Shonty's Day Out (short story)

Another day had begun. It was only ten in the human clock, but all the permanent residents of Mangalore Zoo were already exhausted because of the unbearable summer’s heat. Shonty, the monkey was feeling very hot.

“Whew….hmph…”, he said to himself, wiping the stream of sweat streaming down his brow.

Some ill-mannered human children were throwing banana peels at him through the bars. But these things weren’t bothering him today. What he really wanted was something soft and creamy and delicious, something that would sooth his burning throat….the funny looking thing that humans called ‘ice-cream’…

Last summer, a naughty boy had thrown his half eaten ice-cream at him…he had reluctantly tasted it because he had nothing better to do…and voila, he instantly fell in love with the funny taste. He had been craving for more ever since.

But the caretaker of the monkeys, a young lad named Chandu was at his wit’s end trying to understand what Shonty was asking for. For ten whole minute, he jumped in front of Chandu, violently rubbing his chest and licking his hands like a dog. Chandu thought he was probably suffering from over-exhaustation and offered him nuts…eew…if there was one thing he hated, it had to be nuts.

Shonty’s new room-mate, Riggo was swinging on the branches, entertaining the crowds. Riggo seemed to be enjoying the attention.

“Silly fellow”, thought Shonty, ”in a few days, he will also get bored of this stardom”.

Shonty had stayed in the bars long enough to know the pro and cons of zoo life. Yes, food, shelter, security etc. were provided….but the basic need…’freedom’ was taken away. Most animals had become sick of being the centre of attraction all the time. Everyone expected maximum entertainment from them at all hours of the day. Shonty did not bother to entertain the visitors……..after all, he would get his meals anyways, regardless of whether he performed his tricks or not.

Riggo had come just a month back; he used to be in the circus earlier. He still hadn’t got used to the new environment. Poor chap.

The Mangalore zoo had been Shonty’s home for as long as he could remember. His mother, Chakki, had died within few months of his birth. He had understood the mortality of animals at a very young age and this realization had made him very stern and indifferent towards others. Concepts of love, passion and friendship were meaningless to him. So even when all the other male monkeys drooled over the pretty and charming female monkey, Hoomie, who lived in the opposite cage, Shonty was satisfied with his daily meals and male companionship. Shonty was a confirmed bachelor.

Today, he felt like breaking the strong iron bars and running away to some place which would be cooler. Summers were the only time of the year when he pitied himself.

And what luck! Chandu the caretaker had accidentally left the beck door open as he rushed out quickly to bathe the elephants. Shonty saw the perfect opportunity. He slowly sneaked out of the door, making sure that none of the monkeys realized. He saw a boy eating orange ice-cream. He took giant leaps and reached the boy, then suddenly descended on him and snatched the ice-cream. The little boy let out a shriek full of terror.

“What is there to be scared of now?” thought Shonty,”just a few minutes ago you were teasing me though the cage…”.Humans are the funniest animals, he decided.

Shonty finished the ice-cream in seconds, and then continued his quest for more. He had one ice-cream after another….until his belly resembled a miniature pot. Only then was he content. He quietly sneaked back into the cage. This zoo was his only home…he could not even think of living elsewhere.

Later in the evening, Chandu came again to clean the cages. Realizing his mistakes of leaving the door open, he shot a nervous glance at the monkeys…

“One, two, three…..five……phew…..all are there……god saved me today”, he counted aloud. “Extra nuts for you all”, he declared. He patted Shonty and whispered softly, “Good boy.”