midnight
Now , this shaking process suggested an idea to Tricky -- a very obvious one to you or me , but a real inspiration to a monkey . Tricky noticed that the very part of the rope where he had been gnawing rested against the sharp edge of the rocky ledge , and that one frayed strand had suddenly parted while he was shaking himself . The rock-edge , in fact , was a regular knife , and after much and hard rubbing , and many rests , Tricky found himself within three or four strands of freedom . It was all but midnight when the last strand parted , and in a few minutes more the gallant monkey crawled up the cliff and stood once more at the door of his executioner 's house . I am afraid you will be as much surprised as Tricky was at the startling discovery he made when he got there . The cottage was on fire ! For days , you will remember , there had been no food in the shepherd 's home .