The Monkey and the Crocodile

A clever monkey outsmarts a crocodile, who tries to betray their friendship to please his wife, and they part ways.

Once upon a time, a clever monkey lived in a tree near a river. One day, a crocodile swam to the tree and asked the monkey for some fruit. The monkey was kind and gave the crocodile some fruits.

The crocodile liked the fruits and came back the next day to ask for more. The monkey agreed, and soon the crocodile came every day for fruits. They became good friends, and the monkey trusted the crocodile.

One day, the crocodile’s wife tried the fruit and loved it. She wanted more and asked the crocodile about it. She became greedy and wanted to eat the monkey’s heart too. The crocodile didn’t want to hurt his friend, but his wife said she would leave him if he didn’t bring the monkey’s heart.

The crocodile made a plan. He told the monkey that his wife invited him for dinner and asked if he wanted to come. The monkey trusted the crocodile and agreed. He climbed on the crocodile’s back, and they started to cross the river.

When they were in the middle of the river, the crocodile told the monkey about his plan. The monkey was scared but very smart. He told the crocodile that he left his heart in the tree and they needed to go back to get it. The crocodile believed him and swam back to the riverbank.

As soon as they reached the shore, the monkey jumped off the crocodile’s back and climbed up his tree. The crocodile realized he had been tricked. The monkey then said that a real friend would never harm another for selfish reasons.

A monkey perched safely in a tree, having just outwitted a crocodile in the river
Text Version
Levels A1B1C1

Audio available for B1 version

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Word Finder
  1. Clever

    Quick to learn or understand; smart.
  2. Fruit

    The sweet and fleshy product of a tree.
  3. Agreed

    Shared the same opinion about something; consented.
  4. Trusted

    Believed someone was honest and reliable.
  5. Greedy

    Having a strong desire for more than needed.
  6. Hurt

    To cause pain or injury to someone.
  7. Invited

    Asked someone to come or join.
  8. Cross

    To move from one side to another.
  9. Scared

    Feeling fear or being frightened.
  10. Selfish

    Caring only about oneself and not others.
Understanding Questions
  1. Where did the monkey live and who did he meet there?
  2. How did the monkey and the crocodile become friends?
  3. Why did the crocodile’s wife want to eat the monkey’s heart?
  4. What plan did the crocodile make to get the monkey’s heart?
  5. How did the monkey escape from the crocodile's plan?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the crocodile tried to trick the monkey?
  2. How did the monkey feel when he learned that the crocodile had deceived him?
  3. Can you think of a time when you or someone else had to think quickly to get out of a tricky situation?
  4. What does this story teach us about friendship, trust, and quick thinking?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story in our own lives to stay alert and use our intelligence during difficult situations?
Fable Quotes

Trust is the fruit of sincerity, sweet when shared but bitter when betrayed.

In the garden of friendship, betrayal is the weed that must never be allowed to grow.

Deception may offer temporary gain, but its price is the loss of trust and true friendship.

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