Once upon a time, in a lush forest by a serene river, there lived a clever monkey named Moti. Moti was known throughout the forest for his wit and agility. He made his home in a tall, sturdy tree that provided him with a bountiful supply of sweet, juicy fruits. Life was peaceful for Moti, and he enjoyed his days leaping from branch to branch and swinging on the vines.
One sunny afternoon, as Moti was munching on a ripe mango, he noticed something moving in the water below. Curious, he peered down and saw a crocodile named Kavi slowly swimming towards the riverbank. Kavi was a large, formidable creature, but his eyes were kind. Moti had always been cautious of crocodiles, but there was something different about Kavi.
“Hello up there!” called Kavi in a friendly tone. “I’ve been watching you for days, and I must say, you live a wonderful life up in that tree.”
Moti, always cautious but polite, replied, “Thank you, Mr. Crocodile. My name is Moti. How can I help you today?”
Kavi smiled. “I’ve come to be your friend, Moti. I live in this river, and it can be quite lonely at times. Perhaps we can keep each other company?”
Moti thought about this for a moment. He had never befriended a crocodile before, but Kavi seemed sincere. “I’d like that very much, Kavi,” he said. “Friends are always welcome.”
From that day on, Moti and Kavi became the best of friends. Every day, Kavi would swim to the riverbank to listen to Moti’s stories and share tales of his underwater adventures. Moti, in return, would toss down the sweetest fruits from his tree for Kavi to enjoy. They laughed and talked for hours, delighting in each other’s company.
However, Kavi had a wife named Kami, who lived in a deep, dark part of the river. Kami was not pleased with Kavi’s new friendship. She had heard of Moti’s delicious fruits and grew envious. She desired the monkey’s heart, believing it would taste even sweeter than the fruits he shared with Kavi.
One evening, when Kavi returned home, Kami confronted him. “Why do you waste your time with that monkey?” she demanded. “If he is truly your friend, he will share more than just fruits with you. I want his heart!”
Kavi was horrified. “How can you ask such a thing, Kami? Moti is my friend. I cannot betray him like that.”
Kami’s eyes narrowed. “If you truly love me, you will do as I ask. Bring me the monkey’s heart, or do not return at all!”
Kavi was torn between his loyalty to Moti and his duty to his wife. He spent a sleepless night by the river, contemplating his dilemma. Finally, he decided he would warn Moti of Kami’s wicked plan and help him escape.
The next morning, Kavi swam to the riverbank where Moti was waiting with a fresh batch of fruits. Kavi tried to appear cheerful, but Moti could sense something was wrong.
“What troubles you, my friend?” Moti asked, concern in his eyes.
Kavi sighed deeply. “Moti, I am afraid I bring you grave news. My wife Kami desires your heart. She believes it will be as sweet as the fruits you give me. She has ordered me to bring it to her.”
Moti was shocked but quickly regained his composure. “Thank you for telling me the truth, Kavi. I understand the difficult position you are in. But do not worry; I have a plan.”
Moti’s mind raced as he devised a clever escape. “Tell Kami that I am willing to give her my heart, but it is hidden in a special place. You must take me there first.”
Kavi agreed, relieved that Moti had a solution. He swam back to Kami and told her that Moti was willing to comply. Kami, greedy and eager, believed the lie and allowed Kavi to bring Moti to her.
Moti climbed onto Kavi’s back, and they set off down the river. As they traveled, Moti pointed to an island in the distance. “There,” he said, “is where I have hidden my heart.”
Kavi swam to the island and let Moti climb ashore. Once safely on land, Moti turned to Kavi. “Thank you, my friend. You have saved my life. Now, go back to your wife and tell her that I tricked you. She will not want my heart now that she knows it is beyond her reach.”
Kavi nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude. “I will miss you, Moti. You are a true friend.”
“And you, Kavi, are a noble crocodile,” Moti replied. “Farewell, my friend.”
With a heavy heart, Kavi swam back to Kami and told her the truth. Kami was furious, but there was nothing she could do. She realized that her greed had cost her not only the monkey’s heart but also her husband’s trust.
Moti, now safe on the island, found a new tree to call home. He missed Kavi, but he knew that their friendship had saved his life. From his new perch, he watched the river, always alert but grateful for the bond he had shared with Kavi.
In the end, Moti lived a long and happy life, always remembering the clever escape that had kept him safe. And Kavi, though saddened by the loss of his friend, learned a valuable lesson about loyalty and the true meaning of friendship.
