Speedy and Greedy

The Friends

In the forest of a faraway land, there lived a monkey named Greedy and a rabbit named Speedy, who were good friends. One day, while they played by a road that passed through the forest, a man came along carrying some bananas and sugarcane.

The Plan

“If you were to sit quietly in the middle of the road as if you were hurt,” said Greedy to Speedy, “the man would put down his load and try to catch you. As he gets close, you can run away, and he will follow you. As soon as the two of you are out of sight, I will take the bananas and sugarcane to a hiding place. Then, when the man has gone, you can return, and we shall have a great feast.”

The Deception

The rabbit followed the monkey’s plan, and the man put down his load to chase after the rabbit. Speedy led the man into the forest before racing into a hole and disappearing. Meanwhile, Greedy carried off the bananas and sugarcane to the top of a nearby tree.

The Consequences

When the man returned and discovered that his load had vanished, he cursed both the rabbit and himself before continuing on his way. A little while later, Speedy returned and began to look for his friend Greedy.

The Discovery

After a long search, he saw a pile of banana skins under a tree, and there perched on the top branch was Greedy, eating the last banana.

“Where is my share of the food?” asked Speedy.

“You were gone so long,” replied Greedy, “and my hunger was so great that I could not wait. I ate up all the food.”

“How could you eat it all in such a short time?” asked Speedy.

“If you do not believe me, come up here and see for yourself,” Greedy replied from the treetop.

The Trick

Greedy then pulled Speedy up into the tree by his long ears and said, “Look, no more food,” before scampering away. Poor Speedy, afraid to move for fear of falling, rubbed his skin against the tree.

The Rhinoceros

“Dear rhinoceros,” pleaded Speedy, “you are famed for your strength and generosity. Please let me jump down onto your back so that I may get down from this tree.” The rhinoceros, being flattered, grunted, “Yes.”

Speedy quickly tumbled off the tree and landed on the rhino’s back with such force that the old rhinoceros fell and broke his neck, dying instantly.

The Escape

Frightened, Speedy ran away as fast as he could and did not stop until he reached the king’s palace, where he hid under the golden throne. Below, the king, his courtiers, and the royal guards entered the golden throne room, swords rattling and silk robes swishing as the king sat down. Poor Speedy, so excited that he sneezed.

The King’s Wrath

“Who dares to sneeze in my presence?” demanded the king. All the royal guards looked around, alarmed.

“How dare you sneeze under my throne?” the king boomed, and before Speedy could answer, the king roared the order, “Off with his head!”

Shivering with fright, Speedy bravely pleaded, “If Your Majesty will spare my life, I will lead your men to a large rhinoceros whose great horn, ground into a fine powder, will make wonderful medicine.”

The Deal

“How can you, a small rabbit, lead my men to a rhinoceros?” asked the king.

“If I fail to do this, you will lose nothing except having to take my head off a little later,” replied Speedy, who was feeling quite brave.

Finally, the king consented, and Speedy and the royal guards set off into the forest. Soon they found the rhinoceros beneath the tree, and all the royal guards were amazed to discover such a large animal with a huge horn, dead.

The Reward

When Speedy and the royal guards returned to the palace with the rhino’s horn, the king was very pleased indeed and said, “I must reward Speedy for sneezing.” A royal robe and a fine silk horse were presented to him.

Wishing everyone goodbye, Speedy rode off into the forest. Before long, he came upon Greedy sitting on the grass.

Greedy’s Desire

“Where did you get that fine robe and horse?” asked Greedy.

“The king gave them to me,” replied Speedy, feeling very grand and important.

“And why did the king give them to you?” asked Greedy, looking puzzled.

“It was because I sneezed under the golden throne,” answered Speedy.

The Greed That Led to Ruin

Greedy, not stopping to ask any more questions, rushed as fast as he could to the palace, thinking, “If a foolish rabbit can receive a silk robe and a fine horse for sneezing under the king’s throne, surely an intelligent monkey such as myself will be doubly rewarded.”

The Return to the Throne Room

Once at the royal palace, Greedy crept into the golden throne room and hid under the throne. He had not been there long when the king, his courtiers, and the royal guard arrived. Swords rattled and silk robes swished as the king sat on the throne. Then, Greedy sneezed as long and loud as he could.

The King’s Punishment

All the courtiers and royal guards looked at each other, terrified.

“Who dares to sneeze in my presence?” demanded the king in a rage.

Hearing this, Greedy sneezed even longer and louder. This time everyone knew where the sneeze came from, and the royal guards rushed forward to drag Greedy from under the golden throne.

Feeling pleased with himself, Greedy only then realized the consequences as the king roared, “Why did you sneeze under my golden throne?”

“I did it for a royal robe and a fine horse,” replied Greedy.

“Indeed?” thundered the king. “Well, instead of a silk robe and a fine horse, you will find yourself locked up for the rest of your life.”

The Fate of Greedy

At that moment, the royal guards chained Greedy’s hands and feet, leading him away—for being greedy.