Fire Monkey

Lunar New Year fell on Feb 12. Anyone born before that date belongs to the previous year (Goat).

Monkeys think faster than they talk and talk faster than they act. They can explain something complicated in three sentences and find the most interesting person in any crowd within minutes. Rules read to them as defaults: route around if possible, comply only when cornered. They come off as quick, funny, restless. What is hidden is that jokes are often a lid, and the loudest laugh in the room may be sitting on top of the least certain feeling. They are also the friend who fixes your phone, then explains the joke you missed three days ago.

A fire at the foot of the hill, rock right beside it, flames running along the ground instead of climbing. People like this are quick in the head and quick in the hands; the liveliness sits low and they are happy to stay low. Whatever they start gathers a small crowd around it, warm at close range and easy to singe. Asked to explain, they cannot; they know which stone to turn and which crack to fill, and start before the sentence.