A Majom
by Ferenc Herczeg · from Mesék
Adapted Version
Gyurka was a little boy. His mother asked him to buy some cheese. She gave him some money.
Gyurka played with the money. It fell down. It went into a drain. Gyurka was very sad.
A Kind Policeman came. "Why are you sad?" he asked. Gyurka told him about the money. The policeman took Gyurka's hand.
They went to a big house. It had many lost things. Gyurka looked for his money. He found his money. It was twenty fillérs.
Gyurka saw a special monkey. It was a small rag monkey. It had bright eyes. A tag said "Palko." Gyurka liked the monkey.
An Old Man was there. He did not see well. Gyurka took the monkey. He put it under his coat. This was a secret.
Gyurka went home. He told his mother a story. He said he found the monkey. This was not true.
Gyurka slept. The next morning, the monkey was big. It was twice its size. Gyurka felt worried. Monkeys do not grow.
The monkey grew more each day. It got bigger and bigger. Gyurka felt more unhappy. He was very scared.
Gyurka hid the big monkey. He put it in a dark room. He did not want his mother to see. It was his secret.
The monkey grew very, very big. It filled the whole room. Gyurka felt very bad inside. He was very sad.
Gyurka felt very sad. He walked outside. He heard a boy call a name. "Palko!" the boy called.
Gyurka went to the boy. "Are you Palko?" he asked. "Yes," said Palko. "I have your monkey."
Gyurka and Palko went home. Gyurka opened the room door. The big monkey was small again! It was a tiny toy.
Gyurka gave the monkey to Palko. Palko was very happy. Gyurka felt happy again. His mother saw he was happy. Gyurka learned that telling the truth makes your heart light. It makes your heart small, just like the monkey.
Original Story
A majom
akott Budapesten egy özvegy asszony, annak volt egy Gyurka nevü kis fia. Az özvegyasszony egyszer húsz fillért adott a fiának és elküldte a boltba, hogy hozzon sajtot. Gyurka a boltba ment. Útközben a pénzzel labdázott, földobta a levegőbe és elkapta megint. A húszfilléres azonban, egyszerre leesett a földre, továbbgurult a kövezeten és eltünt az utcai csatorna rostélyában. A fiú ekkor nagyon megijedt és elkezdett keservesen sírni.
Arra jött egy rendőr.
– Miért sírsz? – kérdezte Gyurkától.
A fiú elpanaszolta, hogy a húsz fillérje beleesett a csatornába.
– Ha nagyobb bajod nincs, azon még segíthetünk, – mondta a rendőr.
Azzal kézen fogta Gyurkát és magával vitte. Jó sokáig mentek együtt, girbe-görbe utcákon át, végül beléptek egy ócska nagy ház kapuján. A homályos nagy udvar teli volt ládákkal meg hordókkal. Az udvar végében volt egy vasajtó. A rendőr kinyitotta az ajtót és így szólt a kisfiúhoz:
– Ebben a raktárban megvan minden, amit az emberek elveszítenek. Egy vak öreg ember őrzi a holmit; ő majd visszaadja neked a húsz filléredet.
A rendőr elment, Gyurka pedig belépett a raktárba. Nagyon hosszu, homályos terembe jutott. A terem fapadmalyát fekete gerendák támogatták. A kopott fal mellett garmadaszámra hevert a sok elveszett holmi. Esernyők, botok, kabátok, melyeket az emberek elhagytak valahol. Kalapok, amelyeket elhordott a szél. Hosszu polcokon ékszerek és órák hevertek. Mindegyikre cédula volt ragasztva, azon rajta volt a tulajdonos neve.
Gyurka egy eleven lelket sem talált az első teremben és belépett a másodikba. Ott sok elveszett kutya és macska volt, sőt egy-két ló is volt ott. A terem végében néhány elveszett kis gyerek ült együtt. Mindegyiknek cédula volt a nyakán, az édesanyja nevével. Csendesen csücsültek és a nagy szemükkel komolyan néztek Gyurkára.
A harmadik teremben együtt volt minden játékszer, amelyet a budapesti gyerekek elszórtak. Rengeteg sok labda, papirsárkány, trombita és bábu. Gyurka kiváncsian nézte a kivánatos holmit. Egy arasznyi kis kócmajom nagyon megtetszett neki. A kóc-majom mozgatni tudta a négy kezét, a szeme vörös volt, a fogát meg furcsán vicsorgatta. Egy cédula volt a majom nyakán, azon rajta volt a gazdája neve: Faragó Palkó. Mialatt a kóc-majmot nézte, köhögést hallott a sarokból. Egy kis vaskályha mellett nagyszakállu öreg ember ült. A szemén zöld ernyő volt. Erősen pipázott és kék füstkarikákat bocsájtott a levegőbe.
A kis fiú hozzáment, illedelmesen megemelte a sapkáját és azt mondta, hogy az elveszett húsz fillérjeért jött.
– Eredj a negyedik szobába és keresd meg, – mondta az öreg.
A negyedik teremben őrizték az elveszett pénzt. Hosszu asztalokon cseréptányérok állottak, egyik tányérban bankópénz volt, a másikban arany, a harmadikban ezüst. Gyurka végül megtalálta a maga húsz fillérjét. Egy cédula volt a tányéron ilyen fölirással: „A Gyurka húsz fillérje.“
– Megtaláltad? – kérdezte az öreg ember.
– Megtaláltam, bácsi, – válaszolt Gyurka.
– Vidd magaddal és eredj a boltba sajtot venni.
Gyurka megköszönte az öreg szívességét és kifelé indult. Amikor a kis kóc-majomhoz ért, megállott egy pillanatra.
– Jó volna, ha az a majom az enyém volna, – gondolta magában. – El is vihetném magammal. Faragó Palkó talán nem is gondol vele többet, az öreg pedig nem lát semmit…
Visszatekintett az öregre. Az békén pipázgatott a homályos sarokban. Gyurka ekkor lábujjhegyen oda lopódzott a polchoz, a kabátja alá gyűrte a kis majmot és dobogó szívvel kiosont a raktárból…
Otthon azt hazudta édesanyjának, hogy a majmot az utcán találta. Vacsoráig jóízüen eljátszadozott vele, azután maga mellé vette az ágyába és elaludt.
Reggelre kelve, furcsa meglepetésben volt része. A majom, amely tegnap még csak egy arasznyi volt, megnőtt két arasznyira. Gyurka igen megszeppent. Sohasem hallotta még, hogy a kóc-majmok nőni szoktak.
Iskolába kellett mennie és amikor este megint előkereste a majmot, hogy mulasson vele, rémülten tántorodott vissza. A majom most már akkora volt, mint egy kis gyerek. Gyurka remegő kézzel fogta meg a különös játékszert és bevitte a sötét kamrába, hogy meg ne lássa az édesanyja.
A sötét kamarában különféle ócska holmit tartottak és édesanyja csak ritkán nyitott be oda. A fiú legyömöszölte a majmot a szekrény mögé és még le is takarta régi ujságlapokkal. Most már nem akart vele többet játszani.
Vacsorára alig evett valamit és amikor ágyba fektették, jó ideig nem jött álom a szemére. Azon gondolkozott, hogyan szabadulhatna a majomtól. Úgy gondolta, hogy legjobb lesz, ha másnap titokban kiviszi a házból és kilöki az utcára.
Másnap alig tudta megvárni, hogy vége legyen az iskolának. Az édesanyja nem volt otthon és ő egyedül volt a lakásban. Dobogó szívvel ment a sötét kamrához, kinyitotta az ajtót és óvatosan bedugta a fejét.
Rettenetes dolgot látott! A kóc-majom kinőtt a szekrény mögül. Akkora volt, mint egy felnőtt ember. A feje kinézett a szekrény teteje fölött, a két vörös szeme alattomosan tekintett Gyurkára, a nagy szája pedig gonoszul vigyorgott.
Harmadnapra Gyurka nem is mert benézni a kamrába. Negyednapra azonban beküldte az édesanyja. – Eredj be, Gyurka és hozd ki a régi fehér skatulyát, szükségem van rá.
A szörnyeteg megint óriásit nőtt. Most már olyan hosszu volt a két szőrös karja, hogy átfogta velük az egész szekrényt. A fogát vicsorgatva szorongott a fal mellett, a szeme pedig vörös tűzfényben ragyogott.
Gyurka nem mert szólni a majomról. Mindazonban nagyon sápadt volt és a foga is vacogott a félelemtől, az édesanyja azt hitte, hogy beteg és ágyba fektette.
Egy hét telt el. A majom napról-napra nőtt. A hét végén már akkorára duzzadt, hogy betöltötte az egész kamrát. Tányérszemü, hordónyi fejét szőrös mellére hajtva, kuporodott a homályban és óriás keze elért már a kamra ajtajáig.
Gyurka pedig a félelemtől betegen ült a külső szobában és egyre azon gondolkozott, hogy mi lesz majd, ha édesanyja egy nap be talál nyitni a kamrába és megtudja a szörnyü titkát. Szólni azonban most sem mert.
Egy nap, mikor hazajött az iskolából, egy kis fiút látott az utcán, aki egy pajtása után szaladt és a nevét kiáltotta.
– Faragó Palkó, várj meg! – kiáltotta.
Faragó Palkó? Hiszen az a kóc-majom kis gazdájának a neve! – gondolta Gyurka.
A fiúk után sietett és hamar utolérte őket.
– Melyikteket hívják Faragó Palkónak? – kérdezte.
– Engem! – válaszolt egy szőkefejü gyerek.
– Nem vesztettél el egy kóc-majmot? – kérdezte tovább Gyurka.
A szőkefejü gyerek szeme egyszerre fölragyogott.
– De igen, két héttel ezelőtt! Nagyon szép kis majom volt… Te talán megtaláltad?
– Megtaláltam és ha velem jössz, visszaadom neked.
Gyurka elvitte a szőkefejüt az édesanyja lakására.
– Abban a szobában van! – mondta, a kamra ajtójára mutatva.
– Hát hozd ki! – biztatta a szőkefejü.
Gyurka félve kinyitotta az ajtót. A szörnyeteget ezúttal nem látta. A kamra üres volt. Óvatosan ment a sarokba. A szekrény mögött egy csomó ujságpapirost talált. Fölemelte és alatta ott feküdt a kis kócmajom. Megint csak egy arasznyi hosszu volt.
Gyurka odaadta a kis gazdájának. Az elkiáltotta magát nagy örömében.
– Köszönöm, pajtás! – mondta.
Azzal kezet fogott Gyurkával és elszaladt a kócmajommal a hóna alatt.
Gyurka édesanyja estefelé jött csak haza. Mikor meglátta a fiát, megsimogotta arcát és mosolyogva mondta:
– Úgy látom, nincs már semmi bajod? Pedig már féltettelek, hogy beteg leszel!
Story DNA
Moral
Dishonesty and theft, even of seemingly small things, can lead to overwhelming guilt and fear.
Plot Summary
Young Gyurka loses his mother's money and is led by a policeman to a magical lost-and-found where he retrieves it. However, he is tempted by and steals a small rag monkey. The monkey begins to grow monstrously large each night, filling Gyurka with overwhelming fear and guilt, which he desperately tries to hide from his mother. Overcome by his secret, Gyurka eventually finds the monkey's rightful owner, Faragó Palkó, and returns it, causing the monkey to shrink back to its original size and freeing Gyurka from his burden.
Themes
Emotional Arc
innocence to fear to relief
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Ferenc Herczeg was a prominent Hungarian writer. This story reflects a common European fairy tale tradition of moral instruction through fantastical events.
Plot Beats (15)
- Gyurka, an orphan boy, is sent by his mother to buy cheese with twenty fillérs.
- He loses the money down a street drain while playing with it.
- A policeman takes Gyurka to a mysterious lost-and-found warehouse.
- Inside, Gyurka finds rooms filled with lost items, including pets and children, and eventually his twenty fillérs.
- He sees a small, peculiar rag monkey with red eyes and bared teeth, belonging to 'Faragó Palkó', and is tempted to take it.
- Despite the blind old guardian's presence, Gyurka steals the monkey and hides it under his coat.
- He lies to his mother, claiming he found the monkey on the street.
- Overnight, the monkey grows to twice its size, startling Gyurka.
- Each subsequent night, the monkey grows larger and more menacing, terrifying Gyurka.
- Gyurka hides the ever-growing monkey in the dark pantry, fearing his mother's discovery.
- The monkey grows to fill the entire pantry, becoming a monstrous, silent presence.
- Gyurka, sick with fear and guilt, overhears a boy calling out 'Faragó Palkó' on the street.
- He approaches the boy, confirms he is Faragó Palkó, and offers to return his lost monkey.
- Gyurka takes Palkó to his house, and upon opening the pantry door, finds the monkey has shrunk back to its original small size.
- He returns the monkey to Palkó, feeling immense relief, and his mother notes his improved health that evening.
Characters
Gyurka ★ protagonist
A young boy, likely of average height and build for his age. His appearance is not explicitly detailed, but his fear and paleness suggest a delicate or sensitive constitution.
Attire: Typical everyday clothing for a Hungarian child in the early 20th century, likely simple trousers, a shirt, and possibly a cap, as he is mentioned to politely remove it.
Wants: Initially wants to fulfill his mother's request for cheese. Later, driven by a desire for a toy (the monkey) and then by fear to get rid of it. Ultimately, motivated by guilt to return the stolen item.
Flaw: Impulsiveness, dishonesty, fear, and a tendency to keep secrets when he feels guilty.
Starts as an innocent, playful child who makes a mistake (losing money), then commits a theft (taking the monkey). He experiences growing fear and guilt as the monkey grows, leading to a realization of his wrongdoing. He ultimately confesses and returns the monkey, learning a lesson about honesty.
Playful, easily frightened, dishonest (initially), remorseful, ultimately courageous (in admitting his wrongdoing).
Image Prompt & Upload
A young Hungarian boy, around 8 years old, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has fair skin, round blue eyes, and short, light brown hair styled neatly. He wears a simple cream-colored linen shirt, dark brown knickerbockers, and knee-high grey socks with sturdy leather shoes. His expression is a mix of apprehension and determination, with a slight frown. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Policeman ◆ supporting
A sturdy, authoritative man, typical of a police officer in early 20th-century Budapest. His uniform would be a key identifier.
Attire: A formal police uniform of early 20th-century Hungary, likely dark blue or grey, with brass buttons, a high collar, and a peaked cap. Sturdy leather boots.
Wants: To assist a distressed child and uphold order.
Flaw: None apparent in the story; he is a purely benevolent figure.
A static character who serves to guide Gyurka to the solution for his initial problem.
Helpful, calm, reassuring, observant, and responsible.
Image Prompt & Upload
A Hungarian police officer from the early 1900s, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He is a robust adult man with a neatly trimmed dark mustache and a serious but kind expression. He wears a dark blue wool uniform jacket with brass buttons, a high collar, and epaulets, matching trousers, and polished black leather boots. A dark blue peaked cap with a badge sits on his head. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Old Man (Guardian of Lost Items) ◆ supporting
An old man with a long beard, described as blind, wearing a green eyeshade. He sits by a small iron stove.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for someone working in a dusty warehouse, likely dark, worn fabrics. The green eyeshade is a key accessory.
Wants: To guard the lost items and return them to their rightful owners.
Flaw: Physical blindness, though he seems to 'see' in other ways.
A static, mystical character who provides a crucial service but does not change.
Calm, wise, observant (despite blindness), and seemingly benevolent. He appears to know the nature of the lost items and their owners.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly Hungarian man with a very long, thick white beard, sitting by a small, dark iron stove, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He wears a dark, simple, worn wool jacket and trousers. A green eyeshade covers his eyes. He holds a wooden pipe in one hand, emitting blue smoke rings. His expression is serene and knowing. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Monkey (Kóc-majom) ⚔ antagonist
Initially a small, hand-span-sized rag monkey with four movable limbs, red eyes, and bared teeth. It grows to the size of a small child, then an adult, then fills an entire room, becoming monstrous with huge, hairy arms, plate-sized eyes, and a barrel-sized head.
Attire: None, as it is a rag monkey.
Wants: To embody and amplify Gyurka's guilt until he confesses.
Flaw: Its existence and growth are tied to Gyurka's dishonesty; it shrinks back to its original size when returned to its rightful owner.
Transforms from an innocent toy into a monstrous embodiment of guilt, then reverts to its original state once returned to its owner.
Represents Gyurka's guilt and stolen conscience. It is initially desirable, then becomes terrifying and menacing as it grows, reflecting the escalating burden of his secret.
Image Prompt & Upload
A monstrous, oversized rag monkey, hunched and squeezed into a dark corner, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. It has coarse, matted brown fur, huge, plate-sized glowing red eyes, and a wide, menacing grin revealing sharp, bared teeth. Its two enormous, hairy arms are wrapped around an unseen object, and its barrel-sized head is tilted slightly. Its posture is one of immense, contained power and malevolence. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Faragó Palkó ○ minor
A fair-haired child, likely of similar age to Gyurka.
Attire: Typical everyday clothing for a Hungarian child in the early 20th century, similar to Gyurka's.
Wants: To play and to recover his lost toy.
Flaw: None apparent, a purely positive character.
A static character who serves as the catalyst for Gyurka's redemption.
Joyful, appreciative, and friendly.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young Hungarian boy, around 8 years old, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has bright blonde hair, styled in a simple boy's cut, and wide, cheerful blue eyes. He wears a light blue linen shirt, dark grey knickerbockers, and sturdy brown leather shoes. He holds a small, brown rag monkey under one arm, with a wide, happy smile on his face. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Gyurka's Mother ◆ supporting
A widowed woman, likely of average build. Her appearance is not detailed, but her concern for Gyurka suggests a caring nature.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing for a widowed mother in early 20th-century Budapest, likely a modest dress or skirt and blouse, made of durable fabrics.
Wants: To care for her son and manage her household.
Flaw: Unaware of Gyurka's secret and the magical monkey, which could have put her in danger.
A static character who serves as a grounding presence for Gyurka.
Caring, observant (notices Gyurka's paleness), trusting (sends him on errands), and loving.
Image Prompt & Upload
A Hungarian widowed woman in her late 30s or early 40s, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has soft brown hair pulled back in a simple bun, kind brown eyes, and a gentle, maternal expression. She wears a modest, dark blue linen dress with a high collar and long sleeves, and a simple white apron tied at the waist. Her hands are clasped gently in front of her. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Budapest Street with Sewer Grate
A paved street in Budapest, likely cobblestone or early asphalt, with a visible street sewer grate where the coin falls. The atmosphere is initially mundane, then shifts to distress.
Mood: Ordinary, then anxious and sorrowful
Gyurka loses his twenty fillér coin down a sewer grate, initiating his quest.
Image Prompt & Upload
A detailed close-up of a worn, wet cobblestone street in early 20th century Budapest, with a cast-iron sewer grate prominently featured. A single, small coin is just visible at the edge of the grate, glinting faintly. The surrounding cobblestones are dark and damp, reflecting a soft, overcast morning light. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Lost and Found Warehouse
A series of long, dim, cavernous rooms within an old, large house. The first room has a wooden ceiling supported by black beams and worn walls, piled high with lost items like umbrellas, coats, hats, and shelves of jewelry and watches. The second room contains lost animals and even small children with tags. The third room is filled with children's toys, including a small, peculiar coir monkey. The fourth room holds lost money on long tables with ceramic plates.
Mood: Mysterious, eerie, melancholic, filled with forgotten things, slightly magical
Gyurka enters this magical repository of lost things, finds his coin, and steals the coir monkey.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast, dimly lit, dusty warehouse interior with a high, dark wooden beamed ceiling. Along the worn, peeling plaster walls, towering piles of forgotten objects are stacked: old umbrellas, tattered coats, and dusty hats. In the foreground, long wooden shelves display antique watches and tarnished jewelry. A small, glowing iron stove sits in a corner, emitting a faint warmth, next to which a bearded old man with a green eyeshade smokes a pipe, casting long shadows. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Gyurka's Dark Pantry/Storage Room
A small, dark storage room (kamra) in Gyurka's Budapest apartment, used for old junk. It contains a large cabinet behind which Gyurka initially hides the monkey. The room becomes increasingly cramped as the monkey grows, eventually filling the entire space.
Mood: Confined, terrifying, oppressive, secretive, claustrophobic
The stolen monkey grows to monstrous proportions here, becoming a source of terror and guilt for Gyurka.
Image Prompt & Upload
A cramped, dark storage room in a modest early 20th century Budapest apartment. A tall, old wooden cabinet dominates one wall, its dark surface reflecting very little light. Piles of dusty, forgotten household items and old newspapers are stacked around the floor. The air is thick with shadows, and a sense of oppressive confinement permeates the space. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
