On the banks of a river, a monkey lived in a jamun tree full of sweet fruit. Every day, he would swing from branch to branch, eating delicious jamuns. One day, a crocodile swam to the tree.

The kind monkey offered him some juicy fruits. The crocodile loved them! He started visiting the monkey every day, and they became friends.

"These fruits are wonderful," said the crocodile. "I must take some home to my wife."

When the crocodile's wife tasted the sweet jamuns, she was very pleased. But then she had a wicked thought.

"If these fruits are so tasty," she said to her husband, "how sweet must the monkey's heart be! You must bring me the monkey's heart to eat."

The crocodile was shocked. "But he is my friend!" he protested.



"If you love me, you will bring me his heart," insisted his wife.

The sad crocodile invited the monkey to dinner at his home, offering to carry him across the river. The trusting monkey jumped onto his back, but as they swam into deep water, the crocodile confessed, "I'm sorry, friend. My wife wants to eat your heart."

The monkey didn't panic. He quickly said, "Oh dear! I left my heart hanging on the jamun tree. Let's go back and get it!"

The crocodile believed him and swam back. As soon as they reached, the monkey jumped to safety in his tree.



"You fool!" said the monkey. "How can anyone leave their heart behind? I was clever enough to save myself from your trick. But true friends don't betray each other."