The Clever Monkey and the Crocodile
In a lush Indian jungle, there lived a clever monkey named Raja. He was known for his quick wit and mischievous nature. He spent his days swinging through trees, chattering with fellow monkeys, and enjoying the bounties of the forest.
One day, as Raja was munching on ripe fruits by the riverbank, he heard a polite voice call out, “Excuse me, dear monkey. I am Mangal, the crocodile. Would you be so kind as to share some of those delicious fruits with me?”
Raja looked at Mangal, assessing the situation. He had heard tales of crocodiles tricking unsuspecting animals, but he didn’t want to be rude. So, he replied, “Of course, dear crocodile. But my fruits are high up in the trees. I can’t swim. Could you take me across the river so I can fetch them for you?”
Mangal agreed and carried Raja on his back to the opposite bank of the river. Raja quickly climbed a tree and plucked the juiciest fruits, tossing them down to Mangal. As Mangal relished the treats, he praised Raja’s generosity.
Days turned into weeks, and Raja and Mangal developed a deep friendship. Every day, Mangal carried Raja across the river, and Raja shared his fruits with Mangal and his family. They laughed, shared stories, and found joy in each other’s company.
Mangal’s wife, however, grew envious of their bond. She wanted to taste the delicious monkey herself. She approached Mangal one day and said, “Dear husband, Raja’s heart must be as sweet as those fruits. Bring me his heart to eat.”
Mangal was torn between his friendship and his wife’s demand. He decided to confide in Raja about his wife’s wishes. Raja, though hurt, knew he had to think quickly. He said, “Dear Mangal, I understand. But my heart is at home, tied to a tree. I can show it to you if you promise to keep an eye on my friend, so he doesn’t run away.”
Mangal agreed, and Raja climbed a tree, tying one end of a vine around his waist and the other to a branch. He tossed the vine down, saying, “Here’s my heart, dear friend. Hold on to the vine so I can show it to you.”
As Mangal grabbed the vine, Raja shouted, “Now pull me up so you can see my heart up close!” Mangal, pulling with all his might, failed to realize that Raja was scampering up the tree instead of being pulled down.
Raja quickly reached a safe height and laughed, “My dear friend, you’ve been tricked! A monkey’s heart belongs in the trees, not on a plate.” Mangal realized his mistake and apologized sincerely.
From that day on, Mangal and his family were ashamed of their greed, and their envy turned into admiration for Raja’s intelligence. Raja continued to share his fruits with them, and their friendship grew stronger.
The story of the clever monkey and the crocodile became a popular tale in the jungle, reminding everyone that true friendship is based on trust and loyalty, rather than deceit and selfishness.