A long time ago, a monkey lived in a great fig tree by the Ganges River at the foot of the Himalayas. He grew big and strong eating the tree's fruit.
A crocodile in the river watched the monkey and thought, "That monkey's heart must taste sweet from all the fruit. I want to eat it." She told her husband, "Bring me his heart."
"But how can I catch him?" asked the crocodile.
"I don't care how! Just bring it!" yelled his wife.
The crocodile thought of a plan. He swam to the tree and called out, "Hello, Mr. Monkey! Why eat only figs when there are juicy mangoes on the island across the river?"
"I can't cross the deep water," said the monkey.
"No problem. Ride on my back," offered the crocodile.
The greedy monkey, though wary, jumped onto the crocodile's back. Soon, the crocodile dived underwater.
"Why did you do that? I could have drowned!" spluttered the monkey.
"You are going to drown," said the crocodile. "My wife wants your heart to eat."
"Ah! You should have told me earlier," said the clever monkey. "I left my heart in the tree. Take me back, and I'll get it for you."
The crocodile agreed and swam back. The monkey leaped into the tree and yelled, "You foolish crocodile! Who keeps their heart in a tree? My heart is inside me. Come and get it if you can!"
The crocodile realized he had been tricked. Sadly, he swam home, wondering how to explain this to his wife.