The Adventures of Marty the Monkey and Gerard the Giraffe

"The Adventures of Marty the Monkey and Gerard the Giraffe" is a collection of Christian allegory based on the parables of Jesus, written by Richard Milner in early 2003. The story follows the zany adventures of two best friends, a monkey named Marty and a giraffe called Gerard, who encounter and experience different situations and meanings that shape the essence of Christian life. Milner never had a chance to see his stories published nor was he able to finish his earthly adventure, as he went missing while on a hike on July 29, 2003.

An animated version of "The Adventures of Marty the Monkey and Gerard the Giraffe" retitled as " Adventures in Booga Booga Land", first season was adapted and produced in 2006 by [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2091166/ Cliff McDowell] .

"An Allegorial Project and Ascent to Heaven"

The circumstances leading to the ultimate publication of “The Adventures of Marty the Monkey and Gerard the Giraffe" turned out to be much different than originally intended, as Milner entered the next life before he had a chance to see his finished work in published form. [Milner, Richard, “The Adventures of Marty the Monkey and Gerard the Giraffe: the parables of Jesus for all ages”. Eugene, Ore.: ACW Press, 2004. Pg 6] According to the late author's brother David Milner who provided the preface to the book, it was out of Milner's extreme love for life and a love for the One who gave life to all, that made him start the project. [Milner, Richard, Eugene, Ore.: ACW Press, 2004. Pg 6] Many of the characters found in the stories are said to be extensions of Milner's character itself and some of the experiences of Marty and Gerard came to be written directly from some of Richard's own experiences while others are extensions of his desires he would have liked to have experienced if he were given the opportunity. In addition, he wanted to write a book as a gift to offer continual encouragement to those who are living a life of love for their Creator and to those who have not had the opportunity to meet God yet. [Milner, Richard, Eugene, Ore.: ACW Press, 2004. Pg 7] Milner completed the manuscript in early 2003, before going missing during the hiking expedition on the Price Creek Trail headed for Cream Lake, considered by many to be the jewel of Strathcona Park on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Although no one knows what had exactly happened to Milner that day, his family is certain he is with God now. [Milner, Richard, “The Adventures of Marty the Monkey and Gerard the Giraffe: the parables of Jesus for all ages”. Eugene, Ore.: ACW Press, 2004. Backcover] The author's brother David Milner had the adventures published in the year following Milner's death.

Plot Summary

The story begins on the mysterious and colourful island called Booga Booga Land, where in a little town called Toosmallforme, Gerard the giraffe who has grown eighteen feet tall notices that everything is too small and odd for him. Unable to fit into the standards of the town he grew up in, Gerard leaves on a bus for Booga, the capital city of Booga Booga Land. When the bus finally arrives and Gerard sits himself on a park bench, skimming the career section in the newspaper, a little monkey falls from the sky and lands on Gerard. The monkey introduces himself as Marty, and the two of them become inseparable best friends.The 128 paged book contains 23 different stories of their adventures together, each one reflecting a unique parable of Jesus from the Bible, as well as a comment tying story and scripture together.

Setting

Most of the story is set in the fictional land of Booga Booga. The land appears mysterious, filled with lofty mountains, rolling hills, sandy beaches and flowery meadows. The capital city of Booga Booga Land is called Booga. Before moving to the city of Booga, Gerard the Giraffe is seen living in a little town nestled in the hills of Booga Booga Land called Toosmallforme; ("Too small for me" hence Gerard he grows to be 18ft tall starts to find everything to small for him.

List of Chapters

"(For the animation, see episodes in the Animated Series of Adventures in Booga Booga Land)"

1. So...This is Booga
2. Marty's Sandcastle
3. No Light in This Lighthouse
4. The Booga Bolter
5. Squid Sushi Loses His Marbles
6. The Flaming Monkey
7. Wally the Waiter
8. Scatter the Seeds Hither and Thither, Some Will Grow and Some Will Wither
9. Dough!
10. The Big Booga Bank
11. The Duet Brothers
12. Clothes by Marty
13. The 3P2C
14. WannawaWHAT?
15. Building Surfboards, the Slow Way
16. The Boojee Noojee
17. The Boofabobs Face Extermination
18. Slam Pickens Moves to Booga
19. The Runaway Dog
20. Cows in the Courtroom
21. Conquering Mount Neverbin Climbed
22. The Amazing Gaboochi
23. Gloryland

Characters

The following is a listing of the main characters of the story.----Marty the Monkey

Marty the Monkey loves to experience life to the fullest. He has no patience and likes to do things right away, often disregarding safety. He is quick, spontaneous and adventurous soul who truly cares for other people. Through it all, the person he cares the most about is his best friend, Gerard.

Gerard the Giraffe The other main character along beside Marty, Gerard the Giraffe is friendly and easy to get along with. Unlike Marty he tends to be a levelheaded thinker. He is a long, langly and slow moving, thoughtful character who genuinely cares about people, but the person Gerard cares about and looks out for the most is his best friend, Marty the monkey.

Stan

Stan the old man is one of Marty and Gerard's closest friends and they meet him when they go to apply for the window-washing job. Although Stan appears to be stern and level-headed at times, he is positive even in the stickiest situation and cares a lot about his friends, especially Marty, Gerard and Rufus.

Rufus the Dog

Stan's life-long companion who unlike Stan, likes to follow his own instincts and likes to challenge things with good intention but also without thinking too much, which gets him into trouble several times.

The Adventures of Marty the Monkey and Gerard the Giraffe in Film and Television

A children's animation film series based on “The Adventures of Marty the Monkey and Gerard the Giraffe” retitled as Adventures in Booga Booga Land was produced in 2006 by [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2091166/ Cliff McDowell] , with the completion of the first season of the series, consisting of eight episodes on December 31st, 2006. The second season of the adventures of Marty and Gerard is currently in production and is expected to be finished by December 2008.

Editions

Milner, Richard,
“The Adventures of Marty the Monkey and Gerard the Giraffe: the parables of Jesus for all ages”.
Eugene, Ore.: ACW Press, 2004.

Notes

[1] Milner, Richard, “The Adventures of Marty the Monkey and Gerard the Giraffe: the parables of Jesus for all ages”.
Eugene, Ore.: ACW Press, 2004. Pg 6
[2] Milner, Richard, Eugene, Ore.: ACW Press, 2004. Pg 6
[3] Milner, Richard, Eugene, Ore.: ACW Press, 2004. Pg 7
[4] Milner, Richard, Eugene, Ore.: ACW Press, 2004. Backcover

External Links

"Adventures in Booga Booga Land (Animated Version)"
[http://www.amazon.ca/Adventures-Marty-Monkey-Gerard-Giraf/dp/1932124306/ The Adventures of Marty the Monkey and Gerard the Giraffe] (Paperback, on Amazon)