Monkey goes to school... but never without toys

Residents of a small Saudi town are gradually shedding their fear and getting used to the presence of new dweller - a monkey.

Since it strode into their village more than five months ago, the residents of Althaqba near the eastern town of Khobar have not seen the alien hurt any one. But they have noticed its love for toys and schools. The stray monkey has made the village’s school its home, leaving it only to search for food. But hunger never made it forget his love of toys.

“We always see this monkey clutch a toy in its hand as it moves around and jumps on roofs…it has been here for more than five months and has taken the school as its home,” said Abu Ahmed, quoted by the Saudi daily 'Alyoum'.

“We have been worried that it might hurt any one but it has never done so…it loves toys as it has stolen children’s toys from some houses."We have phoned the authorities many times but all of them said it was not their business…it seems it is a stray monkey as no one has claimed it.”