The Wonders of God’s Creation
There are about 125 species of monkeys in the world. Here is a short summary of three of them all natives of South America.
The capuchin monkey, with its foot-long tail, is a rather pretty blackish or golden-olive color, with a white-bordered face and breast. It is one of the most clever, full of pranks, and quickly makes friends with people as well as with dogs and other animals. Little ones ride on the mother’s back as she scrambles through the trees.
Many years ago these monkeys were useful to organ-grinders who earned a scanty living in the streets with their hand organs. The capuchin, held on a long leash, climbed up to balconies and upstairs windows with a tin cup in which people dropped money and which it then brought back to its master.
Then there is the spider monkey, dressed in long, black or sometimes red, glossy hair. It is somewhat larger than the capuchin, with long, sprawling legs and arms, which account for the name spider. However, its long limbs give it an awkward walk — its front forepaws point outward and the hind ones point inward.
Its two-foot-long tail is like an extra hand, with ability to grip limbs tightly so that its body can hang from a tree limb while it searches for food or just enjoys a good swing. It sometimes uses its flexible tail to hook insects out of holes that are too deep for its hands to reach. The spider monkey is also quite an acrobat and easily carries its little ones on its back as it runs among the branches of the tall trees.
Another is the short-tailed red Uakari, about the size of a cat. Its coat of long, red, silky hair covers its entire body, including a stubby tail, but its face, like that of nearly all monkeys, is bare. They are full of mischief, but very strict in training their young. When angry or excited, their faces turn scarlet, their fur rises up, and their cries sound like insane laughter.
These spry little animals always amuse us with their monkeyshines, but are at the same time an example of God’s creatures that seem to enjoy His goodness to them. We do not expect them to know about the Creator’s care, but the Bible gives us repeated reminders of His care over all living things — and more particularly over each of us, as we read in Job 12:1010In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:10) — “In whose hand is the soul [life] of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” What love He has shown us, and not only in caring for our needs! He provided His Son, the Lord Jesus, to bear on the cross the sins of all who trust in Him, so that when our life on earth is over we will be in the delights of heaven with Him. Will you be there?
ML-02/21/1988