Written by Sharri McGarry, read by Alison Steadman.
4. The Monkey as King
Synopsis
There is a great competition among the animals to be named 'King of the Beasts'. Each animal gets a chance to explain why they should be King. Fox says that he should be King because he is clever enough to know how to avoid traps laid by Man, but his speech is boring. Monkey is chosen, because he dances around and makes funny faces. Fox does not like it that the silly Monkey has been chosen as King ahead of him, so plays a trick. He takes Monkey into the forest, saying that he wants to show him a present fit for a king. Fox shows Monkey a beautiful, ripe banana on the forest floor, and when Monkey runs to pick it up, he falls into a trap. Fox can help Monkey escape from the trap, but will only do so if the Monkey agrees not to be King. The other animals agree that the King of Beasts should be clever enough not to fall into traps.
More from this series
3. The Fox and the Crow. audio
Written by Rob John, read by Jonathan Pryce.
5. The bundle of sticks. audio
Written by Sharri McGarry, read by Brenda Blethyn.
6. The Gnat and the Lion. audio
Written by Jan Payne, read by Richard E Grant
