In a lively little village nestled between green hills and flowing streams, there lived a monkey unlike any other. He was famous not only for his mischievous tricks but also for his endless curiosity about everything humans did. The villagers simply called him Haha Monkey because of the laughter that always followed him wherever he went.
But there was one thing Haha Monkey wanted more than anything: a taste of the mysterious liquid that humans kept in jars, bottles, and cups.
The villagers drank water, tea, and sometimes rice wine at festivals. To the monkey, it all looked delicious. He would tilt his head, smack his lips, and try to sneak closer whenever he saw people sipping from cups. But the villagers always wagged their fingers and said firmly:
“Not allowed to drink, Haha Monkey!”
First Encounter with the Forbidden Drink
One summer afternoon, the blacksmith was drinking a bowl of rice wine to celebrate finishing a large order of tools. He sat beneath the banyan tree, humming a tune. Haha Monkey crept down from the branches above, eyes wide, nose twitching at the sharp, sweet smell.
In a flash, he darted forward, grabbed the bowl, and lifted it high as though he were a human himself. The villagers gasped.
Before he could tip the drink into his mouth, the blacksmith shouted, “No, Haha Monkey! Not allowed to drink!” He snatched the bowl back just in time. The monkey screeched in protest, crossing his arms like a sulking child.
The people laughed. “Silly monkey! You don’t know what this is. It’s not for you.”
From that day, every time the monkey reached for a drink, the villagers would chorus: “Not allowed to drink, Haha Monkey!”
Tricks to Steal a Sip
But Haha Monkey wasn’t the kind to give up easily. His curiosity burned brighter with every scolding.
One evening, a group of farmers gathered by the river with jars of rice wine, celebrating a successful harvest. They sang songs and passed the jars around. Haha Monkey watched from the shadows, plotting.
He waited until the men were laughing so hard they had their eyes closed. With the speed of a thief, he leapt into the circle, grabbed a jar, and tried to run. But the jar was too heavy. He stumbled, rolled, and the wine splashed all over his fur.
The farmers roared with laughter. The monkey sat in the mud, dripping wet, licking at his arms to taste the spilled drink. But all he got was bitterness and dirt.
“Not allowed to drink, Haha Monkey!” the farmers teased. “See? It’s not good for you.”
The monkey glared, his pride wounded, but deep inside, he was even more determined.
The Festival Disaster
The biggest test came during the Spring Festival, when the whole village gathered to eat, sing, and drink. Huge barrels of rice wine were lined up, and the sweet aroma filled the air. For Haha Monkey, it was like a dream come true.
While the villagers danced, the monkey slipped into the celebration, blending in with the children. He grabbed a small cup left unattended on a table and, before anyone noticed, took a giant gulp.
The taste hit him like lightning. His eyes widened, his face scrunched, and he let out a screech louder than a rooster’s crow. The crowd turned in shock.
“HAHAHAHA!” the villagers burst out laughing as the monkey stumbled, hiccuping and waving his arms. He tried to swing from a lantern but missed, crashing into a basket of dumplings. He rolled across the ground, hiccuping again and again.
The elders rushed forward, shooing him away. “Not allowed to drink, Haha Monkey! Look what trouble you cause after just one sip!”
From that day, the rule became stricter. Villagers guarded their cups more carefully, and whenever the monkey got too close, they wagged their fingers.
The Lesson of the Wise Elder
One night, as the monkey sulked on the temple roof, the village elder came out with a lantern. The old man had watched Haha Monkey grow up among the people and understood his mischievous heart.
“Little one,” he said gently, “you always want what you cannot have. But not everything humans drink is meant for monkeys. Wine makes you dizzy. Tea is too hot. Even milk might upset your belly. You have your own treasures—fresh fruits, cool spring water, sweet sugarcane. Those are gifts for you.”
The monkey tilted his head, listening. He didn’t understand every word, but he understood the kindness. The elder set down a bowl of fresh mango slices and a cup of clear water.
“Not allowed to drink, Haha Monkey,” the elder said with a smile, “but you are allowed to feast on these.”
The monkey eagerly devoured the fruit, slurping the water with delight. His hiccups faded, and his eyes shone again.
Monkey Turns the Tables
After that, Haha Monkey found a new game. Instead of trying to steal human drinks, he began guarding them!
Whenever someone set down a cup carelessly, the monkey would snatch it up—not to drink, but to hold it above his head, screeching and running around until the owner chased him. Then, with a triumphant laugh, he’d set it back safely on the table, as if to say: “See? I didn’t drink it!”
The villagers laughed so hard their bellies ached. “Not allowed to drink, Haha Monkey!” they shouted. “But thank you for keeping it safe!”
He had turned his weakness into a trick, and soon, he was not only the mischievous monkey but also the protector of drinks.
The Legend Spreads
Years passed, and the story of Haha Monkey spread beyond the village. Travelers carried tales of the cheeky animal who always tried to sip human drinks but was scolded with the same phrase.
Children in neighboring towns began to chant it in their games:
“Not allowed to drink, Haha Monkey!”
The phrase became a proverb, used whenever someone reached for something they shouldn’t have—whether it was a child sneaking candy before dinner or a farmer thinking of eating grain meant for planting. It was both a joke and a lesson.
Final Mischief
One last tale is still told. On the elder’s hundredth birthday, the villagers gathered with music, food, and of course, plenty of drink. They left a special seat for Haha Monkey, who had become part of their community.
When no one was looking, the monkey climbed onto the elder’s lap, holding out a tiny cup as if to say: “Just once, old friend?”
The elder chuckled, patted his head, and said, “Not allowed to drink, Haha Monkey. But you may share this fruit with me.”
Together, they split a ripe peach under the lantern light. The monkey licked the juice from his fingers, grinning wide. He didn’t need wine anymore—he had laughter, love, and plenty of sweet things to enjoy.
Reflection
The tale of Haha Monkey reminds us that curiosity is natural, but not every desire should be chased. Some things are forbidden for a reason—not to punish us, but to protect us.
The villagers loved Haha Monkey not because he obeyed all the rules, but because his mischief brought them joy and taught them lessons in unexpected ways.
So the next time someone reaches for what isn’t theirs, you may hear the old phrase echoing like laughter across the hills:
“Not allowed to drink, Haha Monkey!”
And surely, somewhere in the treetops, a mischievous little spirit is still watching, still giggling, and still trying to sneak one last sip.
