"We Named the Monkey Jack"

Captain Jack continued his search for the Golden Treasure. Keeping a weather eye out, he braved stormy seas and dangerous foes to reach his destination.

Now on an island, Jack stood on a white sandy beach facing the jungle before him. After a few steps into the trees, songs of tropical birds filled the air. Streams of white light floated to the ground, staggered by palm trees and vines. The Captain breathed in the humid, warm air.

After hours pressing forward, he felt a rumble in his stomach. Hunger had overtaken the pirate, but it be too late to alter course back to the ship for an afternoon snack. Instead Jack turned his head toward the heavens. There above him a group of bananas hung, waiting for a hungry soul to claim the delicious, ripe fruit.

Attempt after attempt, Jack tried climbing the long, slim trunk. To no avail, he slid down halfway reaching his prize every time, bumping his bottom on the dirt below. Out of desperation he gathered rocks to throw at the bananas. He threw the rocks, then sticks, then his sword, then his hat, and a shoe. Finally, one banana from the bottom of the bunch came loose. Down it went. Jack watched it with starving eyes land on the ground next to the feet of someone else.

Eyes met for the first time. A little brown monkey, frozen in stance, stared at the Captain, then at the banana. Jack approached calmly making no sudden movements. "Nice monkey-monkey," whispered Jack. The monkey tilted his head and watched the boy approach. Only steps away, Jack dove for the banana. A shrieking, "Oooh ooh aaaaah!" came from the monkey as he made his move, too. Soon the Captain and the monkey were rolling in the dirt, each having their turn holding the fruit away from the other.

One unfortunate moment of Jack catching his breath was all it took for the monkey to swing his tail into the boy's stomach, causing Jack to lose his footing. He stumbled backward as the monkey ran the other direction with the stolen banana. Jack quickly regained his balance and took off after the fiend.

Wearing one shoe, the Captain ran through rows of vines and ancient trees to catch his assailant and give a pirate's justice. Up ahead a snapping noise echoed through the trees. A few more steps and Jack stopped, placing his hands on his knees to take a moment and assess. With heavy breaths, he walked a few steps forward and parted through one last bush.

On the ground lay the yummy, yellow banana. Jack picked it up and turned to go back for his missing shoe, when he heard a quiet whimper. He turned slightly to see the mischievous monkey no longer acting smug, caught in a metal, barred cage. The monkey, sullen and frowning, let out a sigh of defeat.

Jack smiled and waved his arm in the air, bowing to the little creature. "Remember this as the day you almost got the better of Captain Jack." He turned to walk away, but stopped. Hesitating to feel further for the monkey, he turned around for one last glance. Accepting his fate, the monkey looked down and muttered soft whimpers.

"Oh, alright then," snapped the Captain. He knelt down beside the cage. "Here you go," and handed the monkey the banana. The fruit slipped through Jack's fingers and onto the cage floor, but the monkey did not take it. Overpowered by the greater good, Jack began to fiddle with the cage door, looking for a way out. The monkey perked up and began his primate rants, jumping and screaming with excitement.

Suddenly voices were heard in the distance. The monkey's captors were coming for their trapped victim. Jack rattled the cage door harder as the monkey's panic increased. Closer and closer came the voices. Finally a little hinge snapped and the door began to open. The monkey's panicked eyes stared into Jack's as if asking him not to leave. As the Captain's attention was being sucked toward the voices, he took one last tug, releasing the door.

Jack's eyes snapped open to find the nurse taking his temperature. After the ordeal, he looked around for his monkey friend. Had he escaped? Worried, Jack's lip pouted and he began to whine.

That's when Jack's daddy entered into the room with an extra visitor. He placed the monkey into Jack's crib and said, "This little fella was outside looking for you, so I made him wash down first and got him a pair of scrubs. He says it's his turn to watch over you and bring you safely home."

Jack smiled upon seeing his new friend. His father continued, "Pirate monkeys are always named Jack, so he'll be Little Jack, or L.J."

Jack fell asleep that night ready to continue his search for the Golden Treasure. This time with a faithful friend.