The Monkey and the Crocodile

A strong monkey lived beside India’s Ganges River and ate fruit from the trees. He was at home in the forest beside the wide bend of water.

A crocodile in the river had a wife who wanted the monkey’s heart to eat. She asked her husband to catch him.

The crocodile told the monkey that sweeter fruit grew on the other side of the river. He spoke of mangoes and other trees loaded with fruit.

When the monkey asked how to cross the deep water, the crocodile offered a ride on his back. The river was too wide for a simple leap.

The monkey climbed onto the crocodile’s back, but out in the river the crocodile plunged him under the water. The promised pleasant ride had become dangerous.

“Why are you letting me sink?” cried the monkey, and the crocodile admitted that his wife wanted the monkey’s heart. He had offered the ride to catch his passenger.