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Looking for a monkey and crocodile story for kids? A monkey conjures up images of mischief and disaster. But not in the sense of intelligence. As a result, the term “smart as a monkey” describes someone stupid or inept. However, research suggests that monkeys are one of the smartest species in the animal kingdom. In reality, monkeys have been shown to use their intellect to get out of difficult or complex circumstances in folktales and fables. The crocodile and monkey story is one such example. This fable of the monkey and the crocodile teaches children important life lessons about trust, friendship, and being cautious with those who may have ulterior motives.
We present an abridged version of this story along with information about the origin of the story and its popularity.
Key Pointers
- The Monkey and Crocodile story is a classic story that can make children understand the idea of sharing and kindness.
- Children learn that kindness and sharing can help unlikely friends come together.
- Children can see from the story how jealousy can lead to harmful consequences.
- This story may help children understand that remaining calm can assist in finding solutions to complex problems.
Monkey And The Crocodile Story
Once upon a time, a clever monkey lived on a berry tree near the banks of a river in a jungle. In the same forest lived a crocodile and his wife. One day, the crocodile wanders deep into the river and comes to rest under the berry tree, on which the monkey lived.
The crocodile, having swum up quite a distance, was tired and hungry. The kind monkey sees that the crocodile is hungry and shares the berries with the crocodile. The crocodile eats the sweet berries, thanks the monkey, and goes back home.
The beginning of a friendship
The crocodile, having enjoyed the sweet berries that the monkey shared, goes back to the tree the next day. The monkey happily shares the fruits from the tree. They spend the entire day talking and eating berries. Soon, the monkey and the crocodile became good friends and began to trust each other.
They started spending more time together, indulging in different adventures, spending their afternoons eating sweet berries, and talking about everything under the sky. One day, the generous monkey sent a few fresh berries for the crocodile’s wife.
Jealous and cunning
The crocodile’s wife listened to her husband talk about the monkey and their friendship, as she ate the sweet berries. But she did not like that her husband spent a lot of time with the monkey. She was jealous.
She thought of a wicked plan and said, “The berries are lovely. I’m happy that you shared them with me. Why didn’t you tell me about it sooner?” And then she added, “If the berries are so sweet, I wonder how sweet the monkey’s heart would be, given that he eats these berries every day?”
The crocodile was aghast at the thought. His wife, however, was insistent. She said “I want you to bring me the monkey’s heart. Get it to me if you want to make me happy”. The crocodile, shocked at the idea of killing his friend, said, “I cannot do that to my friend. He trusts me. I will get you more berries if you like.”
“I don’t want more berries! I just want his heart or nothing. And I won’t eat anything until you bring that to me”, she insisted. Dejected, the crocodile finds himself in a rather difficult situation. Should I kill my friend to please my wife? Or should I save my friend and face the wrath of my wife? Thinking so, he sets out to the river where the monkey lives.
A plan is made
On his way there, the crocodile comes up with a scheme to deceive the monkey and take him home to his wife. The monkey sees the crocodile approaching and greets him. “Hello my friend, I am here at my wife’s request. She loves the sweet berries you sent for her and wants to meet you. She asked me to bring you home for dinner. Would you please accept our invitation and come with me to my home?”
Pleased, the monkey agrees. Since he cannot swim, the crocodile offers him a ride on his back. Trusting, the monkey hops on to the crocodile’s back. Happy to have gained the monkey’s trust, the crocodile swims towards his house. He plans to kill the monkey once they reach the middle of the river, where the monkey cannot escape.
Fools rush in
The crocodile was happy that his trickery worked on the monkey and blurted out the real reason for the invitation. The monkey was shocked but did not panic. He thought quickly and said, “Oh, why didn’t you say so earlier? I am more than happy to give my heart to your wife, but I usually keep it safely in the burrow of the berry tree. We will have to go back and get it if you want to make your wife happy”.
The crocodile foolishly believed the monkey’s words and said, “Oh! Okay. Let’s go back and get it then!” And, swam back to the berry tree as fast as he could. As soon as they reached the bank, the monkey jumped on to the tree and climbed to the tallest branch, away from the crocodile’s grasp and escaped the danger.
“How can I keep my heart outside my body? Go back to your wife and tell her that she has married the biggest fool on this earth! And do not come back here ever. You are the worst friend I have ever had”, said the monkey. Disappointed and embarrassed at how foolish he was, the crocodile swam back home with empty hands.
Moral Of The Story
This story offers multiple interpretations, each conveying significant moral lessons for children.
One moral is ‘Staying calm, and thinking can help you escape any difficult situation’. Another one goes ‘Don’t underestimate yourself. There are bigger fools in this world’. Our favorite one, though, is ‘Quick thinking and intelligence can beat physical strength’.
Origin Of The Story
The story of clever monkey and foolish crocodile is believed to be featured in the Panchatantra, folk tales written by an Indian scholar Vishnu Sharma. These Panchatantra stories for kids are timeless folk tales that teach valuable life lessons through engaging narratives. Variations of the story have been mentioned in other fables or story collections for kids. A story called The Heart of a Monkey by Edward Steere features in the Swahili fairy tale collection. Only in that story, the crocodile is replaced with a shark.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What age group is the monkey and crocodile story intended for?
The monkey and crocodile story is intended for children aged between four and seven years.
2. How can parents use the monkey and crocodile story to teach their children important values?
Parents can teach children to make friends wisely and to be careful about whom they trust. They can also teach children to be calm in stressful situations, which will help them come up with solutions.
Moral stories are ideal for children of growing age to teach them virtues, discipline, and cognitive skills. This classic tale of the monkey and the crocodile is more than a funny story. Here, we come across two completely different creatures befriending each other, one who experienced betrayal by the other. The monkey and crocodile story for kids is a valuable lesson for your children. Narrate this story to your children to show them the power of wisdom and how quick thinking can sometimes overpower physical strength.
Illustration: The Monkey And The Crocodile&039 Story For Your Kid
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Dive into the captivating world of English storytelling with the story of ‘The Crocodile and the Monkey.’ In just three minutes, this enchanting tale will entertain and enhance your little one’s English-learning experience.”
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