The Monkey and the Crocodile

In a lush forest by a wide river lived a clever monkey named Vik. He made his home in a magnificent jamun tree that grew near the water’s edge. The tree was always heavy with sweet purple fruits, providing Vik with endless meals throughout the seasons.

One hot summer day, a crocodile named Kral swam up to the riverbank beneath Vik’s tree. Exhausted from the heat, he rested in the cool shade. Vik, who was naturally friendly, called down to the visitor.

“Welcome, friend! You look tired from the scorching sun. Would you like some sweet jamun fruits to refresh yourself?”

The crocodile looked up in surprise. “That would be most kind,” he replied.

Vik plucked the ripest fruits and tossed them down to Kral, who found them delicious. “These are the sweetest fruits I’ve ever tasted,” the crocodile exclaimed.

From that day forward, Kral visited Vik regularly. The monkey always shared his fruits, and they spent many pleasant hours in conversation. A true friendship seemed to blossom between them.

One evening, Kral returned home later than usual. His wife questioned him about his daily disappearances.

“I’ve made friends with a generous monkey who lives in a jamun tree by the river,” Kral explained. “He gives me the most delicious fruits every day.”

“How wonderful!” his wife replied. “If the fruits are so sweet, imagine how sweet the monkey’s heart must be! Someone who eats such fruits daily must have the most delectable heart. You must bring it to me!”

Kral was shocked. “But he’s my friend! How could I betray him?”

“If you truly loved me,” his wife insisted, “you would bring me this special treat. A monkey’s heart that has been nourished on sweet fruits would be the greatest delicacy.”

Troubled but unable to refuse his wife, Kral returned to the jamun tree the next day with a heavy heart.

“Friend Vik,” he called up to the monkey, “my wife has heard so much about you and wishes to meet you. Would you do me the honor of coming to dinner at our home?”

Vik was flattered but hesitant. “I’m grateful for the invitation, but I cannot swim. How would I cross the river to your home?”

“That’s no problem at all,” Kral replied smoothly. “Just climb onto my back, and I’ll carry you safely across.”

Trusting his friend, Vik jumped down and climbed onto the crocodile’s back. As they reached the middle of the river, Kral began to sink lower in the water.

“What are you doing?” Vik cried in alarm, clinging to the crocodile’s rough scales.

Overcome with guilt, Kral confessed the truth. “Forgive me, friend. My wife desires your heart, believing it to be sweetened by all the jamun fruits you’ve eaten. I’m taking you to be her meal.”

Instead of panicking, Vik thought quickly. “Oh, dear friend! Why didn’t you tell me this earlier? I would gladly give my heart to your wife. But there’s one problem – we monkeys don’t keep our hearts inside our bodies. It’s our custom to leave them hanging on the trees where we live. My heart is still hanging on my jamun tree. Let’s go back so I can fetch it for your wife.”

The crocodile, not very bright, believed this tale and quickly turned around. “I had no idea monkeys could remove their hearts! Please forgive my ignorance.”

When they reached the riverbank, Vik leaped from Kral’s back and scampered up his tree to safety. From a high branch, he looked down at the bewildered crocodile.

“Learn this lesson well, foolish friend,” Vik called down. “Never betray someone who has shown you kindness. And never believe that a living creature can survive without its heart!”

Kral, realizing he had been outwitted, hung his head in shame. “You are right, Vik. I betrayed our friendship for a selfish reason. I deserve your scorn.”

“True friendship is built on honesty and respect,” Vik replied. “Remember that some bonds, once broken, can never be repaired.”

The crocodile returned home, where he finally stood up to his demanding wife. And Vik, though saddened by the betrayal, continued to live happily in his jamun tree, though he became much more careful about choosing his friends.