evolution

The original author of the following poem is unknown to me but I do know three things about it. One – the poem was recited by my oldest sister from memory. Two – this took place at a rural church’s youth function in Itawamba County, Mississippi. And three – the event happened about 60 years ago. ec

Evolution

Three monkeys sat in a coconut tree,
Discussing things as they seem to be.
Said one to the others, now listen you two,
There’s a certain rumor that can’t be true.

That man descended from our noble race.
The very idea is a total disgrace!
No monkey ever deserted his wife,
Starved her babies or ruined her life.

And you’ve never known a mother monk
To leave her babies with others to bunk,
Or pass them around from one to another
Till they scarcely knew who was their mother.

And another thing you will never see,
A monk build a fence around a coconut tree.
And let the coconuts go to waste,
Forbidding all other monks a taste.

Why, if I put a fence around this tree,
Starvation would force you to steal from me.
Here’s another thing a monk won’t do,
Go out at night and get on a stew

Or use a gun or club or knife,
To take some other monkey’s life.
Yes, man descended - that ornery cuss -
But brother, he didn’t descend from us!