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Martin the Monkey had been up in a tree
ever since Graham the mean old Lion had chased him up there. Harry
the Hippo had tried all kinds of ways to tempt him down, but all
had failed. He’d tried to tempt with the promise of lots of
fresh bananas. He’d also revealed a secret he’d been keeping,
he’d found a new watering hole for him, Gordon the Giraffe and
Martin to go to, full of fresh water and always deserted, they
wouldn’t be teased by the other animals there. It wasn’t
enough; Martin clutched his branch mumbling to himself.
“Can’t come down, Lion will eat me.”
Harry sighed, “This is going to be
tough.” Then he had an idea and wondered off. He figured he
could get Gordon the Giraffe to raise his head up to Martin’s
branch and Martin can jump off and slide down his neck. The only
problem was - Gordon was scared of heights.
So he left Martin hugging tightly to his
branch and trundled off to look for Gordan. All he’d wanted to
do today was wallow in that lovely cool muddy pool he’d found.
He didn’t want to be messing about trying to get monkeys out of
trees and persuading giraffes to raise their heads. Silly
dysfunctional animals, but they were his friends and they needed
him.
Harry eventually found Gordan wandering
amongst a few bushes mumbling to himself about his other giraffe
friends. They’d been teasing him about his fear of heights.
“Hi Harry.”
“Hi Gordon,” replied Harry.
“What’s wrong?” Gordon asked as he
noticed Harry’s agitated manner.
“Martin has been chased up a tree by
Graham, and now he won’t come down.”
“Oh dear,” said Gordon. He paused,
thinking for a moment. “Oh no. What is it you want me to do?”
“Lift your head up and let him climb down
your neck.” Harry replied.
“Oh no,” Gordon said again. “I
can’t do that. You know what happens when I lift my head up.”
“Well couldn’t you at least try?
Otherwise he’ll be stuck up there forever. When was the last
time you tried?”
“I can’t. Oh dear.”
Harry let out a heavy sigh; being a mild
mannered Hippo he wasn’t good at arguing and persuading.
“Well I guess we’ll just have to leave
him up there to die.”
What Harry said scared Gordon. Martin
wouldn’t die. He dismissed it as silly, stupid non-climbing
Monkey would eventually come down, wouldn’t he? Gordon wasn’t
quite sure.
“Harry?” He called out. Harry turned
his head slowly.
“Yes?”
“Maybe we should go and persuade Martin to come down.
But under no circumstances am I lifting my head, okay?”
“Okay.” Harry replied and they both trundled off,
back to the tree.
Harry was pleased he’d managed to get Gordon to the
tree - that was the first step, the second step would be to get
him to lift his head, one thing at a time he thought. Gordon on
the other hand was a little apprehensive and his apprehension grew
as they stepped through the grass, getting closer and closer to
the tree. He wasn’t stupid; he knew Harry would eventually ask
him to lift his head. This thought scared him so much he almost
turned around and went home, but he kept going, feeling a duty
toward his friend, especially if what Harry said about him dying
was true.
Martin was shaking a little less now, but was still
hugging his branch tightly.
“Are you ready to come down yet Martin?” Harry
shouted up to him.
“No. Definitely not, Graham will come back.”
“No he won’t, he’s gone. And even if he does come
back, Gordon’s here now, we’ll both protect you.”
“Gordon ha, what can he do? He’s a Giraffe and a
Giraffe that can’t lift his head. Never mind protecting me.
Graham will probably eat Gordon too.
“Hey, I take offence to that.”
“Good, I take offence to you coming here ruining my
peaceful branch hanging. If you don’t mind I’d like to get
back to it.”
“We’re only trying to help.” Harry said.
“I don’t need your help.”
“Fine, stay up the blasted tree, see if I care.”
And with that Harry stormed off.
“Wait. What happens if he dies?” Gordon whispered
to Harry as he started off.
“Well I guess you’ll have to get him down then.”
“I can’t.”
Harry
shrugged and roamed away into the distance seemingly without a
care for Martin at all.
Gordon watched him, worried. He couldn’t quite
believe Harry had come over this uncaring; he’d always put his
friends before himself. Gordon looked up to where Martin was
hanging, it didn’t look that high really, if you thought about
it. He skulked about a little, his nerves building. He chewed on
some grass and looked up once more judging how high it was. He
decided right there and then to just do it, lift his head up in
one foul swoop.
There he was his head above the trees; he’d
dramatically over judged how high Martin was. He couldn’t quite
believe it, he could see for miles. His neck felt sore and creaked
a little because he’d been keeping it low for all these years.
“Hey look at this Martin. I raised my head. I did it.
I actually did it.”
“Yeah great, I’m still staying here though.”
“Hey, I haven’t overcome my biggest fear for
nothing. You jump from that branch right now or there’ll be
trouble.”
Martin didn’t need telling twice, he jumped off,
grabbed Gordon’s neck, slid down, bounced off his back and onto
the floor. Martin looked all around for the Lion, but didn’t see
any sign of him.
“It’s all clear.”
“Well of course it is dummy, you’ve been up there
all day.”
Off they strolled, to find Harry, Martin running in
excited zigzags around Gordon. Gordon held his head high and
didn’t feel dizzy or scared. He couldn’t wait to tell Harry
all about it.
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