The Monkey and Crocodile

O

NCE, on the bank of a river, a monkey made a home for

himself in a tree laden with fruit. He lived in it happily eating

to his heart’s content the fruit of his choice.

The monkey was happy but lonely and wanted a

companion to talk to and share the fruits with. But there

was no one around, not even another monkey, till one day a

crocodile appeared on the riverside.

“Hello, there,” said the monkey. “Do you live in this river?

Would you like to eat some fruit?”

“Good morning,” replied the crocodile politely. “I did come

here in search of food for myself and my wife. Nice of you to

offer me fruit.”

The monkey plucked some from the nearest branch and

threw them down. The crocodile found them delicious.

“Thanks,” he said. “May I have some on my next visit?”

“Certainly, as many as you like and some for your wife

too,” said the monkey. “Do come again. I’m rather lonely here.”

The crocodile visited the monkey regularly and ate the

fruits which his host threw down. He took some home for his

wife. The monkey and the crocodile were now the best of

friends. They talked and were never tired of talking. They

talked about birds and animals, about the villages nearby

and the difficulties villagers faced in raising good crops

for lack of rain.

One day, the crocodile stayed with the monkey longer than

usual. His wife was annoyed waiting and waiting managing

the little crocodiles that had just been hatched. She said,

“Who is this friend of yours you are so fond of?”

“Oh, he is a very nice monkey,” he replied. “He lives on a

fruit-tree. He sends fruits for you everyday. You don’t expect

me to climb trees, do you?”

“A nice monkey, I’m sure,” replied the wife with obvious

sarcasm. “If you ask me, this monkey should be my food. I

want to eat his heart so much.”

“What a foolish thing to say!” shouted the crocodile. “I

can’t kill a friend, though I won’t mind a monkey occasionally

for a change of taste.”

“You bring him here,” ordered the wife. “I want to see him.”

“So you can eat him. Never!” declared her husband.

His wife was furious and she dived in to hide herself at the

bottom of the river leaving the little ones to pester their father.

The crocodile was in a serious dilemma. He loved his wife

and was very fond of his friend too. Finally, he decided to be

on the side of his wife. She was his life-partner after all. ‘I

know it’s a sin to betray a friend, but I have no choice,’ he

said to himself. ‘I’ll invite the monkey home and hope

for the best.’

“My wife wants you over for a meal, dear friend,” said the

crocodile when he visited the monkey next. “You must come

home with me today.”

“With pleasure,” said the monkey. “I’m no swimmer, but

can ride on your back.” And they set out.

In the middle of the river, where the current was the

strongest, the crocodile could no longer hide his intention.

“Sorry, my friend,” he said hesitatingly, “but I have to go

under water now. I’ve brought you here to kill you. My wife

cannot survive without eating your heart. Good bye.”

The monkey was scared and distressed. But he was sensible

and clever like all monkeys. He kept a cool head. Calmly he

said, “I’d do anything for you and your family. You are my only

friend. After all, what is a monkey’s heart compared with the life

of a crocodile’s wife? But how foolish could you be? Why didn’t

you tell me before? I’d have brought my heart along.”

“But where is your heart?” asked the crocodile innocently.

“I thought you carried it all the time.”

“Of course not. It’s there on the tree. Let’s swim back at

once and get it. Your wife must be waiting,” replied the monkey

gaining confidence.

“Oh dear! What a mistake!” hissed the crocodile. They laughed

loudly as the crocodile took a full turn to reach the tree.

On the river-bank, the monkey

jumped on to the tree and heaved a

deep sigh of relief. He plucked a fruit

or two from the nearest branch and

throwing them down said, “Let your

wife have some fruit rather than my

heart. Fresh fruits are good for mind

and body. Good bye, friend, and if you

don’t mind, we won’t meet again.”

The crocodile, sadder and wiser, shed

a few tears which were genuine and

turned back to go home. He was in a

hurry to tell his wife a thing or two.

(a story from The Panchatantra)