A new retelling of an ancient Indian fable teaches a new generation about trust, betrayal, and the power of perseverance through wit. Read the complete book with rich colorful illustrations below.

Once upon a time, a kind monkey lived in a tall jambu tree. Below, in the sparkling river, lived a friendly crocodile. They were the best of friends.

Every day, Kiki the monkey would toss sweet, juicy jambu fruits down to Crocky the crocodile. “For you, my friend!” he would chatter happily.

Crocky would take the yummy fruits home to his wife. “From my friend, Kiki!” he would say proudly.

But Crocky’s wife was not happy. She wanted her husband all to herself. “If the fruit is so sweet,” she thought, “the monkey’s heart must be even sweeter!” She pretended to be very sick.

“Oh, dear!” she cried. “The only thing that can make me better is a monkey’s heart!” Crocky was very sad. He loved his friend, but he loved his wife too.

So, Crocky went to Kiki. “My wife wants to meet you!” he said. “Hop on my back, and I’ll take you across the river to our home.”

Kiki was so excited to meet Crocky’s wife! He jumped right onto the crocodile’s back, and off they went. Splash!

Halfway across the river, Crocky told Kiki the truth. “My wife is sick and needs your heart,” he said sadly. Kiki was scared, but he was also very clever.

“Oh, no!” said Kiki. “I left my heart in the tree! We have to go back and get it!” The silly crocodile believed him and turned around.

As soon as they reached the shore, Kiki leaped off Crocky’s back and climbed up his tree. “You can’t have my heart!” he called down. The foolish crocodile swam away, sad and ashamed to have lost his friend.

* © Developed with the assistance of Gemini.ai by Henrik Frederiksen [Founder ElephantTribe.org]

** Original Story from The Patantra: Book IV “Loss of Gains”

Postscripts

Introduction to a Retelling

The timeless fables of the Panchatantra have long served as a moral compass, weaving together cautionary tales and life lessons through the adventures of anthropomorphized animals.

The Panchatantra is an ancient Indian collection of interrelated animal fables in Sanskrit verse and prose, arranged within a frame story. Among these captivating stories, “The Monkey and the Crocodile” stands out as a poignant and enduring classic for all ages.

This tale, which dates back to the 3rd to 5th centuries CE, skillfully uses the friendship and subsequent betrayal between a clever monkey and a greedy crocodile to explore profound themes of wit, trust, deception, and the perils of misplaced loyalty.

Our retelling of this beloved fable aims to breathe new life into its ancient wisdom, reminding us that wit and quick thinking often triumph over cunning and treachery.

A Story That Grows With the Reader

This retelling of “The Monkey and the Crocodile” is truly a story for all ages, offering layers of meaning that grow with the reader.

For our youngest audience, ages 3 and up, the story is a delightful and simple fable. Children will be captivated by the vibrant characters and the exciting journey across the river. They can follow the basic plot of friendship and a clever escape, learning early lessons about being kind and smart.

As children grow, particularly between the ages of 7 and 12, the narrative reveals its deeper themes. At this age, the story becomes a powerful tool for discussing concepts like trust, deception, and the importance of quick thinking. It provides an accessible way to explore why the crocodile’s actions were wrong and how the monkey’s wit saved him, fostering critical thinking and moral reasoning.

For teenagers and adults, the tale resonates on a different, more nuanced level. It serves as a timeless metaphor for the complexities of human relationships and the subtle dangers of greed and betrayal. The story prompts reflection on the nature of loyalty, the consequences of selfish desires, and the value of wisdom over brute force. It’s a reminder of ancient wisdom that remains profoundly relevant in the modern world.