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In a sunny clearing on the forest’s edge, Carpenter planes a board at his rustic outdoor bench. Curious Monkey stands on a low branch, chest puffed and boasting toward unseen forest neighbors.
Beside a small village, a carpenter worked near the forest. Monkeys lived nearby, nibbling nuts and bananas from friendly porches. One was Curious Monkey, who adored new things. He bragged, "I'm smarter than everyone!"
Beside the same bench under late-morning light, Carpenter taps a small wedge into a half-split log. Hidden behind tall grass, Curious Monkey watches wide-eyed, memorizing each careful movement.
Curious Monkey watched the carpenter split a log. Tap, tap, the hammer placed a small wedge. Then a bigger wedge slid carefully in. "How interesting!" whispered Curious Monkey, eyes shining. He tried to remember every step.
Noon sun filters through pines as Carpenter sets his hammer and wedges on the bench and walks toward the village path. Crouched behind a stump, Curious Monkey watches, tense tail wrapped around his feet.
The carpenter stretched and smiled. "Time for lunch," he said, wiping sawdust. He set the tools down and walked away. Curious Monkey crouched behind a stump, waiting. His heart thumped like a drum.
In the quiet clearing beneath bright afternoon sky, Curious Monkey climbs onto the workbench. He grips the little wedge with both hands and proudly yanks it from the log, tail swishing behind him.
When the clearing was quiet, he hopped to the workbench. "I can do it!" he chirped proudly. He gripped the little wedge with both hands. His tail swished behind him, carefree. He tugged the wedge straight out.
The instant the wedge leaves, the log snaps shut around Curious Monkey’s dangling tail with a sharp wooden clack. Standing beside the vise, he freezes wide-eyed, one hand on the log, pain flickering across his face.
He hadn't seen his tail slip into the open crack. The log snapped shut with a wooden clack. "Uh-oh!" yelped Curious Monkey, freezing. The stuck tail stung and tingled. He trembled, not knowing what to do.
Late-afternoon shadows stretch over the clearing as Curious Monkey sits pinned to the log, tail still trapped. He calls toward the forest path, watery eyes lifted, while startled birds flutter from nearby branches.
"Help, please!" he squeaked toward the path. Birds fluttered, and the leaves rustled. Tears welled, but he held still. "I wish I'd asked first," he sniffled. He listened for returning footsteps hopefully.
Hearing the cry, Carpenter rushes back into the sun-dappled workspace, sawdust swirling in his wake. He kneels beside the jammed log, studying the wedges while Curious Monkey trembles, tail caught fast.
Hearing the cry, the carpenter hurried back. He saw the jammed log and trembling monkey. "Hold still, friend," he said gently. He studied the wedges, calm and careful. His eyes were kind, not angry.
Under warm golden light, Carpenter gently taps the big wedge deeper, reopening the crack. The log parts, releasing Curious Monkey’s tail, and the man wraps it with a clean cloth while the monkey exhales in relief.
The carpenter tapped the big wedge into place. The crack opened, releasing the pinched tail. "There we go," he murmured. He wrapped a clean cloth around the sore spot. Curious Monkey breathed, "Thank you, thank you!"
Inside the same clearing now turned amber by lowering sun, Carpenter crouches beside a toolbox, explaining the proper use of each tool. Curious Monkey sits on the stump, ears drooping and hands folded apologetically.
"Tools aren't toys," the carpenter explained kindly. "Curiosity is good, but ask and learn safely." Curious Monkey nodded, ears drooping. "I'm sorry for meddling," he said. "Could you teach me the right way?"
Soft evening light glows between trunks as Carpenter hands Curious Monkey a ripe banana beside the stump. They sit shoulder-to-shoulder, breathing pine-scented air while distant cicadas begin to sing.
The carpenter smiled and handed him a banana. "Tomorrow, we can watch from a safe spot." Curious Monkey promised, "I'll wait and listen." They sat on the stump, breathing piney air. The forest felt friendly again.
In the twilight clearing, Carpenter holds a tiny sketch of a birdhouse, pointing to measurements. Curious Monkey claps eagerly beside him, imagining painted roofs against the dimming sky.
"Tomorrow we'll make a birdhouse together," said the carpenter. "You can measure while I hammer." Curious Monkey clapped and grinned. He imagined tiny doors and painted roofs. "I'll learn the safe way," he repeated.
Night settles over the quiet forest as Curious Monkey curls into a nest of leaves high in a tree. Fireflies blink below while he smiles softly, tail tucked safely beside him.
That evening he told the trees his lesson. "Curiosity needs care and helpers," he said. Tomorrow he'd ask before touching tools. He curled into leaves, tail safe and warm. The forest hummed a gentle goodnight.