The monkey and the Crocodile.
In a peaceful forest, a gentle river flowed like a ribbon of silver, reflecting the soft morning sun. Tall trees lined the riverbank, their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. Among these trees stood a magnificent one, its branches heavy with bright, shiny red apples. Birds chirped joyfully, flitting from branch to branch, while butterflies danced over the flowers below. High up on a sturdy branch of this apple tree sat a cheerful monkey, his fur glistening in the sunlight. He loved sitting there, enjoying the view of the sparkling river and the forest that stretched endlessly beyond.
Not far from the tree, a crocodile lay lazily on the warm riverbank. The sun’s rays glinted off his scaly back as he yawned, feeling content yet a little hungry. His eyes wandered across the river to the apple tree, and they caught sight of the red, tempting fruits. “What beautiful apples,” he thought. “I wish I could taste one.” The crocodile’s stomach rumbled as he imagined the sweet, juicy flavor of the fruit. He knew the apples were out of reach, but he decided to wait and watch.
The monkey noticed the crocodile lying by the river and grinned. He loved to share his apples with the forest animals. Climbing down carefully, he picked a ripe, red apple and tossed it gently toward the crocodile. With a loud crunch, the crocodile bit into the apple. “Mmm… delicious!” he exclaimed, his eyes twinkling with delight. From that moment on, the crocodile eagerly awaited the monkey’s daily gifts, and the monkey enjoyed giving them, happy to see a new friend enjoying his apples.
Days passed, and a joyful friendship blossomed between the monkey and the crocodile. The forest echoed with laughter as the monkey swung from branch to branch, tossing apples into the crocodile’s open mouth. Sometimes, the crocodile would float lazily in the river, watching the monkey play. They shared stories, played games, and enjoyed the warmth of the sun together. Their bond seemed unbreakable, and the forest itself seemed to celebrate their unusual friendship.
But not everyone was happy about this friendship. Across the river, the crocodile’s wife watched from the riverbank. Her eyes narrowed as she saw her husband laughing and sharing apples with the monkey. “Why does he spend so much time with that silly monkey?” she muttered, her voice filled with jealousy. A dark thought crossed her mind, and a cruel plan began to form. “I want that monkey,” she said sharply. “I want his sweet heart for myself. Bring him to me!”
The crocodile felt uneasy. He loved his wife but also valued his friendship with the monkey. Torn between loyalty and love, he decided to invite the monkey to his home across the river. “Come with me,” he said gently to the monkey one sunny morning. “I want to show you something beautiful on the other side of the river.” Trusting his friend, the monkey climbed onto the crocodile’s back, and they began to glide across the shimmering water. The sun sparkled on the ripples, and everything seemed peaceful—yet danger quietly loomed.
Halfway across the river, the crocodile’s eyes grew sad and heavy. “I have something important to tell you,” he murmured. The monkey leaned closer, curious but sensing a sudden tension. “My wife… she wants your heart,” the crocodile admitted, his voice trembling. The monkey froze. His heart raced, but he knew panicking would not help. He looked at the river, the branches, and the distant trees, thinking quickly. His mind worked like lightning, and a plan began to form.
The crocodile opened his mouth to apologize, but the monkey acted swiftly. With a sudden leap, he jumped from the crocodile’s back onto a sturdy branch of a nearby tree. “Goodbye, my friend,” the monkey said calmly, though his eyes reflected a mix of sadness and relief. “I cannot be with someone who might betray me.” The crocodile tried to reach him, his tail splashing water angrily, but the clever monkey was too quick. He swung from branch to branch, moving higher and higher, safe from harm.
The crocodile slowly returned to his home, his heart heavy with regret. He realized that jealousy, fear, and pressure had come between true friendship. Meanwhile, the monkey climbed back to his tree, resting on a high branch, breathing deeply, and feeling grateful for his quick thinking. The sun set over the forest, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. The river glimmered in the fading light, and the red apples shone like little jewels, untouched and waiting for another day.
From that day onward, the monkey continued to enjoy his apples and the peaceful forest life. He remembered the crocodile fondly but knew some friendships were tested in ways that could not always be fixed. The forest returned to its calm rhythm, the birds chirped, and the river whispered softly as it flowed. And somewhere in the trees, the monkey smiled, knowing that clever thinking and courage had saved him from danger.
And so, the story of the monkey and the crocodile became a tale of friendship, trust, and wisdom. It reminded everyone in the forest—and everyone who heard it—that while kindness can create bonds, wisdom and courage are just as important to survive and thrive. The gentle river continued its flow, the apple tree stood proudly, and the forest, filled with life, carried the whispers of this story to anyone who listened carefully.
Moral of the story.
“Think smart in danger, choose friends carefully, and never let greed or jealousy control you.”
