On the banks of a river was a mango tree that produced the juiciest of mangoes. A monkey lived on the mango tree there, always playing on the branches and enjoying the mangoes. His name was Chimpi.

One day a crocodile named Crocky happened to come to the banks of the river. When he saw Chimpi eating the mangoes, Crocky’s mouth water. “Hi! I am Crocky. Those mangoes look delicious. Can you share a mango with me? I am starving,” he said.

Chimpi replied, “Hi Crocky. My name is Chimpi. You are welcome to come and enjoy these mangoes anytime.” Saying so, he shared a few mangoes with Crocky.

Thus beganof their friendship. Every day, Crocky would come to the banks of the river. Chimpi and Crocky enjoyed the mangoes together. They would talk for hours enjoying each other’s company.

One day, Crocky told the monkey, “Can you give me a few mangoes to take home, Chimpi? I realize I have been quite selfish, enjoying these sweet mangoes all by myself. I want to share it with my wife, as well.”

Chimpi happily gave a few fresh mangoes to Crocky, who then took them to his wife.

After eating the mangoes, Crocky’s wife said, “These are the tastiest mangoes I have ever eaten. They taste like nectar. If the mangoes are so sweet, imagine how sweet Chimpi’s heart will be? After all, he has eaten these mangoes for a long time. I want you to bring Chimpi’s heart for me to eat, Crocky.”

Crocky replied, “I am sorry, my dear. Chimpi is my dearest friend. How can you expect me to kill him?”

Hearing this, the wife got angry, “You love your friend more than me, don’t you? If you do not bring me his heart, I will starve myself and never eat again.”

Although he was unhappy to do it, worry for his wife made Crocky say, “I agree to bring Chimpi to you. But how do I do that? Won’t he get suspicious?”

“Do not worry. I have a plan,” said Crocky’s wife. “You tell him that I want to invite him to our home for a feast. I will take care of the rest.”

The next day, Crocky went to Chimpi and said, “Chimpi, my wife is furious that I have never introduced the two of you. She has prepared a feast for you and has asked me to invite you to our home.”

Chimpi replied, “I would love to, Crocky, but you live in the water. How can I come?”

To which Crocky responded, “Do not worry. My wife and I live on the banks of the river on the opposite side. If you are willing, I will carry you on my back to my home.”

Chimpi agreed and hoped on Crocky’s back.

On the way to Crocky’s home, Crocky felt really guilty and thought, “I am taking my friend to his death. I should at least tell him the truth so that he is prepared.” So, he said, “I am very sorry, my friend. I lied that there is a feast for you. My wife wants to eat your heart and is starving herself until I do so.”

When he heard this, Chimpi immediately thought hard. “I should never have trusted a crocodile to be my friend. But what do I do now? How can I save myself?”

After a few seconds he replied, “Oh, Crocky! I wish you had mentioned this to me before. I have removed my heart and kept it on the mango tree to safeguard it from wild animals. We need to go back to get it.”

Now, Crocky was not the brightest of animals. He immediately believed Chimpi. So, he took Chimpi back to the mango tree.

As soon as they got to the river bank, Chimpi climbed the tree. When he did not return, Crocky asked him, “Chimpi, where are you? Are you bringing your heart?”

Chimpi replied, “Did you really think I will give my heart to you? Goodbye, my friend. I do not want to see you ever again.”

Unhappy at having lost a friend due to his own mistake, Crocky went back home disappointed.

Author’s Note:

All Panchatantra Stories have Morals associated with them.

This story has two such morals – “Choose your friends wisely.”/ “A quick wit can solve most problems.”