THE MONKEY HOUSE

There are many zoos in the world, and one essential part of them is the monkey house. The zoo I'm about to tell you about is different. The back and part of the side walls of the monkeys' cage is dull grey concrete. In the middle the side wall changes into strong transparent plexi glass. In the front there's one spot with just bars. There a monkey can stick his hand out, and the most adventurous can touch it. The monkey's shoulders won't fit through the bars so he can't get out, even if he gets his head to the other side.

The monkey house is very stimulating. Right next to the front plexi glass stands a big tree where the monkeys climb and perform acrobatics. In addition they have numerous play areas. Food is served so that getting to eat it poses a challenge to the monkey. Monkeys love this house. Everything is fine for them. There are enough things for them to do.

There are also people in the monkey house. Their tasks are various, e.g. prompting the monkeys' activities. Some of the people are holding a monkey in their arms. The monkeys are incredibly well cared for.

YOU

It was an activity demonstration that you arrived for. Out of the pack of monkeys one was clearly distinctive. You followed Jinzei's performance with great interest. It made a great impression on you. Jinzei concentrated on his performance so keenly that he didn't really notice you, until you came to greet him personally from behind the bars. There the monkey did a backwards somersault. Some people Jinzei would touch, and he looked so well balanced and in good health.

Every one of these monkeys had enjoyed the show. They are not forced to do anything. They show their tricks voluntarily.

JINZEI

That amusing little monkey made a deep impression on you. You enjoyed stopping by at the zoo to see Jinzei. You were immensely fascinated by Jinzei's way of using tools to get food for himself. Often Jinzei was very near the plexi glass and made faces copying your movements. The monkey quickly noticed that he had contact with you. Clearly the monkey wanted to entertain you with its antics. The monkey's tricks and games were ludicrously funny, but sometimes quite recklessly daring. Sometimes Jinzei looked downcast and remained a bit in the background. Often when you arrived at the house the monkey was sitting in the furthest corner, but bounced to greet you with an endearing caper.

WHAT NOW?

The next time the animal keeper asked you to come to a side room. The monkey you had got to know a bit better lay in a carer's arms apathetic and limp. You frowned and wondered what might have happened.
- Human virus, said the animal keeper, sighing, stroking Jinzei's fur at the same time: - We can't possibly monitor all the people who come to the zoo. Some think it's funny to scare the monkeys. Jinzei is very sensitive. He was just recovering from the previous illness with the human virus, and now his condition has become weak. Why are people so nasty, they should leave them alone, said the animal keeper with tears in his eyes. Jinzei clung tighter to the carer, who calmed him the best he could.
-And you can't treat them in any way except by being close to them. The only one that Jinzei seems to have a very weak contact with is the monkey Moore, our number one carer who always spots the sickest monkeys, and yes, you. We have heard that you have good professional skills, said the carer looking somewhere into the distance, like Jinzei. The situation seemed critical.

Jinzei stirred restlessly. The carer quickly grabbed a bowl sitting nearby. The little monkey vomited violently with his body trembling in spasms.
- An extremely difficult case. Throws up everything. Nothing will stay in. We hope for the best, said the carer and held the monkey tighter. The carer soothed him in an even voice: - Everything is fine, just rest there.
For a moment an active gaze wakened in Jinzei's eyes, reaching also you. Then he sank into apathy again, and stared somewhere at a great distance.
- Jinzei needs a carer. If he doesn't get plenty of human contact now, he won't recover. They have to be good, reliable, safe contacts. Most of all, the carer has to be committed to staying near until the virus is conquered.
The animal carer looked Jinzei in the eyes and stroked his head. - The earlier contacts have been broken too soon. Jinzei might already be incurable. The vomiting suggests that. There is only a slim chance, the carer stated, and was intending to say something more. His voice broke. His eyes filled with tears.
- I'm sorry, he said and left the room.

AN END TO IT ALL?!

You were left thinking about the things the animal keeper had said, and you watched the monkeys moving about the monkey house. Jinzei was in the carer's arms and another monkey was moving actively around them. Clearly he was trying to gain contact with his friend, with a worried look on his face. You were left wondering what a human virus is.