The Monkey, the Turtle, and the Crocodile

The Monkey, the Turtle, and the Crocodile

Once there lived a Monkey who loved jokes. Unfortunately, she had a bad habit: she often laughed at other people instead of laughing with them. If there was a chance to confuse someone, send them the wrong way, or make them believe an absurd story, Monkey rarely resisted. Because of this, she had many acquaintances but very few true friends. One day Monkey was walking along a narrow road outside a town when she saw two travelers. They were Turtle and Crocodile, and they looked exhausted. “My good travelers,” Monkey asked sweetly, “where have you come from? You look as though you have crossed half the world.” “Almost,” Turtle sighed. “We have never been here before. We do not know where to find food or a safe place to rest.” “And right now,” Crocodile added, “we would be grateful for almost anything to eat.” Monkey immediately thought of a prank. Nearby was a carefully tended garden filled with large ripe pumpkins. Monkey knew perfectly well that the garden belonged to a hardworking farmer. But she said, “How lucky that you met me. I know a wonderful place. There is enough food there for you and ten more hungry travelers.” Turtle hesitated. “Will the owner mind?” Monkey waved a hand. “Do not worry about little details. Follow me.” She led them down a path, around a hedge, and pointed to a field where orange pumpkins lay among broad green leaves. “There is your feast. Eat as much as you like and rest afterward. I am going home to sleep.” Before Turtle could ask another question, Monkey disappeared among the trees. The travelers were so hungry that at first they thought only about food. They found a ripe pumpkin, tasted it, and were delighted by the sweet flesh. After a while, however, Turtle looked around more carefully. “Crocodile, look. The rows are straight. The soil has been loosened. There is a bucket at the edge of the field. Someone takes care of this garden.” Crocodile stopped chewing. “You are right. Monkey never told us whose garden this is.” At that exact moment a voice called from beyond the fence. “Who is in my pumpkin patch?” The farmer saw the unexpected visitors and called his workers. They hurried over carrying long poles to shoo the animals away, making such a commotion that Crocodile jumped. “Run!” he cried. Crocodile rushed toward the path. Turtle tried to follow, but quickly realized she could not move fast enough. She grabbed Crocodile's tail and held on. “Do not hang on to me!” Crocodile shouted. “I cannot run properly!” “I have to!” Turtle called back. “Otherwise, who will make sure you are running in the right direction?” Even frightened Crocodile nearly laughed. Behind them came shouting and footsteps. Ahead, a narrow river flashed in the sun. Crocodile gathered his strength and slid into the water. Turtle splashed in after him, still holding on. A moment later both were hidden among reeds on the opposite bank. The people stopped at the river. “Stay out of other people's gardens!” the farmer called. “If you are hungry, ask first. Do not simply take what is not yours.” Turtle and Crocodile sat quietly for a long time. At last Turtle said, “We trusted Monkey simply because she spoke kindly.” Crocodile nodded. “Kind words do not automatically make advice good.” “And we should have asked who owned the field,” Turtle added. The next morning they met Monkey again. She was sitting on a branch, clearly expecting a funny story about how frightened everyone had been. Turtle spoke calmly. “We are not going to quarrel with you. But from now on, we will believe your words only when your actions show that they deserve to be believed.” Crocodile added, “Real help does not lead friends into trouble.” Monkey opened her mouth to laugh. For some reason, no laugh came. She looked at the two travelers and understood that yesterday's prank had lasted only a few minutes, while lost trust could last much longer. Turtle and Crocodile continued their journey. They did not become afraid of strangers, but they learned to ask questions and judge advice by actions as well as pleasant words. Monkey remembered the pumpkin patch for a very long time. Sometimes the most important lesson in a trick is learned not by the person who was fooled, but by the person who finally understands the price of fooling others.

May this story leave a little light in your heart ✨