The wise monkey lounged comfortably on a sturdy branch, plucking juicy, purple grapes from the vine above. Below, the river flowed lazily, its surface shimmering like glass. Every so often, the monkey would toss a grape into his mouth, savoring the fruit’s sweetness as he observed the world around him.
The crocodile crept closer, his eyes fixed on the monkey above. He called out, "Good afternoon, my friend! Those grapes look delicious. May I join you for a snack?" The monkey smiled and tossed a few grapes down, watching them bounce off the crocodile’s snout. "Of course! There’s enough for everyone," he replied, his voice warm and inviting.
The crocodile shifted uneasily. He remembered his wife’s sorrowful face, lying weakly at home. Earlier, she had whispered, "If only I could have the heart of a wise monkey, I would be well again." Torn between friendship and duty to his family, the crocodile tried to sound casual. "Monkey, would you like to visit my home across the river? My wife would love to meet you, and I can show you the biggest fruit trees you’ve ever seen," he suggested, forcing a hopeful grin.
The monkey considered the offer, his clever eyes narrowing in thought. "That sounds wonderful! But how will I cross the river?" The crocodile chuckled, "Climb on my back, and I’ll take you safely across," he replied. Trusting his friend, the monkey hopped onto the crocodile’s back, gripping tightly as they set out across the sparkling water.
As they reached the middle of the river, the crocodile sighed heavily and confessed, "Dear monkey, I’m sorry, but my wife is very ill. She believes your heart is the only cure. I have to take you to her." Startled, the monkey kept calm and said, "Oh, my friend, if only you had told me earlier! I left my heart hanging on the grape tree. If you take me back, I can fetch it for your wife."
The crocodile believed the monkey’s story and quickly swam back to the tree. As soon as they reached the shore, the monkey leaped up onto the highest branch, safe among the grapes. "Oh, dear crocodile, everyone knows we can’t leave our hearts behind! It always stays with us. Next time, let’s just enjoy the grapes together as friends," he called down kindly. The crocodile, ashamed but wiser, nodded and promised never to betray a friend again.
