while all this was taking place the monkey was congratulating himself (as the wicked often do before their punishment comes upon them) on all he had done so neatly. he thought it quite a fine thing that he had robbed his friend of all his ripe persimmons and then that he had killed him. still, smile as hard as he might, he could not banish altogether the fear of the consequences should his evil deeds be discovered. if he were found out (and he told himself that this could not be for he had escaped unseen) the crab's family would be sure to bear him hatred and seek to take revenge on him. so he would not go out, and kept himself at home for several days. he found this kind of life, however, extremely dull, accustomed as he was to the free life of the woods, and at last he said: