I ignored the curses the merchants muttered under their breath as they unloaded their heavy cargo. There was always some fool who left a crate unguarded, and when he did, I would be ready.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when I felt something on my shoulder. I quickly turned, expecting to see the guards ready to arrest me, but to my surprise, it was only a small monkey.
"Where'd you come from?" I asked.
It chattered, as if trying to reply.
Looking around, I saw a cage with a key protruding from the lock. Someone had no doubt brought this monkey from a far off land for the sultan's menagerie, but the clever animal had managed to steal a key and unlock its own cage.
"I could use your expertise," I remarked. "Want to get out of here?"
I expected the monkey to run away, but instead, he perched happily on my shoulder as if I were his beast of burden.
"Now how would you feel if I were to ride on your shoulders?" I asked rhetorically.
It was a ridiculous question, and I knew it. He was too small. Besides, I didn't mind. It was nice to have someone give me the time of day without insulting my poverty.
The monkey chattered and stretched out its paw, which contained a fig.
"Where did you get that?" I wondered aloud. "I didn't even see you steal it."
I broke the fig in half and bit into it. It was perfectly ripe.
"That was kind of you," I remarked. "I've never had a friend who would bring me food before." I sighed. "Actually, I've never had a friend at all."
The monkey chattered. I noticed that he also had a fig for himself.
My mind began to turn. With his help, maybe I could steal food every day. I wouldn't spend any more nights hungry.
Why stop there? Maybe he could steal other things I needed.
Then again, he could steal things I didn't need. I could trade them for food.
Who knew? Maybe someday I could have a real home or go an entire day without being chased by guards.
For now, I had food, so my biggest concern was what I should name monkey.