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Friday, January 23, 2004
Lee: The monkey and the goat
By Kelvin King Lee
Babble On
The monkey stood and took his place. He thought of the things he could do, the events he could control, the magic he could create. And he smiled.
ONCE upon a time, there was a monkey and a goat. They were both Chinese and were two of 12 that affected the astrological cycles, the lunar years and the centuries. Their charges were humanity, their duties great and all encompassing.
The goat was taciturn but strong, mild but sturdy. He could be counted on in a crisis though he did not like making waves. He did not like stirring trouble or rocking the boat. He liked the status quo, but there were times when this was not so. But we will speak of that later.
The monkey, on the other hand, was the opposite of the goat. He was adventurous and confident and overly intelligent. Where the goat was shy, the monkey was charismatic. Where the goat liked the status quo, the monkey thrived on change and opportunities.
Despite their differences, the monkey and the goat were close, for their formation on the astrological cycle had positioned them besides each other. So wherever the goat was, the monkey will shortly follow. And so that was the way it was. Two ideologically different animals, with different personalities, remained as close as they possibly could. It was fate, you see.
One time, after the goat had arrived at the chosen place to fulfill his duties according to the astrological cycle, the monkey came up behind him after some time, to replace him.
The monkey spoke to him as a friend would. "Brother goat, what have you been doing in the past year?"
The goat bleated at him and said. "I have done many things this year, brother monkey. Though I am a goat, and I am not fond of change and distractions, I have been in a black mood. And so there have been diseases. There has been a war. There has been scandal and chaos, politics and bombings and mutinies. And there is an election coming soon. I have endeavored to make many interesting things."
"I see," the monkey guffawed. "It is unlike you to cause so much trouble, brother goat, yet I see that it is of interest. Perhaps I should continue your work. With my abilities I could manipulate the elections. Place one who is unworthy in power. Create more chaos for our charges. That would be a wonderful trick, would it not?"
The goat shook his head. "It has been a trying year. Peace and quiet would be good for our charges. They are tired, and I know they wish for certainty and stability now. My time has caused grief for many. Pity them, brother monkey."
The monkey played with his tail, and showed his teeth as he thought it over. He thought of the peace he could create, the opportunities he could make, instead of the chaos he could have continued. He hesitated. Then he said simply: "We will see."
The goat bleated once more, nodded to his comrade, and moved on, leaving his charges and waiting for the next moment when he will be called to his astrological duty.
The monkey stood and took his place. He thought of the things he could do, the events he could control, the magic he could create. And he smiled.
"It will be an interesting year," he whispered to himself.
(January 23, 2004 issue)
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