In his infancy he had been placed in the charge of one of the great ladies of the Court , who , according to the prevailing custom , acted first as his head nurse and then as his governess . When he outgrew her care her husband was appointed as his tutor and governor , so that he had never been separated from this excellent couple , who loved him as tenderly as they did their only daughter Zayda , and were warmly loved by him in return . When the Prince set forth on his travels it was but natural that this devoted couple should accompany him , and accordingly he started with them and attended by a numerous retinue . For some time he travelled through his father 's dominions and all went well ; but soon after passing the frontier they had to cross a desert plain under a burning sun . They were glad to take shelter under a group of trees near , and here the Prince complained of burning thirst . Luckily a tiny stream ran close by and some water was soon procured , but no sooner had he tasted it than he sprang from his carriage and disappeared in a moment . In vain did his anxious followers seek for him , he was nowhere to be found . As they were hunting and shouting through the trees a black monkey suddenly appeared on a point of rock and said : ` Poor sorrowing people , you are seeking your Prince in vain . Return to your own country and know that he will not be restored to you till you have for some time failed to recognise him . ' With these words he vanished , leaving the courtiers sadly perplexed ; but as all their efforts to find the Prince were useless they had no choice but to go home , bringing with them the sad news , which so greatly distressed the King that he fell ill and died not long after . The Queen , whose ambition was boundless , was delighted to see the crown on her son 's head and to have the power in her own hands . Her hard rule made her very unpopular , and it was commonly believed that she had made away with Prince Alphege . Indeed , had the King her son not been deservedly beloved a revolution would certainly have arisen . Meantime the former governess of the unfortunate Alphege , who had lost her husband soon after the King 's death , retired to her own house with her daughter , who grew up a lovely and most loveable girl , and both continued to mourn the loss of their dear Prince . The young King was devoted to hunting , and often indulged in his favourite pastime , attended by the noblest youths in his kingdom . One day , after a long morning 's chase he stopped to rest near a brook in the shade of a little wood , where a splendid tent had been prepared for him . Whilst at luncheon he suddenly spied a little monkey of the brightest green sitting on a tree and gazing so tenderly at him that he felt quite moved . He forbade his courtiers to frighten it , and the monkey , noticing how much attention was being paid him , sprang from bough to bough , and at length gradually approached the King , who offered him some food . The monkey took it very daintily and finally came to the table . The King took him on his knees , and , delighted with his capture , brought him home with him .
He would trust no one else with its care , and the whole XXXXX soon talked of nothing but the pretty green monkey .
Court brook charge girl governess moment monkey revolution son travels