Wednesday, March 18, 2015
The Monkey and the Crocodile Jataka tales in English
In the river there were many Crocodiles.
A Crocodile watched the Monkeys for a long time, and one day she said to her son:
"My son, get one of those Monkeys for me. I want the heart of a Monkey to eat."
"How am I to catch a Monkey?" asked the little Crocodile.
"I do not travel on land, and the Monkey does not go into the water."
"Put your wits to work, and youll find a way," said the mother.
And the little Crocodile thought and thought.
At last he said to himself:
"I know what Ill do.
Ill get that Monkey that lives in a big tree on the river bank.
He will wish to go across the river to the island where the fruit is so ripe."
So the Crocodile swam to the tree where the Monkey lived.
But he was a stupid Crocodile.
"Oh, Monkey," he called, "come with me over to the island where the fruit is so ripe."
"How can I go with you?" asked the Monkey.
"I do not swim."
"No—but I do. I will take you over on my back," said the Crocodile.
The Monkey was greedy, and wanted the ripe fruit, so he jumped down on the Crocodiles back.
"Off we go!" said the Crocodile.
"This is a fine ride you are giving me!" said the Monkey.
"Do you think so? Well, how do you like this?" asked the Crocodile, diving.
"Oh, dont!" cried the Monkey, as he went under the water.
He was afraid to let go, and he did not know what to do under the water.
When the Crocodile came up, the Monkey sputtered and choked.
"Why did you take me underwater, Crocodile?" he asked.
"I am going to kill you by keeping you underwater," answered the Crocodile.
"My mother wants the heart of a Monkey to eat, and Im going to take yours to her."
"I wish you had told me you wanted my heart," said the Monkey, "then I might have brought it with me."
"How queer!" said the stupid Crocodile.
"Do you mean to say that you left your heart back there in the tree?"
"That is what I mean," said the Monkey.
"If you want my heart, we must go back to the tree and get it.
But we are so near the island where the ripe fruit is, please take me there first."
"No, Monkey," said the Crocodile, "Ill take you straight back to your tree.
Never mind the ripe fruit.
Get your heart and bring it to me at once. Then well see about going to the island."
"Very well," said the Monkey.
But no sooner had he jumped onto the bank of the river than—whisk! up he ran into the tree.
From the topmost branches he called down to the Crocodile in the water below:
"My heart is way up here! If you want it, come for it, come for it!"
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