Chapter 6

                                            The Monkey and the Crocodile


1. Where did the monkey live, and why was he happy there?

Answer: The monkey lived in a fruit-laden tree on the bank of a river. He was happy because he could eat delicious fruits of his choice whenever he wanted and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.


2. Despite living in a fruit tree, what was the monkey missing in his life?

Answer: The monkey was happy but lonely. He missed a companion to talk to, share his fruits with, and enjoy the company of another living being.


3. How did the monkey first meet the crocodile?

Answer: The monkey noticed the crocodile on the riverbank and greeted him politely, offering fruits. The crocodile responded politely, saying he had come in search of food for himself and his wife.


4. How did the monkey show his friendliness to the crocodile?

Answer: The monkey plucked fruits from the tree and threw them down to the crocodile, offering some for his wife as well. He invited the crocodile to visit regularly.


5. How did the crocodile respond to the monkey’s generosity?

Answer: The crocodile was pleased and thanked the monkey. He promised to visit regularly and take some fruits home for his wife, showing mutual friendship and respect.


6. What did the two friends talk about during their meetings?

Answer: They talked about birds and animals, the villages nearby, and the difficulties villagers faced, such as problems with crops due to lack of rain. They enjoyed sharing thoughts and ideas.


7. How did the crocodile’s wife feel about his friendship with the monkey?

Answer: The crocodile’s wife was annoyed and jealous. She did not like her husband being friends with a monkey and even desired to eat the monkey’s heart.


8. How did the crocodile try to explain his friendship to his wife?

Answer: He told his wife that the monkey was a very nice friend who lived on a fruit tree and sent fruits every day. He argued that he could not climb trees, so the friendship was harmless.


9. How did the crocodile react to his wife’s demand to eat the monkey?

Answer: The crocodile was shocked and refused. He loved his friend and declared that he could never kill him, though he joked he might occasionally eat a monkey for taste.


10. Why did the crocodile finally decide to invite the monkey home?

Answer: The crocodile was in a dilemma. He loved his wife and did not want to upset her, so he reluctantly decided to invite the monkey home, hoping for the best.


11. How did the monkey respond when invited to the crocodile’s home?

Answer: The monkey agreed cheerfully, saying he could ride on the crocodile’s back since he was not a swimmer, showing trust and friendliness.


12. What did the crocodile reveal mid-river?

Answer: In the middle of the river, the crocodile confessed that he had brought the monkey to eat him because his wife wanted the monkey’s heart, revealing his inner conflict.


13. How did the monkey react upon learning this?

Answer: The monkey was shocked and frightened but kept his cool. He was clever and did not panic, thinking of a way to save himself.


14. What clever plan did the monkey use to escape?

Answer: The monkey pretended to be obedient, saying he could have brought his heart along if the crocodile had asked. He claimed that his heart was still on the tree and suggested they go back to get it.


15. How did the crocodile fall for the monkey’s trick?

Answer: The crocodile innocently believed the monkey and turned back to the tree, thinking the monkey’s heart was there. He did not suspect the monkey was clever and lying to save himself.


16. What happened when the monkey reached the tree?

Answer: The monkey jumped onto the tree safely, heaved a sigh of relief, and plucked some fruits to throw to the crocodile, ending their dangerous encounter.


17. What advice did the monkey give to the crocodile at the end?

Answer: The monkey told the crocodile to give the fruits to his wife instead of his heart and politely ended their friendship, saying they should not meet again.


18. How did the crocodile feel after the monkey escaped?

Answer: The crocodile was sad and wiser. He shed genuine tears and went back home, likely reflecting on the situation and the monkey’s cleverness.


19. Why did the crocodile’s wife want to eat the monkey’s heart?

Answer: She was jealous of her husband’s friendship with the monkey and desired the monkey’s heart out of spite and hunger.


20. How did the story highlight the crocodile’s dilemma?

Answer: The crocodile loved both his wife and his friend. He was torn between loyalty to his wife and his friendship, showing the conflict between personal relationships and moral choices.


21. What qualities of the monkey are shown in the story?

Answer: The monkey is clever, quick-witted, calm under pressure, sensible, and able to think strategically to save his life.


22. How does the story show the importance of intelligence over strength?

Answer: Although the crocodile was physically stronger, the monkey used his intelligence and clever thinking to escape, showing that brains can overcome brawn.


23. Why did the monkey decide to end his friendship with the crocodile?

Answer: The monkey realized that the crocodile’s loyalty to his wife could put him in danger again, so he decided it was safer to discontinue the friendship.


24. What lesson does the story teach about friendship?

Answer: Friendship is valuable, but one must also be careful and aware of situations where loyalty to others can become harmful.


25. What moral can we learn from the monkey’s cleverness?

Answer: The story teaches that quick thinking, calmness, and intelligence are essential when facing danger, and one can solve problems without confrontation.


26. How did the story describe the bond between the monkey and the crocodile before the conflict?

Answer: Before the conflict, the monkey and crocodile were the best of friends. They enjoyed talking, shared fruits, and had a mutual respect and affection.


27. Why was the monkey generous toward the crocodile’s wife?

Answer: The monkey showed kindness by sending fruits for the crocodile’s wife, demonstrating his thoughtful nature and willingness to be friendly.


28. What does the story teach about jealousy?

Answer: The story shows that jealousy, as shown by the crocodile’s wife, can lead to harmful intentions and conflict.


29. How did the crocodile’s wife create trouble in the story?

Answer: She demanded that her husband bring the monkey home so she could eat him, causing the main conflict in the story.


30. How does the story highlight the idea of moral choices?

Answer: The crocodile faced a moral choice between betraying his friend or obeying his wife. This shows the struggle between loyalty, friendship, and duty.


31. How did the monkey’s calmness help him?

Answer: By remaining calm and thinking logically, the monkey devised a clever plan to escape without angering or fighting the crocodile.


32. How does the story illustrate consequences of desire and greed?

Answer: The crocodile’s wife’s desire to eat the monkey’s heart caused tension and almost led to the monkey’s death, showing how greed can create trouble.


33. How did the monkey show diplomacy in handling the crocodile?

Answer: He spoke politely, flattered the crocodile, and used reasoning to manipulate the situation so that the crocodile would not harm him.


34. What role does trust play in the story?

Answer: The crocodile initially trusted the monkey completely, which allowed the monkey to use his cleverness to escape safely.


35. What is the significance of the fruits in the story?

Answer: The fruits symbolize friendship, kindness, and sharing. They also become a substitute for the monkey’s heart, showing a clever non-violent solution.


36. How did the story end?

Answer: The story ended with the monkey safely returning to the tree, ending the friendship, and the crocodile returning home sad but wiser.


37. How does the story show that cleverness can prevent disaster?

Answer: The monkey avoided being eaten by using quick thinking and planning, proving that intelligence and wit can avert danger.


38. How did the crocodile react after understanding the monkey’s cleverness?

Answer: The crocodile felt sad, wiser, and reflective. He realized the monkey’s cleverness saved both their lives from unnecessary conflict.


39. Why does the story remain popular in Panchatantra collections?

Answer: The story teaches important lessons about intelligence, friendship, loyalty, jealousy, and problem-solving, making it timeless and educational for children.


40. What is the overall moral of “The Monkey and the Crocodile”?

Answer: The story teaches that intelligence, quick thinking, and calmness are powerful tools to solve problems. It also warns against jealousy, blind loyalty, and harmful desires, while highlighting the value of wise friendship.

Answer by Mrinmoee