Raka didn’t laugh much. He didn’t like games. And if a younger monkey played a prank on him, they’d better run fast. So naturally, the troop made a silent agreement: Don’t mess with Raka.
But one day, the younger monkeys had an idea too funny to ignore. It all started when Timo, a clever little troublemaker, found a long piece of thick vine and shaped it into a fake snake. He painted it with mud and berries until it looked just like a jungle viper.
“We should prank Raka with it,” he whispered, giggling.
The others gasped. “He’ll go crazy!”
“Exactly!” Timo grinned.
So the plan was set.
That afternoon, Raka was sunbathing on a flat rock near the river, eyes half closed, enjoying the peace. Meanwhile, the others hid in the bushes nearby, watching and barely holding back their laughter.
Quietly, Timo crept out and placed the fake snake behind Raka’s tail.
Then he yelled, “Snake! Snake behind you!”
Raka jumped like he’d been struck by lightning. He turned sharply, saw the “snake,” and leapt into the air, letting out a loud bark that echoed through the trees. He grabbed a stick and smacked the ground near it, roaring in fury.
The troop watching from the bushes burst out laughing. Some fell from the branches, others rolled on the forest floor, squealing with joy.
Raka paused, panting, and looked again. The “snake” hadn’t moved. He frowned and prodded it with the stick. No response. Then he looked up and saw everyone laughing—including even the shyest monkeys.
It took a moment… but then something shocking happened.
Raka smiled.
He looked around, shook his head, and—believe it or not—started laughing too. A deep, rumbling laugh that none of them had ever heard before. He picked up the fake snake, twirled it around, and threw it gently toward the young ones.
“You little pests,” he said, chuckling. “You got me good.”
The monkeys roared with delight. The jungle rang with laughter. It wasn’t just a prank—it had made the king monkey laugh for the first time anyone could remember.
From that day on, Raka was still the leader, still powerful and respected—but now a little more playful. The troop had learned something important: even the biggest and toughest monkey can enjoy a good joke… especially when it comes with laughter shared by all.
And the fake snake? It became a toy passed around the jungle. Whoever held it had to pull a new prank. But no one ever topped the day they tricked the King.
