The Magic Bell
Robi, the Good Little Monkey
Once upon a time, deep in the forest, there lived a little monkey named Robi. Robi always helped the other animals.
He helped the elephant pick fresh fruit. He looked after the baby deer when their mother was away, and he helped the rabbit cross the river.
Robi's Home and His Music
Robi's home was a big, sturdy tree right in the middle of the forest.
All the animals knew that if Robi was nowhere to be found, he was in his tree, playing his flute. Robi did that too. He played harmonious melodies on his flute.
— There you are, Robi! The tortoise was looking for you. She needed your help with the fence. — The fence? — Well, she couldn't wait for me to finish the sentence, but I think she meant the garden? — Oh, yes! She told me about that yesterday. Let's go! — Tell me something. Why do you always play your flute in this spot? — I don't know. I like this tree. And maybe you think I'm crazy, but I believe this tree listens to my melodies. — Ah! You're right. — What? You feel it too? — No, you're right. I think you're crazy! Ha ha ha!
The Tree's Secret
But Robi was right. The tree really did listen to his music.
This was a secret that even Robi didn't know. The music had touched the tree's spirit. It listened to the melodies carefully and rejoiced that Robi sang every day.
One day, while Robi was sleeping in the tree, a terrible noise was heard below.
— Ah! What's that? — Ah! Earthquake! Earthquake! — Who is this man? — Whew! This is going to take me a while.
Robi quickly understood what was happening and swiftly jumped out of the tree.
— Hey! What are you doing here? Why are you cutting down this tree? — My master wants the wood for a boat. This tree has tough bark. — No! You can't cut it down! — Seriously? And why not, pray tell? Listen. I've spent many days trying to find good wood for a boat. And this tree isn't yours. Don't waste my time.
Robi Scares the Woodcutter
Robi was a clever little monkey. He decided to scare the man away.
— Ah! I tried to stop you. But you will meet your destiny, I suppose. — What's that supposed to mean? — Don't you know? The spirit of an old man lives in this tree. He's been here for years. If you cut down this tree, where will he go? He'll lock himself inside you, of course. — Lock himself inside me? — Of course, because you're the one cutting down the tree. — Are you trying to trick me? I'm smarter than you think, little monkey. I won't believe that story. Get out of here!
Robi was desperate to save his home. As soon as the woodcutter got back to work, Robi climbed the tree, right to the very top. He hid in the dense foliage and started to shout.
— Ha! Ha! How dare you touch my home! — What? Who spoke? — Now you're destroying the house. I'm coming to live with you! Ha ha ha! I'll never leave you, man! — The monkey was right! — No worries, man! We'll be good friends! Ha ha ha! — Ho ho ho ho ho! — What's the hurry, friend? What about the boat?
The Tree Comes to Life
Just as Robi was laughing at the woodcutter, the tree came to life.
— Robi! — Ha! You? Are you really the spirit of an old man? And, and all this time I've been sitting and sleeping on the spirit of an old man? Ha ha ha! — No, Robi! I'm not the spirit of an old man. I mean, I am old, but I am the spirit of the tree. Your music brought me to life. You are a clever little monkey, Robi, and I am grateful to you. You saved me from the woodcutter. Here! Accept this as a thank-you gift. — A bell? — It's not just any bell. It's a magic bell! Every time it rings, the sky will magically give you fresh fruit. — Oh, wow! That will help me and all the animals in the forest! — Yes, it will! But remember, Robi! You can only ring the bell once a day. — I'll remember that. Thank you, tree!
The Magic Bell and the Fruit Rain
Robi went to call his friends from the forest.
— Piggy! Fox! Eli! Come here, everyone! — What happened, Robi? I was taking a bath.
Robi told them what had happened. The animals were all in shock. They couldn't believe that the spirit of the tree had come to life.
— You did the right thing, Robi! We're all proud of you! People should think twice before cutting down a tree. — If the forest disappears, there will be no more rain. — True! But I'm interested in the bell. Does it work?
