NCERT Book Class 6 English The Monkey and The Crocodile

The Monkey and The Crocodile

• A monkey lived in a fruit tree on the bank of a river.

• He made friends with a crocodile, gave him delicious fruits to eat and sent some for his wife.

• They met regularly and talked — the monkey in the tree and the crocodile on the ground

ONCE, on the bank of a river, a monkey made a home for himself in a tree laden with fruit. He lived in it happily eatingto his heart’s content the fruit of his choice. The monkey was happy but lonely and wanted a companion to talk to and share the fruits with. But there was no one around, not even another monkey, till one day a crocodile appeared on the riverside.

“Hello, there,” said the monkey. “Do you live in this river? Would you like to eat some fruit?” “Good morning,” replied the crocodile politely. “I did come here in search of food for myself and my wife. Nice of you to offer me fruit.”

The monkey plucked some from the nearest branch and threw them down. The crocodile found them delicious. “Thanks,” he said. “May I have some on my next visit?” “Certainly, as many as you like and some for your wife too,” said the monkey. “Do come again. I’m rather lonely here.” The crocodile visited the monkey regularly and ate the fruits which his host threw down. He took some home for his wife. The monkey and the crocodile were now the best of friends. They talked and were never tired of talking. They talked about birds and animals, about the villages nearby and the difficulties villagers faced in raising good crops for lack of rain.

One day, the crocodile stayed with the monkey longer than usual. His wife was annoyed waiting and waiting managing the little crocodiles that had just been hatched. She said, “Who is this friend of yours you are so fond of?” “Oh, he is a very nice monkey,” he replied. “He lives on a fruit-tree. He sends fruits for you everyday. You don’t expect me to climb trees, do you?”

“A nice monkey, I’m sure,” replied the wife with obvious sarcasm. “If you ask me, this monkey should be my food. I want to eat his heart so much.” “What a foolish thing to say!” shouted the crocodile. “I can’t kill a friend, though I won’t mind a monkey occasionally for a change of taste.”

“You bring him here,” ordered the wife. “I want to see him.” “So you can eat him. Never!” declared her husband. His wife was furious and she dived in to hide herself at the bottom of the river leaving the little ones to pester their father.

The crocodile was in a serious dilemma. He loved his wife and was very fond of his friend too. Finally, he decided to be on the side of his wife. She was his life-partner after all. ‘I know it’s a sin to betray a friend, but I have no choice,’ he said to himself. ‘I’ll invite the monkey home and hope for the best.’

“My wife wants you over for a meal, dear friend,” said the crocodile when he visited the monkey next. “You must come home with me today.” “With pleasure,” said the monkey. “I’m no swimmer, but can ride on your back.” And they set out. In the middle of the river, where the current was the strongest, the crocodile could no longer hide his intention.

“Sorry, my friend,” he said hesitatingly, “but I have to go under water now. I’ve brought you here to kill you. My wife cannot survive without eating your heart. Good bye.”

Please refer to attached file for NCERT Class 6 English The Monkey and The Crocodile