The Monkey and the Crocodile

 

Once upon a time, on the lush banks of a sparkling river, there lived a clever monkey named Kapi. Kapi made his home in a magnificent Jamun tree (rose apple tree) that bent low over the water. The tree was famous for its fruit—deep purple, plump, and as sweet as honey.

One sunny afternoon, a large crocodile named Karala crawled out of the river to rest on the soft sand.

"Hello there, Mr. Crocodile!" Kapi chirped from a high branch. "You look tired and hungry. Would you like to taste some of my Jamun fruits?"

Karala looked up, surprised. "That is very kind of you, little monkey. I am indeed quite famished."

Kapi plucked a handful of the ripest fruits and tossed them down. Karala gobbled them up. "Oh!" the crocodile exclaimed. "These are the most delicious things I have ever tasted!"

The Growing Friendship

From that day on, Karala visited the tree every afternoon. The two became the best of friends. They would spend hours talking—Kapi telling stories of the forest, and Karala sharing secrets of the deep river.

Every day, Karala took some extra fruit home to his wife. But the crocodile’s wife was not as kind as her husband. She was greedy.

"If this monkey eats these sweet fruits every single day," she whispered to Karala one night, "imagine how sweet his heart must be! I want to eat the monkey's heart, Karala. You must bring him to me."

Karala was horrified. "But he is my best friend! I cannot betray him."

The wife turned away and grumbled, "If you do not bring me his heart, I shall stop eating until I die!"

The Invitation

Feeling trapped and heartbroken, Karala swam back to the Jamun tree the next morning.

"Kapi!" he called out, his voice shaking slightly. "My wife is so happy with the fruits you send. She has prepared a grand feast today and wants to thank you in person. Will you come to our home for dinner?"

Kapi was delighted. "I would love to! But friend, I am a creature of the land. I cannot swim across this wide river."

"Do not worry about that," Karala replied quickly. "Just hop onto my back, and I will carry you across safely."

Kapi swung down from the branches and landed softly on the crocodile’s broad, scaly back. "Let’s go!" he cried.

The Secret in the Waves

As they reached the middle of the river, where the water was deep and the current was strong, Karala began to sink lower into the water.

"Wait! Karala!" Kapi shouted, getting splashed. "The water is getting too high! Why are you going so deep?"

Karala sighed, his conscience heavy. "Forgive me, Kapi. There is no dinner party. My wife wants to eat your heart. She believes it will be as sweet as the Jamun fruits. I am taking you to her now."

Kapi’s heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird. He was terrified, but he knew he had to stay calm and use his wits.

"Oh, Karala!" Kapi said with a long, dramatic sigh. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? I would be honored to help your wife. But there is a big problem."

Karala paused. "A problem? What is it?"

"Well," Kapi said, sounding very worried. "We monkeys don’t keep our hearts inside our bodies. They are far too precious! We keep them tucked away in the hollows of our trees for safekeeping. I left my heart back on the Jamun tree!"

Karala blinked his big, yellow eyes. "You did? Truly?"

"Of course!" Kapi urged. "If we go to your wife now, she will be so disappointed because I am 'heartless.' But if you take me back, I can fetch it quickly, and then we can go back to your home."

The Escape

The foolish crocodile believed every word. "You are right! We must have the heart." He turned around and swam as fast as he could back toward the bank.

The moment they reached the shore, Kapi didn't wait for Karala to stop. He scrambled off the crocodile’s back and leaped into the highest branches of his Jamun tree. He climbed until he was safe and sound, then looked down at his former friend.

"You silly, greedy crocodile!" Kapi shouted. "Does anyone ever keep their heart outside their body? My heart is right here, and it’s telling me that a true friend would never try to hurt another."

Karala hung his head in shame. "I... I was wrong, Kapi."

"Go away, Karala," Kapi said firmly. "Our friendship is over. You may have a big body, but you have a very small mind—and an even smaller heart."

Karala swam away, sad and empty-handed, while Kapi stayed safe in his tree, enjoying his sweet fruits and his hard-earned freedom.

The Moral of the Story: A quick wit can save you from the greatest of dangers, and a false friend is more dangerous than an open enemy.