The Monkey and The Crocodile

Once, a clever monkey lived in a tree that had juicy, red rose apples. He was very happy. One day, a crocodile swam towards that tree and told the monkey that he had traveled a long distance and was searching for food as he was hungry.

The monkey, feeling kind, offered the crocodile a few rose apples. He enjoyed eating them and asked the monkey if he could come again for some more fruits. The generous monkey agreed happily.

The next day, the crocodile returned and had the fruits. It started to come every day after that. Soon, both became very good friends. They discussed their lives, friends, and family. The crocodile told the monkey that he had a wife, and they lived on the other side of the river.

The kind monkey offered him some extra rose apples for the crocodile’s wife. She loved the rose apples and asked her husband to get her some fruits daily.

The friendship between the monkey and the crocodile continued and deepened as they spent more time together. The crocodile’s wife started to get jealous. She thought to put an end to their friendship.

She acted like she could not believe her husband could be friends with a monkey. The crocodile tried to convince her that he and the monkey were in a true friendship. The crocodile’s wife thought that if the monkey lived on a diet of rose apples, his flesh would be very sweet. She told the crocodile to invite the monkey to their house.

The crocodile was not feeling good about this. He tried to make an excuse saying it would be difficult to get the monkey across the river. But his wife decided to eat the monkey’s flesh. So, she planned something.

One day, the crocodile’s wife pretended to be very ill and told the doctor that she would only recover if she ate the monkey’s heart. If the crocodile wanted to save his wife’s life, he must bring his friend’s heart.

The crocodile did not know what to do and was in a dilemma. He loved his friend on one side and could not let his wife die on the other hand. The crocodile’s wife threatened him, saying she would surely die if he did not get the monkey’s heart.

Without any choice, the crocodile swam to the rose apple tree and invited the monkey to come to their home. He said the monkey could ride across the river on the back of the crocodile. The monkey agreed happily.

The crocodile started to sink as they reached the middle of the river. The frightened monkey questioned the crocodile why he was doing that.

The crocodile explained that he must have to kill the monkey to save his wife’s life. The clever monkey thought for a while and said that he would happily give up his heart to save the life of the crocodile’s wife. But, he has left his heart behind the rose apple tree. He asked the crocodile to turn back so the monkey could get his heart from the apple tree.

The silly crocodile swam back to the rose apple tree quickly. The monkey immediately climbed up the tree for safety. He told the crocodile to tell his black-hearted wife that she had married the biggest fool in the world. The crocodile knew it had been tricked and returned home feeling ashamed of his actions.

Morals of the monkey and the crocodile story

1. Never underestimate yourself. There are several bigger fools in this world
2. A quick wit can solve most problems. Choose your friends wisely.
3. A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend.