The monkeys took care to pick every mango that grew on the branches overhanging the river, but one day they happened to miss one piece of fruit hidden behind a bird's nest.

That hidden mango ripened, its stalk grew heavy, and it dropped into the river and floated downstream.

A group of women bathing in the river suddenly smelled a most enchanting scent, and discovered the floating fruit. They longed to taste it but knew they must take this discovery to their king.

The king too was curious. He wanted to taste the fruit, but first he called his physician to examine it. When the doctor announced the mango fit to eat, the king commanded his servants to taste it first. Unlike the Monkey King, this king worried first about himself.

When at last the servants had proven the mango to be safe, the king took a bite.

"That is the best thing I have ever tasted," the king said. "We must find the source of this delicacy."

And so the king led his army to search for more mangoes.

As the army moved upriver, they entered the forest, where they had never traveled. Here they discovered astonishing beauty; they saw herds of roaming elephants and gentle deer living in peace.

When the expedition suddenly smelled that glorious scent, they knew the mango trees were near.

"Look," they cried, staring up into the fruit-filled trees. And they spotted hundreds of monkeys.

And those monkeys were eating mangos.

"They're stealing my fruit," the king cried. "Destroy them!"

Many of the king's men carried bows, and onto these they nocked their arrows. Others picked up stones and sticks to hurl.

The monkeys shrieked in terror. "What shall we do?" they cried, looking up at their leader.

Quickly, the Monkey King clambered to the top of the tallest tree, and looked toward the rocky cliff across the river.

No monkey could jump the entire width of the river, or so it seemed. But the Monkey King leaped, and in a single bound he made the astonishing crossing. Poised atop the cliff, he looked around and discovered a deeply rooted vine. He fastened one end of that vine to his leg, and leaped back toward the forest. But as he clutched a branch, he found that the vine was not long enough to tie to the tree. His leg held by the vine, now his body created a bridge between forest and mountain. The Monkey King gave his tribe a sign, instructing them to cross the bridge made by his body.

The terrified monkeys raced across their king's body.

Despite the many feet treading upon his body, the Monkey King held fast. His body grew weak and bruised and battered, but he held firm, and one by one the monkeys dashed to safety.

The human king stared. "How can he offer so much?" he asked aloud, and when the last of the monkeys had crossed, the king ordered his men to create a canopy of leaves beneath the Monkey King. "Now," the king commanded, "shoot the vine that holds his foot."

The men did as ordered, and the Monkey King fell into the bed of leaves, unconscious and near death.

"Carry him to the palace," the human king commanded.

The Monkey King woke after many days, and saw the human king, who had waited patiently.

"How could you give so much?" he asked the Monkey King.

The Monkey King smiled. "I am bound by affection for my tribe," he said. "Living together has only strengthened our bond."

Still the king was puzzled. "Isn't it their responsibility to serve their king?" he asked. "Not the other way around?"

The Monkey King shook his head. "The truth is," he answered, "seeing my loved ones in danger filled me with so much sorrow, I could not think of selfish interests. And seeing them safe and calm fills me with joy and peace, no matter what has happened to my body."