Haka+the+Ninja+Monkey

Jeffrey Lee 7/8b __ Haka the Ninja Monkey __ “Haka! Wake up!” master ninja monkey said. “You might be a graduate now but you are still a ninja monkey, and ninja monkeys sleep light! Besides, I have a mission for you.” He added hopefully. Haka reluctantly got up and dressed quickly, in anticipation of this new mission.

“So what’s the mission?” Haka asked.

“Before I tell you”, master said, “I have to tell you an important story”

“Long ago,” master began, “when banana trees roamed the land, there was an evil group of ninja monkeys that sought to rule the world. However, a small but elite team of monkey smiths created an enchanted monkey greegree out of monkey steel. This greegree broke the power of the evil monkeys and they were quickly imprisoned. All the monkeys died from abuse in prison except one. Poko, the most cunning ninja monkey the world has ever seen.” “Poko sought revenge on all monkeys but despite his knowledge and deadly skill, the greegree held him off. After many failed attempts of revenge, Poko decided to steal the greegree and use it against the monkey citizens. In our safety, we have grown overconfident and failed to protect the greegree, and yesterday night, it was confirmed Poko has stolen it,” master whispered. “Through the greegree, he took the power of his evil henchmen that had died altered it to enslave all monkey citizens, who’s natural abilities have been diminished. But this morning, he has sent a message saying that one ninja monkey will be sent to fight him on Monkey Island at midnight. The winner will control the greegree and the loser will be condemned to death, as will all other monkeys if we don’t win. If you do win however, you must destroy the greegree as no monkey should be allowed to control others.” “I chose you to fight, Haka, because you are still young and full of determination as well as skill.”

Haka was overwhelmed; he was expected to fight the most powerful ninja monkey in the world! Still, he did not dare argue with master and said, “As you wish master.”

That day, Haka went about with his usual chores: carrying water and raking leaves, as well as practicing with his ninja monkey staff when he heard an evil laugh and ominous sound of a body striking the ground. Haka ran over an almost fell over as he found master ninja monkey on the ground. Master gave one shuddering breath and said “Haka, be careful. You are on your own now. Poko has returned stronger than ever.” Then he gave Haka one last look and died. Haka did not cry, as a proper ninja monkey, but he could not help leaking a few tears as he wrapped master in banana leaves and cremated him with banana tree wood.

After saying a couple ceremonial prayers and revenge vows, Haka got his ninja staff and proceeded to Monkey Island, as it was getting dark. The full moon was all the way up as Haka stumbled in front of the grinning Poko. Poko stared at Haka for a full minute and suddenly started laughing.

“So this is what the great ninja monkeys send as their representative!” Poko bellowed. Then he started laughing again as Haka stared confused at him. “Very well,” Poko said “This only makes it easier for me.” Then, he bounded across the space between him and Haka and delivered a strong slashing bow with his own staff.

After a few minutes of intense sparring, it became apparent that Haka was outmatched. Poko almost defeated him several times, but using skills taught to him by master he slipped away by climing a tree or throwing a banana.

These acts infuriated Poko as he had expected a swift victory but it was not so. Haka was young and quick but also imaginative, making it hard for Poko to anticipate his moves. However, Poko was still much stronger than Haka and was relieved to see Haka was tiring quickly.

Just as Poko was to deliver his winning blow, Haka spotted a small vine hanging above a huge trench in the ground. He quickly grabbed it and swung across. Poko was infuriated as he grabbed his own vine screaming all the while. Through his anger, however, he forgot one of the most basic ninja monkey rules: be attentive. He did not notice that the vine he picked was rotting and that if he had picked the vine next to it, he could have defeated Haka who was now lying on the ground coughing up blood.

But it was not so and Haka watched with amazement as Poko fell into the trench and a huge beam of light blasted out as the greegree, which hung around Poko’s neck, was destroyed.

Haka stumbled into a monkey city the next morning, still coughing up blood as he recounted his battle with Poko and receiving many thanks from skilled monkeys who had lost their abilities and had retained them as the greegree was destroyed. And so Haka eventually recovered and mentored his own ninja monkey apprentice, named Gashish, and when he eventually died of age, was buried, wrapped in banana leaves, the same pit that Poko fell into.

Sometimes, when the full moon is highest, some adventurers claim to hear the swift bangs from Haka’s staff as well as angered shouts from Poko.