The Monkey and the Crocodile

Raktamukha, the monkey, lived in a Jamun tree by a river. He would eat the sweet jamun and spend his time happily swinging from one branch to the other. One day, Karalamukha, the crocodile, came to rest under the shade of the Jamun tree. Raktamukha picked some of the sweetest and juiciest jamuns and gave them to him. "Since you are resting under my tree, you are my guest and it is my duty to offer you these.” Karalamukha enjoyed the fruit, thanked the monkey for his hospitality and went home. Karalamukha then started visiting Raktamukha every day and the two became good friends. One day, Karalamukha asked for some jamuns to take home. Raktamukha gladly packed a whole bunch for Karalamukha who took them to his wife and told her about his monkey friend. Karalamukha's wife loved the jamuns. "If these jamuns are so sweet and tasty, the monkey who eats them daily must be delicious! You must bring me that monkey's heart for my meal." Karalamukha was shocked. "The monkey is my friend. How can I bring you his heart?” But Karalamukha's wife would not relent. In the end Karalmukha had to give in.When Karalamukha met Raktamukha the next day he invited him home for dinner. Totally innocent of the crocodile’s evil plan, Raktamukha agreed. "But I can't swim”, he said. “How will I get to your house?" Karalamukha replied, "Don't worry, sit on my back and I'll carry you." When they were in the middle of the river where the water was deep and Raktamukha had no chance of escape, Karalamukha decided to reveal his true intentions. “I lied to you, my friend. I am taking you to my wife because she wants to eat your heart for dinner.” Raktamukha was stunned. His life was in grave danger. He replied quickly, “Oh dear friend, why didn’t you tell me earlier? I would have brought my heart along to offer to your wife but the problem is I am not carrying it with me. I keep it safely in the hollow of the tree where I live”. “Let’s go back and get it,” said Karalamukha. As soon as they reached the shore, Raktamukha jumped off the crocodile and climbed hastily to the top of the tree. After a while, Karalamukha called out, “What is taking you so long up there?” Raktamukha replied, “I am not coming anywhere near you. I managed to fool you and save my life. How can anyone take their heart out of the body and keep it separately? You are no friend. Go away and never return.” The crocodile hung his head in shame and went home.