Chapter 5

                                    The Monkey and the Crocodile


Short Questions and Answers

1.Where did the monkey jump after escaping?

Answer: On the tree on the river-bank.


2.How did the monkey feel after escaping?

Answer: He heaved a deep sigh of relief.


3.What did the monkey do after reaching the tree?

Answer: He plucked a fruit or two and threw them down.


4.Who were the fruits meant for?

Answer: For the crocodile’s wife.


5.What did the monkey say about fruits?

Answer: “Fresh fruits are good for mind and body.”


6.What did the monkey say to the crocodile about their friendship?

Answer: “Good bye, friend, and if you don't mind, we won't meet again.”


7.How did the crocodile feel after the monkey’s clever escape?

Answer: Sadder and wiser.


8.Did the crocodile shed tears?

Answer: Yes, some genuine tears.


9.What did the crocodile plan to do after leaving the monkey?

Answer: Go home and tell his wife a thing or two.


10.Why did the monkey end the friendship?

Answer: To prevent any future danger.


11.Did the crocodile harm the monkey?

Answer: No, he did not.


12.How did the monkey try to make peace with the crocodile’s wife?

Answer: By sending fruits for her.


13.Where did this story originate from?

Answer: The Panchatantra.


14.What does the monkey’s action with the fruit symbolize?

Answer: Wisdom and non-violence.


15.Was the crocodile angry at the monkey at the end?

Answer: No, he was sad and wiser.


16.How did the story end for the monkey?

Answer: He returned safely to his tree and ended the friendship.


17.How did the crocodile react emotionally?

Answer: He felt genuine sadness.


18.What lesson does the monkey give regarding the heart and friendship?

Answer: Life is more valuable than giving your heart blindly.


19.How did the monkey maintain cleverness till the end?

Answer: By sending fruits instead of his heart and calmly ending the friendship.


20.What did the monkey imply about future meetings?

Answer: They should not meet again.

Long Questions and Answers

  1. Describe how the monkey escaped safely from the crocodile.
    Answer: The monkey kept calm, tricked the crocodile by saying his heart was on the tree, and persuaded him to swim back. Once on the river-bank, he jumped onto the tree and was safe.

  2. How did the monkey show cleverness even after escaping?
    Answer: He sent fruits for the crocodile’s wife instead of his heart, showing tact and wisdom.

  3. What did the monkey say about the value of fruits?
    Answer: He said fresh fruits are good for mind and body, implying they are more valuable than causing harm.

  4. How did the monkey handle the situation with dignity?
    Answer: He calmly ended the friendship while showing concern for the crocodile’s wife.

  5. How did the crocodile feel after the monkey’s escape?
    Answer: Sad, wiser, and emotional, shedding genuine tears.

  6. Why did the monkey decide not to meet the crocodile again?
    Answer: To prevent future danger and betrayal.

  7. What lesson does the story teach about friendship?
    Answer: True friendship requires trust, but one must be cautious of those who might harm you.

  8. How did the monkey show mercy to the crocodile’s wife?
    Answer: By sending fruits for her instead of his heart.

  9. How did the crocodile’s reaction show he learned from the incident?
    Answer: He became wiser and reflected on his actions.

  10. Why is this story considered a tale of wisdom and cleverness?
    Answer: Because the monkey used intelligence and quick thinking to escape danger without harming anyone.

  11. What does the story say about dealing with difficult friends?
    Answer: Sometimes, it is better to end a friendship than risk betrayal.

  12. How did the monkey communicate his final message to the crocodile?
    Answer: Calmly, politely, and with humor, offering fruits and saying goodbye.

  13. What emotion did the crocodile display at the end?
    Answer: Sadness and regret.

  14. How does this story reflect the idea of thinking before acting?
    Answer: The monkey planned carefully and avoided rash decisions that could cost his life.

  15. How did the story conclude for the crocodile?
    Answer: He returned home sad, wiser, and with a story to tell his wife.

  16. What is the moral lesson about bravery in the story?
    Answer: Being brave and clever together can help overcome dangerous situations.

  17. How did the monkey balance cleverness and kindness?
    Answer: He tricked the crocodile to save himself but still sent fruits for the crocodile’s wife.

  18. What role did quick thinking play in the monkey’s survival?
    Answer: How did the monkey use words to outwit the crocodile?

Answer by Mrinmoee