Greg Lilley had not had an easy time in his first nine years of life. He disliked being an only child because he longed for someone to play with. His parents, Mike and Stacey were always busy with their jobs. He had never had a proper birthday, like all his friends, with a party or presents he ACTUALLY wanted. ALL Greg ever wanted was a pet monkey. He did have a parrot, an annoying one, called Squawky (his Mum had wanted it, not him) but that was not what Greg wished for more than anything in the world. It was Greg’s tenth birthday the following week and he was hoping, once again, that he would receive a monkey. He dreamed of having a little friend to play with and something to hug at night..

The day of Greg’s birthday had arrived and he got up extra early. He didn’t even bother to get dressed. Rushing down stairs, Greg ate his breakfast (strawberry jam on toast) as fast as he could. His mum and dad were fast asleep up stairs but Greg was desperate to ask where his present were – he was bursting with excitement so he decided to go and wake his parents. Greg clambered up the stairs noisily and because of this he woke his parents. After taking ages to get out of bed, Mick and Stacey went down stairs with Greg. “Dad, where's my present?” Mick replied, “Happy birthday son but I can’t tell you until tea my dear.” “Okay,” mumbled Greg with his head lowered in disappointment. Greg asked dad if he could have some friends over. “ I have never had friends over dad.” “Okay then,” said dad, “But you better tidy your room though.” After Greg had tidied his room, his friends, Jimmy, Fred and James arrived to play on the PS3. Greg said to himself, “This is the best birthday ever. I bet you I’ll get a monkey.” Soon the day was over and Greg’s has birthday past. He did NOT get his monkey.

A week has gone by and Greg's birthday present had still not arrived. Greg stayed in bed for the whole evening dreaming about the monkey. At that moment, Greg heard something pulling into the drive so he rushed down stairs. “Hey Greg, come here mate!” shouted his Dad from his truck as he was struggling to get a massive box from the back. Greg helped his Dad bring the box into the kitchen. Greg hoped that the box contained a monkey. At the top of the box there were air - holes and there were strange little squeaking noises coming from inside it. Jumping up and down Greg was determined to open the box. Greg grinned a big cheesy smile and helped his dad open it. ”MONKEY” screamed Greg. The monkey had sparkling blue eyes a soft as silk tail an overly brown head and rufe feet it just fell apart Greg watched he just gave it a big hug. Greg called the monkey charley, Greg played with monkey all evening. It was past Gregs bed time. You would think that Greg couldn't sleep but Greg could sleep because the monkey was right beside him all night.

Tuesday evening (the next day) Charley and Greg went to mouse hold forest (about one mile away) they both went North side of mouse hold.to have some fun. Greg found a another monkey called Luke they became best friends they played together everyday. They all play climbing trees playing it all sorts of fun games they even went to zak’s. It was all great fun. But by now it was time to go home Greg didn't really want to go home he liked playing games with look and charley. But the good thing was Greg got to sleep with charley. Several days latter the boys went out to the forest again to play with Luke but Luke was missing they searched all day they found nothing

Searching and searching all night Greg and charley ardently found look he was stack under a tree, Luke was bleeding and he needed emergently treatment the fire brigade too, to get him of the tree they called 999 Greg didn’t want to search but he new he had to,it was cold Two days later LUKE WAS DEAD Greg cried for a hole week but least he had charley the monkey.

Greg soon got over that Luke was dead but charley didn’t. Charley didn’t have a friend monkey in his life any more. Charley’s heart was broken.