---
title: "The Great Circus Monkey Chase"
description: "Bongo the monkey wants to join every circus job at once, which leaves hats, scarves, and popcorn tubs scattered everywhere. The performers learn that chasing only makes him more excited, so they make a calmer plan with his keeper and give Bongo a proper job of his own."
tags: ["Circus Capers", "teamwork", "responsibility", "perseverance", "confidence", "preschoolers", "kindergarteners", "early-readers", "funny", "read-aloud", "classroom", "excitement", "BongoTheMonkey", "SortingPlan", "CircusPractice", "CalmChoices", "HelpfulJobs"]
language: en
source: "Stories for Kids"
url: https://www.stories4kids.net/stories/circus-capers/the-great-circus-monkey-chase/
---

# The Great Circus Monkey Chase

_Bongo Learns How to Help_

Bongo the monkey wants to join every circus job at once, which leaves hats, scarves, and popcorn tubs scattered everywhere. The performers learn that chasing only makes him more excited, so they make a calmer plan with his keeper and give Bongo a proper job of his own.

Category: Circus Capers

Topics: Circus Capers, Teamwork, Responsibility, Perseverance, Confidence, Preschoolers, Kindergarteners, Early Readers, Funny, Read Aloud, Classroom, Excitement, Bongo The Monkey, Sorting Plan, Circus Practice, Calm Choices, Helpful Jobs

## Story

## The Mischievous Monkey

Bongo the monkey lived at the circus with Keeper Ana, who knew exactly how much mischief could fit inside one small furry body.

![Illustration: The Mischievous Monkey](../../../assets/stories/circus-capers/the-great-circus-monkey-chase-1.png)

Bongo loved shiny buttons, red hats, striped scarves, and anything that made people laugh. During morning practice, Ana gave him his toy drum and said, "Today your job is to tap three beats when the clowns bow."

Bongo tapped three beats.

Then he tapped six.

Then he picked up a clown hat and put it on backward.

## Bongo Gets Busy

By lunchtime, Bongo had collected a scarf from the dancers, a feather from the costume box, and a paper popcorn tub from the snack table.

![Illustration: Bongo Gets Busy](../../../assets/stories/circus-capers/the-great-circus-monkey-chase-2.png)

"Bongo," called Ana. "Those are not all your props."

The acrobats laughed, but the dancers needed their scarf back. The clowns needed the hat. The snack seller needed the tub before the guests arrived.

One acrobat took a step toward Bongo. Bongo bounced away, pleased that someone wanted to play.

"Stop chasing," Ana said gently. "That makes it a game."

## A Calmer Search

Everyone stood still. Bongo stopped too, surprised that the running had ended.

![Illustration: A Calmer Search](../../../assets/stories/circus-capers/the-great-circus-monkey-chase-3.png)

Ana placed a low basket on the ground. "Bongo likes sorting," she said. "Let us give him a sorting job."

The dancers placed one scarf in the basket. The clowns added one spare hat. The snack seller added an empty paper tub.

Bongo crept closer. He looked at the basket. He looked at Ana.

"That is right," Ana said. "Put the borrowed things here."

## The Sorting Plan

Bongo dropped the feather into the basket first. Then he dropped the scarf. Last came the hat, though he tried it on one more time before letting go.

![Illustration: The Sorting Plan](../../../assets/stories/circus-capers/the-great-circus-monkey-chase-4.png)

"Thank you," said the clown. "That hat is part of my sneeze joke."

Bongo tapped his drum as if he had helped with the joke too.

Ana gave him three bright wooden rings. "These are yours for the show. You may carry them to the prop table and tap three beats when I point."

Bongo held the rings proudly.

## Back Where He Belongs

When the audience arrived, Bongo sat beside Ana on his little platform with the rings stacked neatly at his feet.

![Illustration: Back Where He Belongs](../../../assets/stories/circus-capers/the-great-circus-monkey-chase-5.png)

The clowns bowed. Ana pointed.

Bongo tapped three beats on the drum.

The dancers twirled their returned scarf. The snack seller filled the popcorn tubs. The acrobats smiled because no one had needed to run after anyone.

After the show, Bongo placed his rings into the basket without being asked.

"A proper helper," Ana said.

Bongo puffed out his chest, then put the clown hat on backward again, long enough to make everyone laugh.