Proverbs 7:22-23

Catching Monkeys

A method used by North African tribesmen to catch monkeys. The hunter hollows out a gourd and makes a hole in its side just large enough for a monkey to insert his open hand. Then he fills the gourd with nuts and ties it to a tree. Attracted by the smell of its appealing contents, the monkey reaches inside and grasps the nuts. The hole in the gourd is too small, however, for the animal to withdraw his fist as long as it remains clenched tightly around the cherished delicacies. Refusing to release his prize, the monkey falls easy prey to his captor. If he would only relax his grasp on the desired treasure, he could escape being caught. But because he is unwilling to do this, he is captured by the hunter. Actually, he has trapped himself.