How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
When I was seven I had an answer to this question that made sense to me. I never discussed it with anyone, though, for fear of how my mother would feel. I concluded to myself that if I were the hunter, I would shoot the monkey so that it would no longer have the chance to put other hunters in the same predicament. (21.57)
This is Ishmael's answer to the monkey story dilemma and it's actually pretty clever. Whatever he chooses, one of his parents will die. But in the end, Ishmael makes the choice that will help other people. He's spent a lot of time without the freedom to decide, so it's empowering for him to make this mental choice.