ood-natured for
nothing, but he felt quite able to take care of himself, so he said he
should have much pleasure in accompanying his friend.

They soon reached the same river, and, as before, the puma remarked:
'Friend monkey, you will find it very shallow; there is no cause for
fear. Jump in, and I will follow.'

'Do you think you have the stag to deal with?' asked the monkey,
laughing. 'I should prefer to follow; if not I shall go no further.'
The puma understood that it was useless trying to make the monkey do
as he wished, so he chose a shallow place and began to swim across.
The monkey waited till the puma had got to the middle, then he gave a
great spring and jumped on his back, knowing quite well that the puma
would be afraid to shake him off, lest he should be swept away into
deep water. So in this manner they reached the bank.

The banana grove was not far distant, and here the puma thought he
would pay the monkey out for forcing him to carry him over the river.
'Friend monkey, look what fine bananas,' cried he. 'You are fond of
climbing; suppose you run up and throw me down a few. You can eat the
green ones, which are the nicest, and I will be content with the
yellow.'

'Very well,' answered the monkey, swinging himself up; but he ate all
the yellow ones himself, and only threw down the green ones that were
left. The puma was furious and cried out: 'I will punch your head for
that.' But the monkey only answered: 'If you are going to talk such
nonsense I won't walk with you.' And the puma was silent.

In a few minutes more they arrived at the field where the men were
reaping the maize, and the puma remarked as he had done before:
'Friend monkey, if you wish to please these men, just say as you go
by: "Bad luck to all workers."'

'Very well,' replied the monkey; but, instead, he nodded and smiled,
and said: 'I hope your industry may be rewarded as it deserves.' The
men thanked him heartily, let him pass on, and the puma followed
behind him.

Further along the path they saw the shining snake lying on the moss.
'What a lovely necklace for your daughter,' exclaimed the puma. 'Pick
it up and take it with you.'

'You are very kind, but I will leave it for you,' answered the monkey,
and nothing more was said about the snake.

Not long after this they reached the comrade's house, and found him
just ready to go to bed. So, without stopping to talk, the guests
slung their hammocks, the monkey taking care to p