Curious as a Monkey: Difference between revisions

{{trope}}

 

 

A character, usually a child, who is ''always'' monkeying with things to see how they fit together, or work, or what they are made of. (Always in [[Children Are Innocent|total innocence.]]) Generally found with assorted parts of a now-out-of-commission machine scattered about his feet. Or attempting to find out what the [[Schmuck Bait|Big Red Button]] does. [[Truth in Television]] for anyone who's seen the aftermath of a bored six-year-old with any form of tool.

The [[Wrench Wench]] can show signs of this in the presence of an engine although she usually does less damage. (She may even improve it.)

 

 

Contrast [[Little Jimmy]], who has no characterization except his ignorance.

{{examples}}

 

* [[Yotsubato|Yotsuba.]]

* In [[Bleach]], of all people, {{spoiler|Senbonzakura, Byakuya's Zanpakuto}} is revealed to be this, childishly pressing any button in sight. The difference between {{spoiler|Senbonzakura and Byakuya}} is noted, though it was pointed out that {{spoiler|Byakuya}} acts exactly the same! Just hides that side better.

* The [[Trope Namers|trope-naming]] monkey himself, ''[[Curious George]]''.

* [[Lois McMaster Bujold]]'s [[Miles Vorkosigan]] as a child. Cordelia complains at one point that she didn't even know that a certain machine could come apart.

* In ''Please Don't Eat the Daisies'' by Jean Kerr, this is the defining trait of one of the children a toddler who could "take apart the toaster with a wooden spoon and a drying pan".

* Skysong (Kitten), a young dragon, from Tamora Pierce's ''The Immortals'' series can be this. While on one hand Skysong stayed at a political discussion over exploring a capital city (apparently very interested); Skysong has also been known to open locks to see what is behind them, and was describes as "like a bear in your wardrobe, except a bear doesn't have magic to open locks" if her curiosity is not satisfied.

== [[Tabletop Games]] ==

* The kender in ''[[Dragonlance]]''.

 

== [[Video Games]] ==

 

== [[Web Comics]] ==

* [[Gadgeteer Genius]] Molly in ''[[The Inexplicable Adventures of Bob]]'' pesters people to let her examine any machines they happen to be using. She seems to have a particular fascination with the workings of firearms, even when they're being pointed at her.

* In ''[[Wooden Rose]]'', [http://www.woodenrosecomic.com/comic/comic.html Lillian deduces that the strange child is this, and not evil.]

 

== [[Western Animation]] ==

** Although Dee Dee's behavior occasionally blurs the line as to whether she's genuinely curious about the workings of her brother's varied and sundry inventions, or if she's just using it as a blind to obfuscate the fact that she knows exactly how much damage she's doing, and takes malicious glee in doing so.

 

[[Category:Youngsters]]

[[Category:Information Desk]]