Panchatantra The Monkey and the Crocodile
Long ago, by a tranquil river, there lived a clever monkey named Raktamukha. He spent his days jumping from branch to branch on a large jamun tree, relishing the sweet fruits and enjoying the view of the sparkling water below.
In the same river lived a crocodile named Karalamukha. One day, Karalamukha saw the monkey eating the ripe jamuns and thought, “If only I could taste those fruits!”
The crocodile said to the monkey, “Friend, will you share some of those delicious fruits with me?” The kind-hearted monkey tossed a handful of jamuns to Karalamukha. This act of kindness blossomed into a friendship, and the crocodile began visiting the monkey every day for more fruit.
The Betrayal
One day, Karalamukha’s wife grew curious about her husband’s new friendship. When she tasted the jamuns, she said, “These fruits are so sweet! Imagine how sweet the monkey’s heart must be. Bring him to me; I want to eat his heart!”
Though Karalamukha hesitated, he eventually gave in to his wife’s demand. The next day, he invited the monkey to his home. “Dear friend,” said Karalamukha, “you’ve shared your fruits with me so generously. Let me return the favor by inviting you to a feast at my home.”
The monkey hesitated but was eventually convinced. He climbed onto the crocodile’s back and they began crossing the river. Halfway across, Karalamukha revealed his true intentions, saying, “My wife desires your heart, and I am taking you to her.”
The Clever Escape
The monkey was shocked but quickly composed himself. “Oh, dear friend,” he said calmly, “you should have told me earlier! I leave my heart in the jamun tree while I climb around. Let’s go back, and I’ll fetch it for you.”
Believing the monkey, the crocodile swam back to the tree. As soon as they reached the riverbank, the monkey leapt to safety. From the treetop, he scolded Karalamukha, “You betrayed my trust, and that is unforgivable. Be gone!”
The crocodile, ashamed of his actions, swam away, never to return.
Moral of the Story
- Always think quickly in dangerous situations.
- Trust, once broken, is hard to rebuild.
- Greed and betrayal lead to loss.
Interactive Elements
- Quiz Questions:
- What was the name of the monkey in the story?
- Why did Karalamukha betray the monkey?
- How did the monkey escape?
- Word Meanings (with Links):
- Relishing: Greatly enjoying something (Discover more about emotions here).
- Composed: Calm and in control (Read tips on staying calm).
- Treachery: Betrayal of trust (Learn about betrayal in relationships).
- Moral Dilemmas:
- If you were the monkey, would you have forgiven Karalamukha? Why or why not?
- What would you do if someone betrayed your trust but apologized later?
- Opinion Prompt:
- “Should we always forgive those who betray us? Share your thoughts at Mystorybook.me.”
Related Stories and Links
- Explore another tale of betrayal: The Lion and the Bull.
- Learn how trust impacts friendships on Psychology Today.
- Enjoy more Panchatantra stories on Mystorybook.me.
Panchatantra The Monkey and the Crocodile
The Monkey and the Crocodile
