The monkey was scared to death. His heart boomed in his chest, but he kept his wits about him. “In that case,” Monkey said, “let me fetch my heart. Of all my parts, it tastes the best, but I left it back in my tree.” “Oh, yes,” Crocodile agreed, “please fetch your heart!” Crocodile turned and swam back to Monkey’s tree. As soon as they reached the riverbank, Monkey jumped off and climbed out of reach. He laughed down at Crocodile. “Crocodile,” he called, “my big, scaly friend, I won’t be coming tonight for dinner.” Crocodile was angry and ashamed. He knew then that Monkey had outsmarted him. From that day forward, monkeys have never trusted crocodiles.
The crocodile invited the monkey to dinner, but the crocodile cheated the monkey, the true intention of the crocodile was to eat the monkey.
One day, Crocodile asked Monkey to cross the river with him for dinner. He called up to Monkey, “Please join me. I should have invited you sooner.” “I’d love to come,” Monkey said, “but I can’t swim. How shall I cross the river?” “Please take a ride on my back,” Crocodile said. “It would be my pleasure.” “The pleasure is all mine,” said Monkey. He left his safe tree and climbed onto Crocodile’s back. They set out across the river. “What, may I ask, is for dinner?” Monkey asked. By this time, the two were halfway across the river. Since it was now impossible for Monkey to escape, Crocodile told him the truth. “You are for dinner, my furry little friend. I am taking you home to eat you.”
The monkey cheated the crocodile saying that he needed to go to the tree to take his heart, which is part of his body that was more delicious, the crocodile believed him and left the monkey near the tree, but the monkey quickly climbed the tree, laughed at the crocodile and said he would not be eaten by him today. The crocodile left angry and said that he would never trust monkeys again.
Monkey lived in a fine fruit tree by the side of a river. He spent his days eating the fruit of the tree and swinging in its branches. One day, Crocodile took rest under the tree. Monkey greeted Crocodile, saying, “As you are under my tree, that makes you my guest. Allow me to offer you food.” Monkey tossed down fruit after sweet fruit to Crocodile. Crocodile visited Monkey’s tree each day after that.
CONFLICT
END
RESOLUTION
CHARACTERS
SETTING
BEGINNING
MIDDLE
