| “ | And I'm a flying monkey. I wasn't born either to fly or to talk, but your grandmother Elphaba brought both capacities out of me. I am the patriarch in a line of creatures that wouldn't exist without your family's interference. Now I can't fly from here to the washtub, but I will use my tongue to give you my mind. You have to figure out on your own how to use your talents. | ” |
| — Chistery, speaking to Rain in “Out of Oz”[src] | ||
Chistery Nikko is the first and head of the winged monkeys in Gregory Maguire's novel series, the Wicked Years. He is a snow monkey found by Elphaba Thropp in the mountains of the Vinkus. Elphaba sews wings onto him and gives him the ability to fly while also teaching him how to speak.
History[]
Wicked[]
Chistery Nikko is an abandoned infant snow monkey who is rescued by Elphaba Thropp, while she was on her way to Kiamo Ko. Later in the novel, Elphaba teaches Chistery to speak, in hopes of completing Doctor Dillamond's study into the supposed connections between all lifeforms. Chistery, however, only manages to mimic what others say. Elphaba also sews wings onto his back and, after the operation proves successful, onto the backs of other snow monkeys; using a combination of Doctor Dillamond's studies and her own practice of magic, thus creating the winged monkeys.
Son of a Witch[]
After Elphaba’s death, Chistery remains at Kiamo Ko with the other monkeys and looks after Nanny. He also has the ability to now speak in full, comprehensible sentences.
Chistery is greeted by Liir after the latter's return to Kiamo Ko. Due to being a flying Animal, Chistery is asked by a dying Swan princess to take her place at a Conference of the Birds that she had called; however, Liir instead decides to take her place.
Out of Oz[]
When the Patchwork Conscience of Oz arrived in Kiamo Ko Chistery still lived there with Nanny and his fellow flying monkeys. It is Chistery and Nanny who tell Rain that she is the one who is meant to save everything. Chistery also grants her ownership of Kiamo Ko.