The Gorilla and the 4 baskets- Teamwork overtakes stubbornness

Out in the rain forest, there lived a very arrogant gorilla named Samuel. Samuel was a gorilla who would brag everyday to the other animals about how strong, wonderful and extraordinary he was. He would beat other animals in the Sport Ceremonies and make fun of the losers.

One day he was looking at himself through the reflection of the river and flexing his arms when he heard a sound. It was Oliver the Spectacled Owl flapping his wings and landing on the arm of a tree. “My dear boy, your heart is as cold as ice. You think that you are better than everyone else and can do anything, am I right?” questioned the owl.

The gorilla had no reply. “You might have been able to beat Oscar the Leopard in the 800 meter race, but it is impossible for  you to carry four baskets of ripe and right raspberries and walk around the forest all by yourself.” Oliver mentioned.

This angered Samuel. “Of course I could do that! I can do this in two seconds! I could do anything! I’m Samuel the Gorilla!”

With that, Oliver flew away. Not letting go of his word, Samuel went straight into the challenge. He caught a glimpse of four baskets created from bamboo sitting around in his home. He collected a bunch of raspberries from a tree and placed it inside the four baskets. “This would be a piece of cake! ”

He tried again and again but it still failed. He tried putting two baskets in each hand but the handles were to thick to be placed inside the large hands of the gorilla. Samuel even tried placing one on his back, on his head and the left other two baskets in his hands.

“CRASH!” 

The two baskets on his head and back fell and hit the ground. He shouted in frustration. He gave up. 

Suddenly a kind looking sloth came by.

“What happened over here?” Said Frank the sloth.

 “None of your business.” 

“Let me help you, I’m Frank by the way. What were you trying to do?”

“Oliver the owl said that it was impossible for me to carry four baskets of raspberries and walk around the forest once. I really thought I could do it.” Samuel mumbled.

 “Teamwork should do the trick!” Frank said cheerfully.

Samuel really didn’t want to do the challenge with Frank but he figured it was the only way he, or rather Frank and him would succeed. They grabbed the baskets that have already been filled with raspberries by Frank. They collected two baskets for themselves and put each basket in one hand. 

So they started walking around the forest. On their way they got weird and surprised looks from the animals.

“Is that really Samuel the Gorilla and Frank helping each other?” Samuel heard an animal say.

“I always thought that Samuel does things alone!” He heard another animal whisper.

The comments about Samuel kept coming in and it made the Gorilla furious but he soon got over it when his challenge was finished and they were back at home.

“HA! YES I DID IT! IN YOUR FACE OLIVER!” Samuel shouted joyfully.

Oliver the Owl suddenly flew and landed in front of the Sloth and Gorilla. “That isn’t necessarily true.” The wise owl mentioned. “The challenge was to go around the forest holding four baskets BY YOURSELF. Without the help of Frank you would have never made it. I wanted you to realise there are some things in life that you can’t do alone.

Samuel thought about it for a while. “I guess you are right.” Said Samuel.

“I’m glad you see that. Well I better get going now.” The owl replied.

After Frank also said his goodbyes, Samuel apologised to the people he made fun of, especially Oscar the Leopard for injuring his leg before the race.