The Monkey & the Crocodile — A Tale of Wit

A Sweet Friendship Begins

नद्याः तटे एकः विशालः जम्बुवृक्षः आसीत्। तस्मिन् वृक्षे रक्तमुखः नाम मर्कटः वसति स्म। सः प्रतिदिनं मधुराणि जम्बुफलानि खादति स्म। एकदा नदीतः करालमुखः नाम मगरः आगतः। मर्कटः प्रेम्णा तस्मै मधुराणि फलानि अददात्। "मित्र! प्रतिदिनम् आगच्छ!" इति मर्कटः सहर्षम् अवदत्। तदा द्वयोः मध्ये मधुरा मैत्री आरब्धा।

On the bank of a wide river stood a vast jamun tree. In that tree lived a monkey named Raktamukha. Every single day he feasted on its sweet, ripe jamun fruits. One day, from the river emerged a crocodile named Karalamukha. The monkey, full of warmth, gave him the sweetest fruits he could find. "Friend! Come back every day!" said the monkey with delight. And just like that — a sweet friendship was born between the two.