The Spunky Monkeys

“ Ouch!” Monka screamed. “ That’s the fifth time I’ve pricked my finger and I’ve only strung four pieces of popcorn!” She was stringing popcorn for the Christmas tree.

“ Why don’t you use a thimble?” Makita suggested, cutting a star out of foil.

“I am using a thimble, Monka replied. “ I just pushed so hard on the needle that it went right through the thimble!”

Nakita had come over to make Christmas decorations for his house. “Uh, Monka, maybe you shouldn’t string popcorn or you will be full of holes by the time you’ve strung enough popcorn to wrap the tree,” he said. “Maybe when Monkey returns, he will have some garland that we can put on the tree instead.” Monkey had gone to the island where Pugsly lived to buy some things and see if Johnny had sent anything yet. He also was sending an invitation to Johnny, asking him if he could come over for Christmas.

“I think I will be fine,” Monka answered. “I just need to take a break.” She walked over to the window and looked outside. Snowflakes were silently drifting from the puffy white clouds as they scudded across the blue sky. Monka watched as the snowflakes gathered on the windowsill. They tumbled over each other as if they were trying to get warm. Monka turned from the window. “By the time Monkey returns we should have enough snow to build a snow monkey,” she told the two little monkeys.

“That’s great!” Makita exclaimed. “This will be our first white Christmas.” He held his star up for Monka to see. “ How does it look?” It shimmered and shone in the dancing firelight.

“It’s beautiful!” Monka exclaimed, grabbing an ax. “I just realized that we don’t have enough firewood. I need to go cut some. I’ll be back soon and then I’ll make dinner.” As she opened the door a gust of cold wind blew in. Monka took her hat off the hook and shoved it down over her ears. She shut the door with a firm tug and was on her way.

Monka returned a half hour later with her arms full of fire wood. It was so cold that her fingers felt like ice cubes. She fumbled for the doorknob, but her fingers wouldn’t grasp it. Finally, Nakita realized that she was trying to get in. He opened the door and Monka entered with the fire wood. She staggered over to the fireplace and dumped the logs into the fire.

“You can sit down and warm up and I’ll get the food out,” Makita told her. “What would you like?”

“How about tomato sauce and vegetables? I can make some nice hot soup,” she answered. “Ouch!” she screamed for the second time that day.