Monkey on a Mission

While Chunky Monkey may live in a silly zoo, he couldn’t be more serious about his mission. Actually, it’s a three-part mission. to support the well-being of his fellow primates; to help preserve the rainforest where he came from (or what’s left of it), and to help promote sustainable agriculture – in other words, Earth-friendly farming methods More on the mission In keeping with his mission, Chunky Monkey would first like to make you aware of how many monkeys, chimpanzees, and other apes -- smart and fun-loving creatures all, who should be spending their time swinging from tree to tree, eating fruit and enjoying each other’s company – have instead been locked up in dingy cages and used as guinea pigs for toxic products (as far as Chunky Monkey is concerned, even guinea pigs shouldn’t be guinea pigs, let alone his friends and relatives). Second, he would like you to know about what’s happening to the rainforest – a place that is of vital importance to all of us no matter where we happen to live. In short, it’s growing smaller and smaller every year, cut down so greedy and thoughtless people can use the land for other purposes, such as farming, which is not what Mother Nature intended. And when it’s gone, not only will its many animal species be deprived of their natural habitat and its unique plants (often used to make life-saving medicines) disappear, but all those trees will no longer be there to absorb the carbon dioxide that contributes to global warming – and the entire world will be “losing its cool’ even faster than it is now. Third, Chunky Monkey would like to encourage all of us to use organic products that have been grown without pesticides and toxic chemicals, using methods that don’t ‘spoil the soil’ – or ruin our precious natural resources, such as the rainforest. Finally, if there’s one thing Chunky Monkey would like you to keep in mind, it’s that humans are primates, too, and that what benefits monkeys, chimps, apes, orangutans and gibbons is also good for people. If he just gets you to hold that one thought, he’ll consider his mission a success. photos courtesy of the IPPL

Note: to keep playing music you have to keep this page open! Song 1: Monkey on a Mission Words by Pauline Comanor & Dan Brown Music & performance by Dan Brown Song 2: and now Music & performance by Dan Brown Sing along! How you can be a part of Chunky Monkey’s mission: 1. Draw your own rainforest picture. 2. Learn about the rainforest and the refuges that now exist for primates who have been freed from captivity. 3. Encourage your family to buy organic products and those grown in ways that help to preserve the rainforest. 4. Get together with friends and sing our “Monkey on a Mission" song. Monkey on a Mission back to top You gotta do your best every day Or your best won't be best at all You gotta play fair in every way Or from grace you may fall And become a castaway On a desert island where you must stay You gotta do your best every day Or your best won't be best at all they say If you become a castaway Eating coconuts all day Even your head may look that way, SO... You gotta do your best every day Or your best won't be best at all they say So much to think about when you're a monkey Should I use my feet, my hands, my tail to hang from the tree? Too many bananas and now they call me Chunky But that is just me and all I can be It's just that the rainforest was so relaxing Just climbing, banana peeling, no hassling I don't wanna do what other primates do Rushin' around till they're so very blue A monkey on a mission just wishin' people would listen to the sound of the rainforest fading from a distance A monkey who had to move into the Silly Zoo, but he's making lots of friends and learnin' the golden rule One day Chunky Monkey was sittin' in the zoo He met Pauline who drew cartoons Chunky Monkey asked will you be my friend? Pauline said sure and she drew him then A monkey on a mission just wishin' people would listen to the sound of the rainforest fading from a distance A monkey who had to move into the Silly Zoo, but he's making lots of friends and learnin' the golden rule Gotta do your best everyday or you best won't be best at all they say Monkey on a Mission copyright 2011 Chunky Monkey LLC & Dan Brown music. All rights reserved.