The South Indian Monkey Trap is an old hollowed-out coconut with a hole in it. The hole is wide enough to allow a monkey’s open fist to enter the hole and grab rice that has been poured into the coconut. The hole, however, is not wide enough to allow the clenched fist of the animal to escape the hole. Thus, the monkey is trapped by his valuing the rice over his freedom. He cannot escape unless he releases the rice.

The drums are beating; the footsteps are coming. What can the monkey do? If the monkey releases the rice, he can retrieve his hand and escape. If he continues to hold the rice, he will be caught. Since he values the rice more than his freedom, he will be captured and probably eaten.

If you could give the monkey advice, not specific advice like drop the rice, but general advice what would it be? Most of us would tell the poor animal to decide what is most important, the rice or freedom. In other words to examine his values. The monkey is trapped not by the coconut, but by his values, a value rigidity. He values the wrong thing. Thus, he is trapped.

Value rigidity is prevalent in our culture these days. You can recognize those who hold value rigidity assumptions by their attitude that projects, “Don’t confuse me with the facts. My mind is made up.” Sadly, these people are trapped in a belief system that eventually will lead them to destruction. 

There are many examples of value-rigid people. Flat-earth believers, MAGA people, and anyone who holds fixed, unchangeable assumptions are prime examples. In short anyone who denies truth, facts and data that conflicts with their belief system.

The sad part of all of this is that when reality hits, it hits hard. Just ask someone like Elmer Stewart Rhodes who is serving an eighteen-year prison sentence for his participation in the January 6^th insurrection. 

It could literally sometimes hit hard. For those who deny science, try defying the law of gravity by jumping off a thirteen-story building. I promise you a hard landing. 

So to all those deniers and nay-sayers, I suggest not monkeying around.  Examine your assumptions and challenge your belief systems. You might learn something. Even better, you might prevent tragedy in your future.