The Monkeys and the Wedge

Carpenters building a temple left for their midday meal, leaving behind a great log they had been sawing, a wooden wedge driven into the crack to hold it open.

A troop of monkeys came down from the trees to explore the site, and one young monkey, curious about the wedge, sat himself down astride the log with his tail hanging into the gap and began working the wedge loose.

An old monkey called out a warning, but the young one paid no attention. The moment the wedge came free, the log snapped shut on his tail, trapping him instantly. His screams brought the carpenters running back, sticks in hand, and the rest of the troop fled into the trees, leaving him to face the consequences of his curiosity alone.