Pan (Pankun) is a chimp who is capable of doing things a small child can do. He’s famous all over Asia, and even had his own show. Pan would go on his errands and adventures with his travelling companion, a bulldog by the name of James. His owner would follow behind at a distance like a crazed stalking parent with crazy eyes.
Pan and James have done so many things, following instructions told him by his owner. Pan learns by example and is the able to operate basic tools, understands how the Tokyo subway system works, even makes his own noodles. He’s amazing. He even knows how to budget, better than many people I know.
James, ever patient and chilled, just seems to happily go along as Pan’s travelling companion, subject and often baggage carrier. Well, he’s patient until there’s food involved, then, he’s only willing to be patient for a bit.
Pan has long retired from his show, however, he now resides in a zoo, where he continues to perform for visitors. I don’t know how I feel about this. I didn’t know how I felt about it when I first encountered Pan and James all those years ago. But I couldn’t stop watching them on youtube. I ended up showing them to everyone I knew.
In these two clips, you will see for yourself how incredibly special Pan and James are. Ignore the annoying Chinese narrator and canned laughter, you quickly get the gist of what’s going on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjtbIrrwCbA
Pan is tasked with buying bird food for his friend the parrot. He’s given 1000 yen, and told that with the change he can buy something that he wants. He’s very excited at the prospect of this. With a new purse, Pan takes off with James to the pet store.
On the way, they encounter a fast food outlet, which both boys long for, but Pan persists and moves them forward. He then stops at a fruit shop, then moves forward towards to the pet store.
Upon their arrival, they start exploring around the pet store like children would, checking out the different animals on display. Pan is taken by the puppies, James is stand-offish, after all, he’s the cutest dog there ever is. But after a while, James gives up on being uncaring and sees for himself what all the commotion is about. They explore the cats and various fish displays together.
James, smelling dog food, rushes towards it, dragging Pan behind him. And it’s there that they encounter the bird food. Pan, shows his incredibly memory skills and picks the right bird food, after much deliberation. It almost appears as though he’s short sited.
Pan pays for the feed, pockets the change of 500 yen. He tries to put the bag of feed into James bag, but the food is too large. He’s forced to drag the plastic bag home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pmYq922HQc
On the way home, James starts to drag Pan, running towards the destination which he most favours, now that they’ve completed their mission.
The takeaway store. Pan initially wants to purchase food from there, but upon reflection, decides against it. It is here that James retaliates and the two struggle. The 500 yen coin falls and rolls under the elevated makeshift building. Both Pan and James search for the join, Pan cannot reach it, and off James runs.
Pan searches for a tool to use, so he can get the coin out. It is absolutely ingenious. He’s persistent and patient as he slowly works on getting the coin back. When he finally does, he finds James scabbing food from two young women.
Pan takes James to the fruit store, he buys them grapes instead. That’s why he saved his money. The grapes cost him 400 yen.
On the home stretch now, Pan is tired and decides to go into the park for a rest. It is there that they encounter a problem. The bag has torn and a large majority of the feed has fallen out behind them.
When the realisation sinks in, both Pan and James are distraught. Pan, realising that there’s not much he can do about the spilt feed, he packs up the feed into James bag and heads home.
It is absolutely amazing how evolved Pan is compared to some of the adults I know. He’s learnt that you must first complete the task at hand before you go about doing something else. You must spend your money accordingly and wisely. He’s learnt to solve problems which may arise, to think outside the box and not give up. He’s also learnt that there’s no use crying over spilt milk, or in this case, spilt bird feed. You’ve tried your best, mull over your mistake, but move on.
These two are absolutely amazing.
Ranter & Banter 