The Monkey and the Crocodile
A monkey lived in a jamun tree by the river and shared its sweet fruit with a crocodile.
They became good friends, and the crocodile carried fruit home to his wife every day.
But his wife grew jealous. "A monkey who eats such sweet fruit must have a very sweet heart," she said.
So the crocodile invited the monkey for a ride and swam far out into the deep river.
Half way across he told the truth. The monkey's heart thumped, but his voice stayed calm.
"My heart? I left it hanging in the tree!" And back they swam, and the monkey leapt safely home.
Keep your head when you are frightened. A calm mind finds the way out.
Presence of MindDid you know?
Jamun trees grow all over India and their purple fruit stains your tongue bright violet.
Try this at home
When you feel scared, take three slow breaths before you say anything.
Questions to talk about
Ask these after reading. The answer is underneath each one.
Where did the monkey live?
Answer: In a jamun tree
How did the monkey escape?
Answer: He said his heart was in the tree
What is the moral?
Answer: Stay calm and think
Bring this story to life
In the Superkids app your child reads this story with pictures, hears it read aloud, answers the questions as a game, and earns stars for every story finished.
Start freeNo card needed.
