The Inquisitive Monkey and the Crocodile
In the vibrant forest, a contentious crocodile named Croaky lived near a beautiful river. On the riverbank was a lush fruit tree, where a lively and inquisitive monkey named Minky lived. Minky was known to be very curious and always eager to explore.
One day, Croaky, attracted by the fruits, tried to climb the tree but failed. Seeing this, Minky offered him some fruits. This act initiated an unusual friendship between the two. They would share fruits and stories, and their bond grew stronger.
However, Croaky’s wife was not pleased with this friendship and devised a plan to eat Minky’s heart, believing it would grant immortality. Croaky, under his wife’s pressure, was unwilling to condone such an act, but agreed reluctantly.
He tricked Minky into visiting his wife. On the way, he revealed his wife’s plan. Minky, quick-witted as he was, devised a plan to extricate himself from this predicament. He told Croaky that he had left his heart in the tree and offered to fetch it.
Croaky swam back to the tree, and Minky swiftly climbed up to safety. He then revealed to Croaky that he had tricked him and that a heart is always within one’s body. Ashamed and betrayed, Croaky returned home, while Minky decided to persevere in his solitary life, learning a valuable lesson about trust.
Vocabulary:
- Contentious: This term describes someone who likes to argue or is likely to cause disagreement. Croaky, the crocodile, is described as ‘contentious’ due to his argumentative nature with his wife.
- Inquisitive: An ‘inquisitive’ person is curious and eager for knowledge. Minky, the monkey, is ‘inquisitive’ because he is always eager to explore and learn more.
- Condone: To ‘condone’ something means to accept or allow behavior that is wrong. In the story, Croaky reluctantly ‘condones’ his wife’s plan, despite knowing that it is wrong.
- Extricate: To ‘extricate’ oneself means to free oneself from a constraint or difficulty. Minky manages to ‘extricate’ himself from the dangerous situation by tricking Croaky.
- Persevere: To ‘persevere’ means to keep doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. After his ordeal, Minky decides to ‘persevere’ in his solitary life, showing his determination to continue despite the difficult circumstances.
Moral: Quick wit and intelligence often come to the rescue when one finds oneself in dire situations, as Minky demonstrated in the story. Trust should be given wisely, and one should not succumb to pressure to act against their moral principles.
