Monkey wasn't angry at all, nor did she show the slightest displeasure. She just kept singing and humming to Crab, skillfully deceiving him.

The naturally naive Crab easily fell for the bait.

"Well, I'll try planting it, if that's the case."

"In that case, give me your rice ball." Having finally gotten what she wanted from Crab, Monkey hastily stuffed the treat into her mouth and began chewing, afraid that Crab might change his mind. She handed her seed to Crab, trying to show how sorry she was to part with it.

And so they parted ways.

Well, Crab carried the seed back to his home, and as soon as he arrived, he planted it in the garden, just as Monkey had instructed.

Soon, sprouts appeared, and then leaf by leaf, branch by branch, the tree grew taller every day. This greatly amused and delighted Crab; he felt immense joy at the thought that soon the tree would be big and bear many fruits.

As the saying goes, it takes three years for a chestnut or peach tree to bear fruit, but for a persimmon tree, it takes eight years.

Exactly in the eighth year, in the fall, the tiny seed, no bigger than the tip of a little finger, had grown into such a large tree that one had to tilt their head back to see the top. And just as Monkey had said, it was covered, as if with lanterns, in red, delicious fruits.

Crab was thrilled. He wanted to taste the persimmons as soon as possible, but no matter how hard he tried to reach them from below, alas, he couldn't grab them with his claws, as he was very short.

Climbing the tree was also out of the question, since crabs can only move sideways. What was he to do?

"No," he lamented, "it seems I can't manage this alone. The only option is to go to my friend Monkey and ask her to pick the fruits for me. Yes, that's the best solution." In an instant, Crab found himself at Monkey's home.

"Are you home, Miss Monkey?"

"Ah, Mr. Crab! How nice to see you. It's been a long time since we last met."

"Indeed, it has been a while. In that time, that very seed I once traded with you for a rice ball has grown into a huge tree."

"See, I told you so. And how are the fruits? Are there many?"

"Plenty... But here's the thing. As you know, I have many legs, but I still couldn't climb the tree to reach the fruits I grew with such care. Isn't that frustrating? I feel bad troubling you, Miss Monkey, but what can I do? Please, go and pick them for me. As a reward for your effort, I'll, of course, give you one or two."

"Honestly, it's no trouble at all, old friend Crab. What kind of reward is that? We're friends, after all. I'll go and pick them for you right away."

Having so easily agreed, Monkey set off with Crab.

They arrived at Crab's home. Monkey looked up at the tree... And indeed! The tree had grown very large, and it was covered in red, ripe fruits.

"It's beautiful, no doubt about it; and the fruits must be delicious."

"Well, we'll talk about that later. For now, climb the tree quickly, pick the fruits, and hand them down to me."

"I'll do it right away."

Monkey quickly scrambled up the tree. She immediately plucked a fruit and began eating it.

"Mmm, how delicious, it couldn't be better." Crab fidgeted restlessly under the tree.

"Hey! Are you enjoying them up there by yourself? That's not fair at all."
- I’m testing to see if they’re poisonous. – She picked some more and started chewing.

- You’re eating again. Don’t you dare feast alone over there, throw some here!

- Alright, I’ll throw some now. – And she tossed one fruit. The Crab skillfully caught it and was about to swallow it whole, but... Oh, horror! A sharp bitterness seized his tongue and throat.

- This one’s too bitter, pick some ripe ones for me, please.

- Well, how about this one?

The Crab chewed and chewed, then spat it out: it was still green.

- Why are you being so picky? Here you go, take this!

The Monkey began hurling completely green, rock-hard fruits with all her might, aiming for the Crab’s head.

- Ouch, that hurts! – the Crab finally cried out, falling backward.

The Monkey hurled another one.

- It hurts, it hurts!.. What are you doing?

- Why should I explain anything to you? All these fruits are mine, and you can just drop dead, perish completely.

And the bandit Monkey, like hail, began showering the Crab with unripe fruits, mercilessly smashing his shell to pieces.

Finally noticing that he was no longer breathing, she picked all the remaining ripe fruits, gathered them in her arms, and dashed home without looking back.

The Crab had a son; that day, he had gone for a walk with his friend to a distant lake.

But when he returned from his walk, what horror met his eyes at home! In the garden, under the tree, lay his father, the Crab, lifeless. His shell and claws were shattered to pieces. He could no longer see, he could no longer hear, he was now a Crab of another world.

Seeing this, the Crab’s son nearly lost his mind. He wept bitterly and inconsolably, clutching his father’s lifeless body... Alas! No tears could bring him back to life. There was only one thing left—to avenge his father’s death by killing the enemy. But who was it? Where was he? How could he find even a trace? With a heavy heart, the young Crab looked around.

Then he noticed that not a trace remained of the beautiful ripe fruits that had hung on the tree just yesterday. All around lay only green, unripe fruits, which had likely been used to smash his father’s shell. The young Crab slapped his knee.

“Now I understand. It must have been the Monkey’s doing. I’ve heard from my father before that long ago, when he was walking by the river with the Monkey, he traded her a rice ball for a kaki seed, which he planted here.

So now that wicked Monkey wanted to reap the fruits of my father’s labor, and she killed him in such a bandit-like way. That’s how it is; she took all the ripe kakis and left only the green ones. Well, if you wanted to taste the treat, what’s the big deal? You could have told my father, and he would have shared, but to kill him so treacherously and run away!

Just you wait, you vile Monkey, soon you’ll learn how a Crab takes revenge.” He grew so angry that he began to snort, foaming at the mouth, and his eyes turned bloodshot; then he fell into thought again.

“No matter what, the Monkey is a creature seasoned by life’s experiences; she managed to cleverly get rid of even my father, so how can I, with my inexperience, deal with her?”

He pondered for a long time and finally became completely disheartened, seeing no way out of this situation, but suddenly his mind seemed to clear.

His father had always been great friends with the Stone Mortar.

This Mortar had once been a simple stone in the stone fence where the old Crab lived, but then it was noticed by people and made a brilliant career, achieving the high title of Mortar. By nature, it was unwavering in its principles and had such a character that it would never back down if it made a promise.

If he told it everything and asked for help in avenging his father, it would surely not refuse. Without wasting a moment, the young Crab went straight to the Mortar. Upon being received, he tearfully recounted all the circumstances of the terrible, undeserved death of his father.

Listening to him, the Mortar was deeply moved and comforted the young Crab in every way.

- What a crime! – it exclaimed indignantly. – I can imagine how grieved you must be; but don’t worry, I will avenge your father, I will kill the enemy.

But the enemy is the Monkey, and it won’t be easy to deal with her. – Then it sent its servant to summon Roasted Chestnut, a master marksman, and the Great Wasp, a fencing instructor. The Mortar had long been friends with them.

When Chestnut and Wasp arrived at the Mortar, wondering along the way why it had called them, it addressed them with these words:

- I’m very grateful that you came so quickly. I dared to trouble you with the following matter. I have enjoyed the utmost kindness from the father of the Crab present here. So, – and it recounted everything in detail, – he met an undeserved death at the hands of the Monkey, and I decided to help this gentleman, the young Crab, avenge his father’s death, but our opponent is a renowned daredevil, the cunning Monkey, and it’s not so simple or easy to kill her.

I wanted to ask you to join in avenging the old Crab’s death. That’s why I troubled you by asking you to come here.

Please help us kill this vile Monkey.

After hearing all this, Chestnut moved closer and said with conviction:

- From what I’ve just heard, it seems that the cause of the quarrel was my comrade, the kaki fruit, and so I, also a fruit, consider it my duty to assist the Crab in avenging his father. Please, Mortar, give your orders as you see fit.

The Wasp also didn’t want to be left out.
- "And I," she declared, "am very glad for the chance to thrust my spear and take revenge on that vile Monkey, who has caused me much grief by defiling my dwellings."

Stump was very pleased with such unanimity among her friends.

- "I feel my strength growing just from how willingly you all agree. Well then, I have a bit of a plan, though I don’t know if you’ll like it."

- "What kind of plan?"

- "In any plan, the most important thing is secrecy. Move closer to me."

- "We are listening, Stump."

They say that when three people consult together, even Monju himself could not devise anything wiser. Stump, Chestnut, and Wasp, leaning close to one another, began to work out some secret plan, and, whispering their negotiations, finally came to a decision.

- "Let us be vigilant," said one.

- "We shall not sheathe our swords!" exclaimed another boldly.

With that, they parted ways.

Stump, who was particularly close to Father Crab, went with him to his dwelling and, after properly preparing the deceased’s body, bowed reverently before him.

Now let us turn to the Monkey. Having treacherously killed Crab and taken all the ripe fruit, she was pleased with how well things had turned out. Yet, aware that she had done wrong, she expected terrible revenge from Crab’s relatives. This thought troubled her, and for several days she stayed at home, not showing herself anywhere and languishing in boredom.

But the Monkey was not one to lack audacity.

"No," she decided, "nothing of the sort can happen. When I killed Crab, there were no outsiders around, and besides, I beat Crab to death—dead men tell no tales. Therefore, no one can know that this was my doing, and if no one knows, then why should I upset myself and be afraid? Yes, of course, there’s no reason for me to worry about this."

Reassured by such reasoning, the Monkey chose a day and cautiously made her way to Crab’s dwelling to see how things stood. Everything turned out exactly as she had decided.

Young Crab had no intention of seeking revenge. The relatives of the deceased had come to the conclusion that the old man had carelessly climbed the tree himself, wanting to pick some persimmons, but since his shell was very heavy, his legs couldn’t hold him. He tumbled down from the tree and, falling onto the many hard, unripe fruits scattered below, was killed instantly.

The cause, therefore, was Crab’s own carelessness; as the saying goes, he reaped what he sowed, and there was no one to take revenge for it.

The Monkey calmed down and decided that if things were as they seemed, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for her to visit Young Crab and express her condolences for the misfortune that had befallen him.

Such is the wisdom of the Monkey: she sinks deep but swims shallow.

While the Monkey was pondering the situation, a messenger from Crab arrived. Wondering why he had come, the Monkey invited him inside her dwelling and prepared to listen.

- "The other day, our master, old Crab, wishing to pick persimmons in the garden, climbed a tree—something he really shouldn’t have done. Of course, this was an unusual task for him; unable to hold on, he tumbled down and immediately breathed his last, smashing against the ground. Today marks exactly the seventh day since his passing. You were friends with him, and the deceased’s son asks that you come to the memorial service, apologizing in advance for the modest vegetarian offerings. Moreover, he asks that you accept, as a token of remembrance, the persimmon tree, which he no longer needs. Young Master Crab has instructed me to ask that you come with me right away."

The messenger delivered this message very politely.

Hearing him out, the Monkey pretended to be shocked. - "What am I hearing? Master Crab fell from a tree and was killed? It can’t be! I can’t believe my ears. Oh, oh, what a tragedy! I must admit, there is a part of my sin in this. Since childhood, Crab and I were as close as soulmates. Eight years ago, we were walking by the river, and Master Crab found a rice ball, while I found a persimmon seed. We exchanged them then. To think that this ill-fated tree grew from that very seed. It’s a pity, all the more so because I, too, am somewhat involved in this... If I had known it would turn out like this, I would never have given him that seed, but he begged so much that I eventually agreed... And now... such a thing has happened... I’m at a loss for words!"

Whether she had secretly licked pepper or not, tears began to flow uncontrollably from her eyes, and she wept genuinely.

"Where does she get it from?" the messenger wondered. "Well, we’ll see. Soon we’ll make you cry real tears."

But he gave no sign of his thoughts and spoke even more respectfully:

- "How this has upset you, how you grieve! Our late Master Crab must be rejoicing in the depths of his grave. What answer shall I bring back to my master?"

- "It goes without saying. I am very much at fault for not coming sooner to express my condolences, not knowing what had happened. But I wish to correct this oversight and will go at once to bid farewell to the deceased."

- "How pleased Young Master will be that you have so willingly agreed to come. Well, then, I shall go on ahead."

- "I’ll follow right behind."

- "We will await you with impatience."
- Just a moment, I'll be right there.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye, thank you very much.

When the messenger left, the Monkey began talking to herself:

"Well, of course, this is exactly how it is, no tricks here. That fool Crab has bulging eyes for nothing; he sees nothing useful with them. He's good for nothing. And now, he doesn't even notice his enemy, who is already nearby. On the contrary, he persistently invites them to bid farewell to the deceased, begging them to accept the tree as a keepsake... As the proverb says: 'Even a thief gets rewarded.'

A fool, what a fool! But let's not chatter about this; it all works in my favor. Let's go, let's go to their memorial feast."

The further it went, the bolder and bolder the Monkey became. Dressed appropriately for the occasion, she headed to Crab's dwelling. There, she was respectfully greeted by Crab's relatives, who bowed low to the ground and sat solemnly on either side of the stone fence. Seeing this, the Monkey, with an air of arrogance, slowly walked between them into the front hall.

Here, Crab's servant was waiting. Upon seeing the guest, he respectfully bowed, led her through the corridor to the inner rooms, and invited her to sit in the prepared seat.

The Monkey sat where she was told and began to rest.

After some time, the host, young Crab, came out to her.

"Welcome, Madam Monkey. Please excuse me for receiving you in such a humble abode," he greeted her politely.

"Ah! The son of the late Crab! Such misfortune has unexpectedly befallen you; I can imagine how hard it must be for you," the Monkey replied, expressing her thoughts with importance.

Meanwhile, the preparations for receiving the guest began.

A small table with food was brought in; sake was served.

The Monkey, extremely pleased to see such care taken for her, completely forgot about caution and began to feast to her heart's content.

After the meal, the guest was led to the tea room, where a full tea ceremony was to take place. Asking her to rest there, young Crab left.

Quite some time passed, and he still hadn't returned.

"I've heard that the tea ceremony is very long, but I can't possibly endure it for so long. Ah! I wish I could have some tea soon; my throat is completely dry," she thought.

The Monkey, gradually sobering up, began to feel a strong thirst.

Losing all patience and wanting to drink at least a cup of hot water, she approached the brazier. But as soon as she touched the lid of the kettle, a Chestnut, hidden there in advance, seeing that the right moment had come, shot out with a loud bang and struck her in the neck.

This was a complete surprise for the Monkey, and with a gasp, she fell. But she wasn't the kind of creature to be taken down so easily.

"Ow! It burns!" she screamed and, clutching her wound, rushed out of the tea room.

Outside the house, a Wasp was waiting for her, hidden under the eaves.

"Aha! Just the one I was waiting for, mountain Monkey!" And with that, she thrust her large spear directly into the Monkey's cheek.

One ambush after another; the Monkey was completely disoriented. Deciding that of all the thirty-six strategies, fleeing was the best option at the moment, as life is the most precious, she covered her head with her paws and darted away in a panic.

But on her path, a Mortar was already waiting, hidden in the stone fence. With a dull thud, it fell onto the head of the passing Monkey, pinning her to the ground. Under the weight of the Mortar, the Monkey couldn't even move; sprawled out, she only whimpered pitifully.

Then, young Crab, who had already changed into his battle armor, ran up. Gleaming his inherited claws right in front of the Monkey's face, he coldly laughed, seeing her in such a pitiful state.

"What do you think, mountain Monkey, will happen now?"

"Yes, of course, I was just thinking about that..."

"Of course! There's no need to even discuss it. For how mercilessly you treated my father..."

"No... It was because of him that..."

"Ah! So you still insist on your version?! Well, I'll silence your lying tongue," he said and, with a snap of his claws, immediately severed the Monkey's head.

Thus, the Crab gloriously avenged his father against the Monkey.

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