CAPTIVITY
“So you want to trap monkeys?” said the African guide. That’s no problem! We can use traps, snares, nets…”
“That’s just the problem my friend,” smiled the distinguished professor who was leading an expedition of scientists to the African Continent. “We want to trap the monkeys – but trap them alive, without any injury, so that they may be transported back to our country, safe and sound, unharmed in any way!”
The members of the expedition grew thoughtful. Conventional snares and traps, they knew, were often crude and would result in permanent injuries to the trapped animals. Their idea was not to hurt the monkeys, but study their habits from close quarters. They put their heads together to overcome the problem.
At last, they found a solution. They devised small jars with long narrow necks. Into each jar they placed a handful of peanuts. A number of these jars were placed strategically in different parts of the jungle frequented by these monkeys.
Having scented the peanuts, the monkeys caught hold of the jars and thrust their paws into the long, narrow necks to get at the food. This was done in no time! But when they tried to withdraw their paws, it was a different story altogether. Howsoever hard they tried; they could not get them out of the long, narrow necks. So monkeys stayed there, screaming, unable to escape with their booty and unable to leave it behind – until they were all caught, one by one.
We too are trapped by trifles – things that tie us down, hold us captive – unwilling to let go!
“So you want to trap monkeys?” said the African guide. That’s no problem! We can use traps, snares, nets…”
“That’s just the problem my friend,” smiled the distinguished professor who was leading an expedition of scientists to the African Continent. “We want to trap the monkeys – but trap them alive, without any injury, so that they may be transported back to our country, safe and sound, unharmed in any way!”
The members of the expedition grew thoughtful. Conventional snares and traps, they knew, were often crude and would result in permanent injuries to the trapped animals. Their idea was not to hurt the monkeys, but study their habits from close quarters. They put their heads together to overcome the problem.
At last, they found a solution. They devised small jars with long narrow necks. Into each jar they placed a handful of peanuts. A number of these jars were placed strategically in different parts of the jungle frequented by these monkeys.
Having scented the peanuts, the monkeys caught hold of the jars and thrust their paws into the long, narrow necks to get at the food. This was done in no time! But when they tried to withdraw their paws, it was a different story altogether. Howsoever hard they tried; they could not get them out of the long, narrow necks. So monkeys stayed there, screaming, unable to escape with their booty and unable to leave it behind – until they were all caught, one by one.
We too are trapped by trifles – things that tie us down, hold us captive – unwilling to let go!
