The sun had just risen over the little farm when clever monkey Zika woke up with a very hungry tummy. The smell of fresh morning air made him think about breakfast, but everyone else was still busy with their chores. Dad was feeding the ducks, and Mom was watering the vegetable garden.
As Zika wandered around the yard, he heard the chickens clucking inside the coop. Curious, he peeked inside and saw several fresh eggs neatly resting in the nests. His eyes sparkled with excitement.
“These eggs would make the perfect breakfast!” Zika whispered with a mischievous grin.
Without telling anyone, he quietly tiptoed into the coop. He carefully picked up the eggs one by one and placed them into a small basket. The hens clucked loudly as if they were protesting, but Zika smiled, thanked them softly, and hurried away before anyone could notice.
Back in the outdoor kitchen, Zika gathered tomatoes, spring onions, and a few fresh herbs from the family garden. Remembering how Dad always cooked breakfast, he carefully cracked the eggs into a bowl, whisked them together, and poured the mixture into a warm frying pan. Soon, the delicious aroma of scrambled eggs filled the entire yard.
Just as Zika proudly placed the meal on the table, Dad walked over with a surprised look on his face.
“Wow, that smells wonderful,” Dad said with a smile. “But where did you get the eggs?”
Zika froze for a moment. He looked down at the empty basket and realized he couldn’t hide the truth. With a shy smile, he admitted that he had taken the eggs from the chicken coop without asking because he was too excited to make breakfast.
Instead of becoming angry, Dad gently explained that the eggs belonged to the family and should always be collected together or with permission. “Being clever is a wonderful gift,” Dad said, “but true wisdom also means being honest and respectful.”
Zika nodded and sincerely apologized. To make things right, he helped Dad clean the chicken coop, refill the hens’ food and water, and collect the remaining eggs properly. The hens seemed much happier after receiving their morning treats.
When the chores were finished, Dad and Zika cooked another delicious breakfast together. This time, every egg had been gathered the right way, and the meal tasted even better because it was shared with love and teamwork.
From that day forward, Zika remembered that intelligence isn’t about sneaking or taking shortcuts. The smartest choice is always to ask first, act responsibly, and care for those who help provide for the family—including the hardworking chickens that laid the eggs.
