once upon a time in the middle of a thick forest flowed a big river
in the middle of the river there was a beautiful island
covered with mango, jackfruit and other fruit trees
a clever monkey lived by himself near the riverbank
he was very strong and was also a good jumper
there happened to be a rock sticking out of the water halfway between the bank and the island
although it looked impossible
clever monkey was used to jumping from the riverbank to the rock and from the rock to the island
he would eat fruits all day
ha these fresh fruits kept me young and energetic
and then return home by the same route each evening thank God for this stone
if it was not here I would not be able to relish each of these tasty fruits
a crocodile couple lived next to the same river
Mr. and Mrs. crocodile
they were expecting their first brood of baby crocks
My dear nowadays I have cravings to eat strange food
I am bored of eating the fish that you bring every day
because she was pregnant Mrs. crocodile wanted to eat different things
so she made unusual demands on her faithful husband
just like the other animals
Mrs. crocodile was amazed at the way the clever monkey jumped back and forth to the island
I wonder how the monkey is managing to go to the other side of the river for the fruits
why do you worry about that? it's not of our business
one day it so happened that Mrs. crocodile tasted a fruit which was floating in the river
ah this fruit is so tasty
I have never ever tasted something like this in my life
nothing can compare to the taste of this fruit come on stop your boasting
listen if this fruit tastes so good
then the monkey who's living on this fruit must be enjoying his meal every day
she developed a sudden craving to eat the heart of the monkey
she told Mr. crocodile about her desire
darling I think the heart of the monkey will be very tasty because it eats only these fruits every day
what the monkey's heart? are you in your senses
do you realise what you are talking about?
I do not know anything I want to eat the heart of the monkey
it's not possible to catch a monkey do you think it is an easy task?
I don't want any excuses
somehow please get me the monkey's heart
to please her, he promised to get the monkeys heart
okay okay I will somehow try to get the heart for you
Mr. crocodile began thinking seriously
are you thinking of a plan?
can I help?
you know I am very good at giving advice
will you please stop and leave me alone to think of a plan
Mr.crocodile thought for some time and suddenly he said
Aha I've got an idea
let me try it out tomorrow morning
now I can sleep peacefully
the next morning Mr. crocodile went swimming near the rock
and lay down on the rock between the riverbank and the island
let me wait here for the monkey to come
he waited for the clever monkey to return that evening planning to catch him
as usual the clever monkey spent the whole day on the island
what a lovely place
oh it's time to return to home bye trees see you tomorrow
the monkey was about to cross the river he noticed that the rock seemed to have grown
it was higher above water than he remembered it
hey I'm noticing something different
something's fishy let me investigate
he investigated and saw that the river level was the same as the morning yet the rock was definitely higher
no no no I should be very very careful
the water level is the same but the rock has increased in size and has come up higher
so let me check
monkey carefully studied the rock
immediately he suspected that the cunning Mr. crocodile was behind this mischief
oh my thank God I was a bit cautious or else by now
I would have been in the heaven talking to my ancestors let me check
to find out for sure he called to the rock
hi there Mr. rock how are you?
he was greeted with silence
again he uttered the same words
on hearing this Mr. crocodile was confused
what? is it possible that this rock can talk now what do I do?
the monkey yelled for the third time
hi there Mr. rock how are you come on speak out
then he shouted
you used to answer me when I spoke to you but today your saying nothing
what's wrong with you Mr. Rock?
have I done anything wrong to offend you?
please speak out
Mr.crocodile thought
no doubt on other days this rock used to talk to the monkey
I suppose it's frightened now because I am lying on it
I can't wait any longer for this dumb rock to speak
I will just have to speak for the rock and trick the monkey
then he shouted
hmm I am fine mr.monkey I am not angry with you
my throat has been infected
that's why I didn't reply for some time what do you want
who are you?
without thinking the crocodile replied
i'm Mr. crocodile
why are you lying there?
I'm waiting to take your heart there's no escape for you Mr. monkey
the clever monkey thought
Aha! he's right there's no other way back to the river bank
I am trapped but somehow I have escaped I have to trick him but how?
Mr. monkey thought for some time
yes I have it I have seen that crocodiles eyes closed when they open their mouth wide
then he yelled
Mr. crocodile my friend it looks like you've got me
so I will give you my heart
open your mouth wide and take it when I come your way
that's good my boy
Mr.crocodile opened his mouth wide and immediately squeezed his eyes shut
when clever monkey saw this
he immediately jumped onto the top of Mr.crocodiles head and then instantly to the river bank
when Mr. crocodile realise he'd been outsmarted he admired monkeys victory
like a good sport in a contest, he praised the winner
he said
Mr. monkey my intention towards you was unwholesome
I wanted to kill you and take your heart just to please my wife
but you only wanted to save yourself and harm no one I congratulate you
saying this Mr. crocodile swam back
when he reached his home Mrs. crocodile learnt what had happened
at first she was angry with him
but when the little ones came they forgot their troubles for a while
the moral is: A good loser is a true gentleman