2 Blokes From Blighty - The Meat Belt

The Game Club Podcast

Benny the monkey had watched the humans from his treetop for as long as he could remember. He saw them bustling around, bags in hand, always bringing home tasty treats. Curious and hungry, Benny decided to try it himself. So, one morning, when the sun was just rising, he slipped down from his tree, donned an old cap he’d found, and set off into town.

The town square was busier than he’d expected. People rushed around, not even noticing the little monkey weaving through the crowd. Benny kept his head down, only stopping once he reached a big store with rows of fruits and veggies right by the entrance. His eyes lit up – bananas, mangoes, apples! He quickly grabbed a basket and began filling it.

He wove through the aisles, adding everything he’d seen humans pick up before. Bread, crackers, even a small carton of milk. He hummed to himself, delighted by the success of his little mission. At last, with a basket piled high, he reached the checkout counter.

The cashier, a young woman, looked down and stifled a giggle. "Well, aren’t you the cutest customer I've had all day!" she said, scanning his items as if this was the most normal thing in the world.

Just as Benny was reaching out to take the bag, he felt a tug on his cap. He turned to find a little girl pointing at him, eyes wide. “Mommy! Look! The monkey is shopping!” she exclaimed.

People began gathering, snapping pictures and laughing, amazed at the monkey's calm demeanor as he paid with a handful of shiny coins he’d collected from around town. Benny tried to keep cool, acting just as he’d seen the humans do, until a loud bark interrupted him.

A scruffy street dog, curious and territorial, had spotted the gathering crowd. He locked eyes with Benny, who suddenly felt his confidence falter. Clutching his grocery bag, he made a run for it, the dog in hot pursuit.

Dodging through alleyways, Benny finally ducked into a quiet, dim building. As his eyes adjusted, he noticed shelves filled with different things – clocks, jewelry, old books. He'd stumbled into a pawn shop.

The shop owner, an elderly man with thick glasses, peered down at him. “Well, what have we here? A shopping monkey, eh?” Benny offered him the bag with wide, pleading eyes.

The old man chuckled, gave Benny a quick scratch behind the ear, and handed him a silver pendant in return. “For your bravery,” he said.

Benny dashed back to his tree with his bag, the pendant around his neck as a badge of honor. From that day on, he became the monkey who not only grocery shopped but also wore a mysterious silver charm – a legend in town. And only Benny knew the secret of how he’d earned it.

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