Jellyfish. They want your heart for the queen. In a few days they’ll come and kill you and give her your heart to eat.
Monkey. Oh, dear me! Give my heart to the queen to eat? Why, Jellyfish, do you know what you are talking about? What wrong have I done that I should be killed?
Jellyfish. Oh, you’ve done no wrong. But our dear queen is very ill, and your heart is the only thing that will cure her. We cannot get your heart unless we kill you; so try and be brave about it.
[Jellyfish swims off.]
Monkey. [To himself.] I shall not give my heart to the queen. I must get away from here somehow. But how? I do not know the way. Only the turtle could take me back, and he won’t. What can I do? Here comes the turtle now.
Turtle. You look sad, Monkey. What is the matter?
Monkey. Dear me, Turtle, I was just thinking of something I have left at home that I need very much.
Turtle. Indeed! What is it, dear Monkey?
Monkey. It’s my heart, Turtle. Just before I left home I hung it out on a bush to dry. If the rain comes, it will be spoiled.
Turtle. What is this you tell me?