It was a cold and gloomy week for the Cincinnati Zoo. It was closing soon and they didn’t know what to do. For animals large and small had to move away. All the animals, except the monkeys had a new place to stay. Yes, every zoo everywhere was overflowing and packed every other zoo had enough monkeys in fact. Oh, they wished they could find their monkeys a home, but every empty cage and habitat was gone.

“So what shall we do?” asked zookeeper Paul. The Cincinnati Zoo had no where else to call. “I don’t know,” said zookeeper Ann. “But you gotta help me come up with a plan. Because our monkeys must have a new home; every other dwelling can’t be gone.”

So for the next five days they searched for new homes. But by the end of the week, all their hope was gone.  For every zoo round the world and back, had enough monkeys, they’re zoos were packed.

Then zookeeper Paul said, “They’ll live with me” in my lonely cabin, near the sea. “They can’t live with you,” said zookeeper Ann, “I think I have a much better plan.” “You do?” yelled Zookeeper Paul with glee. “Yes, half will live with you, and half will live with me.” “It might work, but do you have the room? We may not find them a home, anytime, soon.”

Well, I have an old school bus, where they can dwell, that’s where I’ll put them until they sell.” “Sell?” asked Zookeeper Paul, wearing a frown. “Sure, that’s the only way new homes will be found. We’ll have to sale them one by one. It won’t be fun, but it must be done.” “I can’t imagine selling my monkey friends.” “Well, do you have a better plan?” “Not right now,” said Zookeeper Paul. “But I don’t want to sell them. No not at all. Let’s keep them together, as long as we can; until we can come up with a better plan.” “Well, why don’t we start our own monkey zoo, one for me and one for you?” “Please explain, I don’t understand. Please help me understand, Zookeeper Ann.”

“Well, you take ten; I’ll take ten too, and we’ll start our own monkey zoo. Yours in the cabin, mine in the bus. The monkeys will be trained by both of us. With the money we’ll raise, we’ll buy them a home, a special place for them all to roam.”  “It might work, at least for a while”, said Zookeeper Paul with a great big smile. That weekend, they both, prepared new homes, where the 20 monkeys would all now roam. And where they would someday entertain and play. Zookeeper Ann had saved the day.

 Two days later the zoo shut down, by now, no other animals were found. But 20 monkeys still jumped joyfully, wanting so badly to be set free. Why didn’t these 20 have new homes? Why were they left at the zoo alone?

Soon zookeepers Paul and Ann entered the scene, with food, water and monkey things.  Into the cage they went that day, and gathered the monkeys for fun at play. They trained them there for the very last time, so the monkeys would think everything was fine. Then almost as the bright sun set, they gathered all the monkeys under a net. Putting them in cages the monkeys yelped. It was as if they were screaming for help. On the back of a truck they settled down, but sadly they kept looking around. Where were they going on that gloomy day? Would they ever again be let loose to play? 

A long bumpy ride later, the 20 were home, 10 in the cabin, 10 in the bus to roam. Jumping gladly they had a good time, Paul and Ann gave them time to unwind. But in a week or two, they would start their zoo. For boys, girls, and yes you too.

After weeks of preparation, all was well, the zoos were ready, the tickets for sell. People near and far came to see them act; maybe it was a good thing all the zoos were packed. Cause now the monkeys were known all over the world. And were loved by every man, woman, boy and girl.  For the monkey shows were the next big craze. Every show was sold out for days and days.

So after many weeks of success with the zoo, Zookeeper Ann thought of something else to do.  “We can be a traveling zoo,” she told Zookeeper Paul. “I can fix up the bus, but that’s not all. We can do birthday parties, and perform here and there. With the bus we can take our monkeys, everywhere.” “Do you think they’re ready to travel around?  Should we take the monkeys all over town?” “Why not, everyone loves the zoo. But I’ll leave the final decision up to you.”

That week she painted the bus, really neat, and posted flyers up and down the street. She was very excited about a traveling zoo. How would you feel if it were you?

Days later, Zookeeper Paul said yes. But before they started, they gave the monkeys some rest. All 20 of them rested in the bus that night.  But for some reason, out broke a fight. Ten against ten, monkeys in fact. Maybe the bus was just too packed. Somehow they no longer liked living as friends. The fighting monkeys ruined Ann’s plan. 

“I wonder what they’re fighting for,” said Zookeeper Ann, as they slammed the door. “How can they travel if they can’t get along? I guess the cabin monkeys don’t think they belong.” “That may but true but let’s get in there, and show them all, how much we care.” Pushing on the door, Ann noticed the key.  My, oh, my, how foolish was she?

Monkey Pierre sat in the driver’s seat, and he was pushing the brakes with his furry feet. “I hope he doesn’t turn on that bus.” “Oh, he’s not that smart, that you can trust.” “I don’t know, Pierre is bright, he was watching me drive, just the other night.” “Don’t panic, he’s just sitting there,” said Zookeeper Paul, grabbing a chair.  “I’ll climb through that window, and make things right. Come on Ann, we gotta break up the fight.”

Ann held the chair and her heart, because she knew Pierre was smart. Yes Pierre was the smartest monkey in her zoo, the best at monkey see, monkey do. 

So as Paul neared the window, with shaky limbs, Pierre began to laugh at him. Paul laughed too, at such a sight, but he had to get in the bus, and break up the fight. But he also needed those keys in hand; maybe a traveling zoo wasn’t a good plan. Climbing higher he was almost there. Then suddenly he fell off the chair. Out the windows the monkeys looked. Then all of a sudden, the monkey bus shook. 

Pierre had really started the bus, and this made the monkeys stop their fuss. “Oh my goodness, the bus is on.” “Don’t stand there and panic, get the Police on the phone. Hopefully they won’t get anywhere,” said Paul climbing back on the chair. “Hurry, our monkeys are driving the bus. They’re looking out the windows and laughing at us.” “We’ll be there soon” said the Police. “But why did you give a monkey your keys?”

Before the Police arrived, Paul climbed up again. He didn’t want any harm to come to his friends. No longer fighting out the windows they peeked, as Pierre stood up in the driver’s seat. Then he pulled the controls, out of groove, and all of a sudden the monkey bus moved.

But, not very far; no not far at all. But the moving bus made the zookeeper fall.  Then Zookeeper Ann began to cry, as all the monkeys waved good-bye.  It was a trick they had taught them for the traveling show, to let the visitors know it was time to go.

Back in the seat Pierre held the wheel. As if he was driving the bus for real. In fact he was right in the street, as the accelerator was met by his furry feet. Ann and Paul were now defeated. They watched the monkeys whom now were seated. Staring and waving from the traveling zoo. They waved as they passed the Policemen too.

It was funny to the visitors who had formed a crowd. “Save my monkeys!” yelled Ann out loud. But the bus moved forward, as the crowd clapped with glee. “Look at those monkeys. Now they are free.” Shaking their heads the Police looked at us. “Never let monkeys drive a bus.”

Slowly the bus drove away, and there was nothing Zookeeper Ann could say.

“I told you monkeys belong in a zoo. Just look at the trouble they’ve gotten into,” said Zookeeper Paul following the bus. “Look how they’re all laughing at us.” “But I didn’t know he would turn that key. So you can’t blame all this on me.” “I’m not, I just feel so bad. Really this just makes me kind of mad. Cause no one can help get our monkeys back and all the other zoos were packed.” Sad and upset, both Zookeepers stood, had they trained the 20 monkeys -- too good?

Running behind the bus the large crowd ran, right after the chubby Policeman. “Stand back,” the Policeman said. As he rubbed his stomach and patted his head. Looking silly everyone laughed, as he stood straight in the buses path. The monkeys all stared standing in their seats. Then Pierre lifted his furry feet. Out of his seat he rubbed his stomach too. What else would a monkey do? Still doing his thing, the Policeman walked to the door, while patting his head a little more. Then he reached in his pockets and took out his keys. Then held them up, like --- look at these.

Pierre watched, the Policeman’s every move, and then he pulled out the bus keys too, then went to the door and looked out the glass. Were the monkeys safe? Were they safe at last? On the door the Policeman knocked, but Pierre had the bus’ door blocked. 

As the Policeman gained Pierre’s trust, Zookeeper Paul climbed into the bus. Grabbing the keys he saved the day. Then the monkeys began to jump and play. Parking the bus along the street, Zookeeper Paul thanked the Police.