The Monkey and the Crocodile

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Come sit beside me, my dear, and let me tell you a story about a clever monkey and a very foolish decision. On the bank of a wide river lived a friendly monkey who had a favorite tree, full of the sweetest, juiciest fruits you could imagine. Every day, a crocodile would visit, and the kind monkey would share his delicious fruits with him. Before long, the two became the very best of friends.

But one day, my darling, something troubling happened. The crocodile's wife heard all about the monkey's kind and generous heart, and — feeling greedy — she told her husband that she wanted to eat the monkey's heart, believing it must taste just as sweet as the fruits he shared. Can you imagine asking that of your own husband? The poor crocodile felt terribly sad, but he loved his wife, so he invited the monkey to climb on his back and cross the river to meet her.

Halfway across the water, the crocodile couldn't keep the secret any longer, and he confessed the truth. Now, what do you think quick-thinking monkey did? He didn't panic at all. Instead, he said, 'Oh dear friend, I'm so sorry, but I left my heart hanging safely on my tree! Hearts are far too precious to carry around, you know. Let's turn back and fetch it.' The foolish crocodile believed him completely and swam straight back to shore. And the very moment they reached land, the monkey leapt up into his tree to safety, and never trusted the crocodile again. His quick thinking had saved his life, my dear — and that's why we must always think carefully before we act.