
The Clever Monkey
By Zhanna

02 Feb, 2024

Once upon a time, in a dense forest, there stood a huge apple tree. The tree was home to a clever monkey, who loved to play and dance on its branches. This monkey was known for his wit and intelligence throughout the forest.

Not far from the apple tree, a foolish crocodile lived in the river. Despite being feared by many, the crocodile was quite naive and easily manipulated. He was friends with the monkey and would often visit the apple tree.

Every day, the monkey would share the sweet fruits of the tree with the crocodile. They spent their time sharing stories and playing games, strengthening their bond of friendship.

One day, the crocodile's wife got to know about the special friendship and the sweet fruits. She concocted a devious plan to eat the monkey's heart, believing it to be sweeter than the fruits.

The crocodile's wife convinced her husband to invite the monkey for dinner, with the hidden intention of killing him. The foolish crocodile, unaware of his wife's evil plan, agreed to it.

The next day, the crocodile went to the monkey and invited him to his home for dinner. The monkey was thrilled with the invitation and agreed to join him.

To help the monkey cross the river, the crocodile offered to carry him on his back. The monkey gratefully climbed onto the crocodile's back, and they started their journey across the river.

Midway through the journey, the foolish crocodile couldn't hold back his wife's plan any longer and revealed it to the monkey. The monkey was taken aback but quickly regained his composure.

The clever monkey thought on his feet and tricked the crocodile. He said, "Oh, I am sorry, but I left my heart back at the tree. We must go back to fetch it."

The foolish crocodile, believing the monkey's words, turned back towards the apple tree. The monkey's mind was racing with ways to escape from the crocodile's clutches.

As soon as they reached the river bank, the monkey quickly jumped off the crocodile's back. He dashed up his apple tree, relieved to be safe from the treacherous crocodile.

The crocodile was left dumbstruck on the river bank, realizing that he had been tricked by the monkey. He felt foolish for betraying his friend and for believing such a lie.

From the safety of his tree, the monkey shouted down to the crocodile, "You thought you could fool me, but it is you who have been fooled!" He then vowed never to trust the crocodile again.

The monkey continued to live happily on his apple tree, enjoying the sweet fruits and playing his merry games. He learned a valuable lesson about trust and betrayal.

As for the crocodile, he returned home disappointed and empty-handed. He felt regret for his actions and the loss of his friend. He too learned a lesson, albeit a hard one.

The crocodile's wife was furious at her husband's failure. She had lost the chance of tasting the monkey's heart and learned a bitter lesson about greed and deceit.

The tale of the clever monkey and the foolish crocodile spread throughout the forest. The other animals praised the monkey's wit and admonished the crocodile's foolishness.

The monkey's cleverness became a legend in the forest. The young ones were told his story, teaching them the importance of quick thinking and the danger of trusting easily.

The crocodile was left with nothing but regret and a tarnished reputation. He was a stark reminder of the consequences of betrayal and foolishness.

The forest went back to its peaceful routine, but the story of the clever monkey and foolish crocodile was never forgotten. It was a tale of friendship, betrayal, wit, and lessons learned.

The monkey's cleverness had saved him, and the crocodile's foolishness had cost him. In the end, it was wisdom that prevailed, teaching everyone a valuable lesson.

And so, the monkey continued his happy life on the apple tree, more cautious but still playful. And the crocodile, well, he was just a reminder of a friendship that could have been.

The tale of the clever monkey and the foolish crocodile is a timeless reminder. It teaches us the importance of quick thinking, the value of true friendship, and the dire consequences of betrayal.

So, let us remember, it's not just the strength, but the mind that makes one truly powerful. And the clever monkey, with his quick wit, was indeed the most powerful in the forest.

And thus, the tale ends, not with a 'The End', but with a lesson for all, a lesson about the power of intelligence and the importance of true friendship.