There are about 125 species of monkeys in the world. Here is a short summary of three of them—all natives of South America.
The capuchin monkey, with its twelve-inch tail, has a rather pretty blackish or golden-olive color and a white-bordered face and chest. It is one of the cleverest, full of pranks, and quickly makes friends with people as well as with dogs and other animals. Little ones ride on the mother’s back as she scrambles through the trees.
Years ago these monkeys were useful to street musicians who earned a meager living on the streets playing music on their hand organs. The capuchin, held on a long leash, climbed up to balconies and upstairs windows with a tin cup for people to drop in money. Then the monkey brought it back to its master.
Another is the spider monkey, which has long, black or sometimes red, glossy hair. It is somewhat larger than the capuchin, with long, sprawling legs and arms, which accounts for its name. However, its long limbs give it an awkward walk—its front hands point outward and the hind feet point inward.
Its two-foot-long tail is like an extra hand, gripping tree limbs tightly so that its body can hang from a tree limb while it searches for food or just enjoys a good swing. It sometimes uses this flexible tail to hook insects out of holes that are too deep for its hands to reach. The spider monkey is also quite an acrobat and easily carries its little ones on its back as it runs among the branches of tall trees.
The short-tailed red Uakari is about the size of a cat. Its coat of long, red, silky hair covers its entire body, including a stubby tail, but its face, like that of nearly all monkeys, is bare. It is full of mischief but very strict in training its young. When angry or excited, its face turns scarlet, its fur rises and its cries sound like insane laughter.
These agile animals always amuse us with their tricks and antics, but they are an example of God’s creatures that seem to enjoy His goodness to them. We do not expect them to know about the Creator’s care, but the Bible tells of His care over all living things, more particularly over each of us. Job 12:1010In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:10) says, “In whose hand is the soul [life] of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” What love He has shown us—and not only in caring for our daily needs! He provided His Son, the Lord Jesus, to bear on the cross the sins of all who trust in Him, so that when our life on earth is over, we will be in heaven with Him forever. Will you be there too?
ML-07/26/2009