The Monkey and The Crocodile
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JOHN GLENLY PILLAZO MAHUSAYThe Monkey and The Crocodile
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JOHN GLENLY PILLAZO MAHUSAYTHE MONKEY AND THE CROCODILE
(Tagalog Fable)
One day, a monkey saw a tall macopa tree laden with ripe fruits, which stood by a wide
river. It was hungry, so it climbed the tree and ate all of the fruits. When it climbed down, it
could find no means by which to cross the river. Then it saw a young crocodile who had just woke
up from its siesta. It said to the crocodile in a friendly way, “my dear crocodile, will you do me a
favor?”
The crocodile was greatly surprised by the monkey’s amicable salutation. So, it answered
humbly, “Oh, yes! If there is anything I can do for you, I shall be glad to do it.” The monkey then
told the crocodile that it wanted to get to the other side of the river. Then the crocodile said, “I’ll
take you there with all my heart. Just sit on my back, and we’ll go at once.”
The monkey sat firmly on the crocodile’s back, and they began to move. In a short while
they reached the middle of the stream. Then the crocodile began to laugh aloud. “you foolish
monkey!” It said, “I’ll eat your liver and kidneys, for I’m very hungry.” The monkey became
nervous. Trying to conceal its anxiety, it said, “I’m very glad that you mentioned the matter. I
thought myself that you might be hungry, so I have prepared my liver and kidneys for your
dinner. Unfortunately, in our haste to depart, I left them hanging on the macopa tree. Let us
return, and I’ll get them for you."
Convinced that the monkey was telling the truth, the crocodile turned around and swam
back to the direction of the macopa tree. When they got near the riverbank, the monkey nimbly
jumped up onto the land and scampered up the tree. The crocodile came to realize what
happened and said, “I am a fool.”
MORAL LESSON:
• It is better to be a clever one than to be a fool because you can tell what was right and wrong
decision. You can think critically in times of danger and in times of there will be a perpetrator that
may harm your life. Also, being a clever one you’re not only possesses wit but also courage to fight
back. Just like a monkey if it doesn’t fool the crocodile maybe he’s on the dead end. Therefore, I
am in favor of clever side.
WHAT IS FABLE?
• A fictitious story meant to teach a moral lesson: the characters are usually talking animals.
• Features animal characters or inanimate objects that behave like The Monkey and The
Crocodile people.
• The monkey is a common animal character in Philippine fables. It is often depicted as a cunning
animal.
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REFERENCE:
Reading and Writing Module
Module 1 Patterns and Properties of Written Texts - No part of this module may be reproduced in any - Studocu.
(n.d.). Studocu. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/isabela-state-
university/readings-in-philippines-history/module-1-patterns-and-properties-of-written-texts/34365452
JZANLI
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