Friendly Negotiations

Friendly Negotiations

Xu Huo followed behind them.

These white monkeys had a set route. After weaving back and forth among the trees a few times, they entered a giant flower patch. They covered their heads with the little buckets and crossed the ground, then bounced up a small hill.

Behind the hill was a deep river about ten meters wide. A few monkeys climbed onto the low trees by the riverbank, pulled down the vines wrapped around them, and tied them to the buckets. Then they tossed the buckets into the river. Before long, thumping sounds came from underwater. The monkeys immediately hauled up the vines, and two of the buckets had several black fish trapped inside, each about two fingers wide with pointed snouts.

The little monkeys cheered. The ones with fish tossed them to their companions, and the others crouched on the branches, happily waving the black fish around. Then, baring two neat rows of sharp white teeth, they ate the fish, meat and bones alike.

What a ceremonious meal.

They fished up ahead while Xu Huo watched from behind. But the fishing didn't always go smoothly. After a crocodile bit through one monkey's bucket and spat it back onto the bank, several monkeys gathered at the water's edge, jumping and shouting. Judging by their movements and expressions, they were probably cursing up a storm, though the crocodile in the water couldn't understand them.

After jumping around for a while, the monkeys huddled together and whispered. Then they squatted in a group by the riverbank. One monkey pretended to drink water while the others waited, holding loops of vine.

The crocodile that had been lingering nearby quickly came after its prey. But it was no match for the white monkeys' speed. As it opened its jaws out of