A monkey doesn't fit in with his relatives the apes, as he doesn't like bananas or swinging in the trees, so he goes off to find a new way to live. He discovers he can walk upright, he takes up residence in a cave, and he gives himself a very close shave. He is lonely on his own, but he amuses himself by inventing things like words and wheels and lawnmowers, by putting up a shelf, until a companion lady comes by.