Gus and Trudy Meet the Monkey

When Gus and Trudy woke up this morning they smelled a peculiar smell. It seemed familiar to Trudy but she couldn't quite place it.

Finally Gus snapped his fingers, "I know it - bananas!"

"Bananas? Why does it smell like bananas?" Trudy was sure Gus was wrong.

They both heard some one or some thing at the same time. Gus and Trudy ran into the kitchen, where the noise came from , and they were amazed!

Standing in front of them was an honest to goodness real live monkey!

"Hi", the monkey said,"Where's Tommy?"

Gus explained that Tommy lived across the street. then he introduced himself and Trudy to the monkey.

"I would love to tell you what my name is," said the monkey," but until Tommy gives me a name you can just call me Monkey."

Monkey went on to explain that the Great Flamingo had sent Florrie and Dorrie to watch over Abby but felt that Tommy needed some looking after also. The Great Flamingo didn't want to send a delicate flamingo to watch over a little boy. the Great Flamingo decided that some one rough and tumble , some one who could be tough and cuddly at the same time needed to go and watch over Tommy.

"So that's how I wound up here. But I must have gotten a little lost in the dark. I hope I didn't scare you," Monkey said as he peeled another banana to eat.

Gus and Trudy told Monkey not to worry. They were just happy that Monkey had come to live on the street. But they didn't understand why Monkey didn't have and why Tommy had to name him.

"Well", said Monkey," The Great Flamingo feels that it is very important for a boy and his Monkey to have a special friendship. The Great Flamingo thinks that if the boy names his Monkey then he will take care not to loose him or get him very dirty."

Gus and Trudy understood . When Abby, Tommy and Dina went shopping, Gus and Trudy walked Monkey over to Tommy's house. They couldn't wait to see what would happen when Tommy came home.

"Be careful Gus", Trudy said, "The last time we were here you left footprints by the flowers and Abby noticed."

Gus and Trudy very carefully left Monkey at Tommy's and went back to their little house in the orderly garden on Bloomfield Avenue.