The Monkey and the Crocodile

Once upon a time, on the banks of the great river Ganges, stood a tall Jamun tree. Its branches were heavy with sweet, purple berries that tasted like nectar. In this tree lived a lively Monkey named Raktamukha. He was happy and content, eating the fruit and swinging from the branches all day.

One day, a Crocodile named Karalamukha swam out of the water and rested on the sunny bank under the tree. He looked tired and hungry. The kind Monkey saw him. “Hello, friend from the river!” he called out. “You look hungry. Would you like some fruit?” “That would be wonderful,” said the Crocodile. The Monkey threw down bunches of the ripest, sweetest Jamun berries. Plop! Plop! The Crocodile ate them greedily. “Delicious!” he said. “Thank you, Monkey.” From that day on, the Crocodile visited every afternoon. They became the best of friends. They talked about the forest, the river, and their lives. The Monkey always gave his friend fresh berries to take home to his wife.

The Crocodile’s wife loved the sweet fruit. But she was a greedy and wicked crocodile. One evening, while crunching on the berries, she said to her husband, “These fruits taste like honey. Imagine how sweet the heart of the Monkey must be! He eats them every day. His insides must be made of sugar!” “He is my friend,” said the Crocodile, shocked. “I don’t care,” snapped the wife. “I want to eat his heart. If you don’t bring him to me, I will starve myself.” The poor Crocodile was torn. He didn’t want to hurt his friend, but he was afraid of his wife. Finally, with a heavy heart, he agreed.

The next day, he swam to the tree. He looked sad. “Hello, friend!” called the Monkey. “Why the long face?” “My wife is very happy with the fruit,” lied the Crocodile. “She wants to meet you. She has prepared a delicious dinner for you at our house on the island.” “That is very kind!” said the Monkey. “But I cannot swim.” “Hop on my back,” said the Crocodile. “I will give you a ride.” The Monkey happily jumped onto the Crocodile’s rough, green back, and they set off across the wide river.

The water was cool, and the Monkey enjoyed the ride. But when they reached the deep middle of the river, the Crocodile began to sink. “Hey! Watch out!” cried the Monkey. “I will drown!” The Crocodile, feeling guilty, decided to tell the truth. “I am sorry, friend,” he said with tears in his eyes. “My wife doesn’t want to give you dinner. She wants to be the diner. She wants to eat your heart.”

The Monkey was terrified. He was surrounded by water and facing great danger. But he didn’t panic. He thought quickly. “Oh, dear friend!” laughed the Monkey. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? I would love to give my heart to your wife. It is an honor!” The Crocodile was surprised. “Really?” “Yes!” said the Monkey. “But you see, we Monkeys are very careful. We don’t carry our hearts around in our chests. We keep them hanging on the trees so they don’t get wet. My heart is back there on the Jamun tree!”

The foolish Crocodile stopped. “It is?” “Of course,” said the Monkey. “Turn back quickly, or someone else might take it.” The Crocodile turned around and swam as fast as he could back to the bank. As soon as the Crocodile touched the mud, the Monkey leaped off his back and scrambled up to the highest branch of the tree. Zip! He was safe. “You fool!” shouted the Monkey from the top. “How can anyone take out their heart and live? You betrayed our friendship for a wicked wish. Go away and never come back!”

The Crocodile swam away in shame, having lost a true friend and the sweet fruit forever.

Moral of the Story: Presence of mind is better than panic. Choose your friends wisely.