The Monkey and the Crocodile

Dadi: "Guddu, tonight I'll tell you about a clever monkey who outsmarted a crocodile using nothing but quick thinking!"

Guddu: "A monkey and a crocodile? They're so different!"

Dadi: "They were the best of friends, beta! A monkey named Raktamukha lived in a beautiful jamun tree by the river. He had no family, but he was happy. The tree gave him sweet purple jamuns, shade from the sun, and shelter from the rain."

Guddu: "Jamuns are so yummy! I love them!"

Dadi: "One day, a crocodile named Karalamukha swam up the river, tired and hungry. He rested under the monkey's tree. The friendly monkey called down, "Hello friend! You look hungry. Would you like some sweet jamuns?""

Guddu: "The monkey shared his food? That's so nice!"

Dadi: "The monkey was very generous. He threw down the ripest, sweetest fruits. The crocodile had never tasted anything so delicious! From that day, the crocodile visited every day. They would talk, tell stories, and eat jamuns together. They became the best of friends."

Guddu: "I love having friends to share snacks with too!"

Dadi: "One day, the monkey said, "Take some jamuns for your wife!" The crocodile happily carried them home. But when his wife tasted the fruits, her eyes got a wicked gleam."

Guddu: "What did she say?"

Dadi: "She said, "If these fruits are so sweet, imagine how sweet must be the heart of the creature who eats them every day! Bring me the monkey's heart to eat!""

Guddu: "*horrified* She wanted to eat his heart?! That's horrible!"

Dadi: "The crocodile was shocked. "I can't betray my friend!" he said. But his wife was cunning. She pretended to be very sick. "Only a monkey's heart can cure me," she moaned. "If you truly love me, bring me his heart.""

Guddu: "But that's a lie! She wasn't really sick!"

Dadi: "The poor crocodile didn't know what to do. Finally, feeling torn between his friend and his wife, he made a terrible choice. He went to the monkey and said, "My wife wants to thank you for the jamuns! Please come to my home for dinner.""

Guddu: "It's a trap!"

Dadi: "The monkey was happy but said, "I can't swim!" The crocodile offered to carry him on his back. Off they went, into the deep river."

Guddu: "*anxiously* Did the monkey figure it out?"

Dadi: "When they were far from shore, the foolish crocodile confessed everything - about his wife's demand and the plan to take the monkey's heart. The monkey felt his own heart sink with betrayal. But he didn't panic!"

Guddu: "What did he do?"

Dadi: "He laughed! "Oh dear friend, why didn't you tell me earlier? I would have gladly brought my heart! But we monkeys don't carry our hearts inside our bodies. I left mine hanging on the jamun tree! Quickly, let's go back and get it!""

Guddu: "*bursting out laughing* Hearts don't hang on trees! The crocodile believed that?"

Dadi: "The foolish crocodile believed it completely! He turned around and swam back as fast as he could. The moment they reached the tree, the monkey leaped off and climbed to the highest branch!"

Guddu: "He escaped!"

Dadi: "Looking down at the crocodile, the monkey said sadly, "You were the biggest fool to believe me - but you were an even bigger fool to betray a true friend. Go back to your wicked wife and tell her you lost both my heart and my friendship forever.""

Guddu: "The crocodile must have felt so ashamed."

Dadi: "He did, beta. He swam away with his head down, having lost the only true friend he ever had."

Guddu: "Dadi, the monkey was so clever! He stayed calm even when he was scared!"

Dadi: "That's the most important lesson, beta. When you're in trouble, don't panic. Think! The monkey could have cried or tried to fight - but instead, he used his brain and fooled the foolish crocodile."

Guddu: "And also - don't trust people who pretend to be friends but want to hurt you."

Dadi: "Wise words, mera bachcha. True friends never betray you. And if someone asks you to do something wrong, even someone you love, you must say no. The crocodile should have refused his wife's wicked request."

Guddu: "I'll always use my brain when I'm in trouble, Dadi!"

Dadi: "And I know you'll choose good friends who would never betray you. Now sleep, clever little monkey! Tomorrow is another adventure!"