Chin Up!

The Monkey Man was feeling really bad for one of the chimps in the troop. A situation arose which made it so the Monkey Man and the troop were separated and not able to see each other day in and day out. This was a real struggle for the entire troop, but especially for one of the chimps. Whenever the time came for the chimp to leave the Monkey Man, he would hold on to his bedposts, kicking his feet and crying that he didn't want to go. This distressed the Monkey Man so he started pondering ways to help the chimp not only overcome the struggle, but to help him while he was away from the Monkey Man. He explained to the chimp that he should hold his head high and be proud. He was the Monkey Man's son and no matter where he went or what ever happened to him, that would be the case. If he ever felt down, he should say to himself, 'Chin up!' and then lift his chin up so his head was held high. This became the Monkey Man and the chimp's code. Whenever they left each other, they reminded each other 'Chin up!'

The Monkey Man didn't realize how much this simple phrase would bond the two of them together and help both of them through some tough times. Recently, the chimp came to live with the Monkey Man. The chimp saw some similar separation struggles with a younger chimp in the troop. He leaned over to the Monkey Man and said, "Maybe you should share our 'Chin up!' secret with this little chimp to help her. I don't think we will need it as much now." The Monkey Man shared this phrase with the young chimp and saw a wonderful smile come to her face. Now whenever the Monkey Man sees this little member of the troop, a gentle reminder of 'Chin up!' rolls of his monkey lips and the smile returns to her face with a glitter in the chimps eye.

When you are going through struggles or need a boost, the Monkey Man hopes you will hold your head high and know that there is someone out there that cares about you. There is a monkey swinging from branch to branch whispering the simple words 'Chin up!'