Never Ask a Monkey Why

I brought my clock to Mr. Chimp,
The smartest in the land.
I placed it on his office desk.
"Could you lend me a hand?"

A thoughtful look took hold of him,
He hooted his consent,
or so I thought that's what he said.
I'm not sure what he meant


"My question is why does it tick?
Reply was furrowed brow,
He pointed at the inner cogs.
"Already know the how."

He smashed my watch upon the ground
with a remorseless stare.
Then grabbed a piece with zealous joy.
"Already know the where."

A look of terror grasped his face,
he knew not what to do.
He then showed me the maker's name.
"Already know the who."

He swept the tenants of his desk:
a mad search for a pen,
with which he tapped out intervals.
"Already know the when."

So he took his chair and hit me.
A black eye and a limp
were all I had to show for it.
"Last time I ask a chimp."