RAMBLINGS OF THE MIND
Why? Why should something like this happen? The whole idea really worked. The only thing that troubled Spikes and his troop was expulsion - when a “single” monkey became too aggressive and attacked a couple, thereby replacing the male partner who would eventually be expelled (voluntarily or otherwise).
While this only happened occasionally, but when it did, it always left an impact on the troop. Such was what happened to Tubby’s eldest son, Dave.
But Dave was not necessarily booted out. Somebody wanted to make it appear like he was, then tried to kill him. Spikes knew it …because the dead monkey was not Dave.
Five weeks later, Haig submitted his report to the body in its general meeting.
“It is with heavy heart that I present to this body the result of our investigation,” Haig started what could only be a long boring discourse.
"Oh please. Wake me up when he’s done,” one of the leaders whispered.
After almost an hour the facts and evidences were presented. It was an open and shut case. Dave committed suicide because he was booted out.
Then, Haig continued with his ever repeating arguments against monogamy and the danger of expulsion, and now depression and suicide.
TEN YEARS LATER
For the next 10 years, Spikes and his troop continued to grow and had shown to the other troops that indeed the practice of monogamy was not only good but also beneficial to the couple and to the troop.
There were intermarriages among the troops, and Tubby declared that if the female capuchin monkey decided to take a partner from Spikes’ troop, no male monkey was allowed to mate with her, otherwise the male monkey will be punished by expulsion from the park, and be sent to the zoo. This was also true to the male monkey who would take a partner from Spikes’ troop. He will not be allowed to mate with any other female in any troop.
But on that particular evening, Spikes’ mind was not on the issue. He was busy trying to calm down Leo, his grandson, who will meet his girlfriend’s family tonight.
"Don’t worry, kid. Your parents will be with you. If you are not sure about something, ask your dad, he is very smart.” Spikes was referring to Ramonito who was the partner of Spikes’s most beautiful daughter, Gwen.
“What’s your girlfriend’s name again, Lovely?” Spikes asked.
“No, grandpa, it’s Lovelyn. With an N at the end,” Leo explained.
“Ah, lovely Lovelyn without end.” They both laughed.
“And I am sure she is as beautiful as your mother.” Spikes nudged his grandson.