An animals story retold from an old Buddhist fable.
Under five minute story for beginning readers.
Riku the Monkey loved his home, a big, leafy mango tree. It shaded him from the hot sun, gave him delicious fruit, and, best of all, it sat right beside a wide, sparkling river. Riku would swing down and splash at the water’s edge every morning to wash his face. It was the best home a monkey could want, except for one problem: crocodiles.
Hidden beneath the water’s ripples lived a family of crocodiles. Now, Chomper was the most enormous Crocodile in the whole river. He had scales like old armor and teeth as long as your fingers. Chomper’s little crocodile son, Snap, wasn’t so scary, but he was always getting into trouble trying to please his Mama. One day, Chomper’s Mama had a particular craving.

“My boy,” she rasped, “I crave something different than fish. I’m hungry for monkey heart. It’s said to be the sweetest in the jungle!”
The little Crocodile gulped. He wasn’t quite sure how to catch a monkey. “Monkeys don’t swim, and I don’t climb trees!” he thought, but he wasn’t about to tell his Mama that. Instead, he swam to Riku’s tree, his plan forming in his bumpy head.
Snap floated near Riku’s tree, feeling sad for the monkey but mostly worried about getting in trouble. Meanwhile, Riku gazed longingly at a tiny island in the middle of the river. It was covered in banana trees, their fruit ripe and yellow. Snap saw his chance.
“Hey, Riku!” he called out, trying to sound friendly. “Would you like a ride to banana island?” Riku swung down to a lower branch. He loved bananas, but he wasn’t a fool. “How do I get there, Snap? I can’t swim a stroke!”
“Climb on my back!” Snap grinned, showing all his pointy teeth. “I’m an excellent swimmer.”
Riku’s tummy grumbled. Forgetting caution, Riku leaped right on Snap’s scaly back. “Hold on tight!” Snap plunged into the water, the current carrying them fast, his tail swishing with glee.

Riku rides on Snap’s back in this humorous animals story
“Such a nice ride!” “Wow, this is fun!” Riku chattered happily. Suddenly, Snap dove deep! “Oof!” Riku sputtered as water filled his nose and ears. Clinging on for dear life, everything turned dark. Just when his lungs were about to burst, they surfaced.
Riku gasped, “What was THAT?” “Orders from my mama,” Snap said. “She loves monkey heart.”
Riku’s brain buzzed. “Ah, I wish you’d said so! You see, I’m very special. My heart stays in the tree at night; it keeps it safe. We have to go back.”
Snap, he wasn’t so bright.” You left your heartโฆbehind?” “Of course!” Riku said, pretending to sound shocked. Snap hesitated, but he really wanted to please his Mama.
“Fine,” he grumbled; this wasn’t in his plan at all. But his Mama was waiting… Back they swam.
The moment Miko’s feet touched the ground, he whooshed up the mango tree and perched on the highest branch. “My heart’s up here, Snap! Climb if you dare!” he laughed. Snap tried, but his stumpy legs were no good for climbing.

The Crocodile saw the trick the Monkey had played on him.
“Monkey!” Snap roared, shaking with anger. “You have the courage of a lion! You know no fear. I’ll let you alone after this.” “Thank you, Crocodile, but I shall be on the watch for you just the same,” said the Monkey.
An adaptation of THE MONKEY AND THE CROCODILE from Eastern Stories and Legends By Marie L. Shedlock
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