Monkeys in the Garden

[Abhidevananda]

A tribe of monkeys lived in the King's garden. One day, there was a
festival in the city. The gardener wanted to participate, but first he
had to transfer his duties for the day.

Approaching the monkey chief, the gardener said: "Today there is a
festival in town, and I am going. Can you take responsibility to water
the young trees while I am away?"

The chief monkey replied: "Certainly, we can do that. We are very
fortunate to live in the King's garden, and we are eager to show our
appreciation."

So, depositing the watering pots and some buckets of water with the
monkey chief, the gardener departed.

The monkey chief called all his tribe together and distributed the
watering pots among them with the instruction to water the young trees.
Then he cautioned his subjects: "Mind you, do not waste the water. When
it is gone, we may not get more. Before watering a tree, first pull it
up and examine the size of its roots. Give much water to those trees
whose roots go deep, but only a little water to those with tiny roots."

A wise man passed by and saw the havoc the monkeys were wreaking in the
King's garden. He asked the monkeys why they pulled up tree after tree
and then gave them water according to the size of their roots. The
monkeys' reply: "That is the command of our chief."