Under the Mango Tree: The Lonely Life of Kikoy the Monkey

Every day, as the sun rises over our quiet neighborhood, Kikoy, the monkey next door, waits for our door to open. He patiently waits for me or for my husband to open the door and bring him some banana or watermelon or bread, or anything we have for breakfast. And he will then jump for joy, sir down and eat.

He is inside a screened box, enough for him to stretch, elevated off the ground, and is beneath a mango tree. Kikoy the monkey is not ours. He is a pet of our neighbor, but then his cage is right next to our front yard. So every time we open our door, Kikoy is the first to greet us with his loud chattering.

When the rain pours, Kikoy doesn't run - he can't. Instead, he picks up his metal plate intended for his food and slowly places it over his head, trying to shield his head from the cold drops. His cage has a roof, but those are just pieces of rusty iron sheets that drip when it pours. He also does the same when the night comes. A heartbreaking scene.

I remember the first time I saw him. He was small, alert, and clinging to the metal screen with curious eyes. A child passing by smiled and was delighted at the sight of a "pet monkey". But even then, something felt not right. A monkey is not meant to live this way. He should be in the jungle, clinging, jumping, and playing with his monkey friends.

Over time, he became less playful, sat in the corner and panting, and looked far. His eyes are sad. I often wonder if Kikoy still remembers the forest. Or was he taken too young to know what freedom feels like?

Kikoy the Monkey's story is the same of other animals taken from their natural homes and placed in an environment that strips them of dignity, joy, and freedom. People have good intentions for these animals, but good intentions don't always bear good outcomes, especially when we treat wild animals as pets or novelties.

Monkeys are sociable and intelligent creatures. They need interaction, stimulation, and space, just like humans do. Being denied, these may lead to suffering physically and psychologically.

When we take animals like Kikoy from the wild or raise them in cages without giving them their specific needs, we do more harm than we realize. These poor conditions will lead to depression, stress, and behavioral disorders, just the same as we do.

I've been thinking about a lot of Kikoy lately. I wonder what I could do to help him aside from giving him food and water when I am home. His owners are usually left home to work without giving him enough food for the whole day. I can only count on my fingers when I saw his owners give food to him.

If you were me, what would you do about Kikoy the Monkey? My heart breaks every time I see him like this. I will be glad to read your opinions below.

If you are still with me, up to this point, Thank you very much!

This is @jeanieviv84 saying, Have a great day! and God bless you!