river where a young crocodile
lived. After eating all the fruit he wanted, the monkey climbed down
the tree. He suddenly conceived the desire of getting on the other
side of the wide river, but he found no means by which to cross. At
last he saw the crocodile, who had just waked up from his siesta;
and the monkey said to him in a friendly way, "My dear crocodile,
will you do me a favor?"

The crocodile was greatly surprised by this amicable salutation of the
monkey. However, he 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 he wanted to reach the other side of the river. Then
the crocodile said, "I'll take you over with all my heart. Just sit
on my back, and we'll go at once."

When the monkey was firmly seated on the crocodile's back, they began
their trip. In a short while they reached the middle of the stream,
and the crocodile began to laugh aloud. "Now, you foolish monkey!" it
said, "I'll eat your liver and kidneys, for I'm very hungry." The
monkey became nervous; but he concealed his anxiety, and said, "To
be sure! I thought myself that you might be hungry, so I prepared my
liver and kidneys for your dinner; but unfortunately, in our haste
to depart, I left them hanging on the macopa-tree. I'm very glad that
you mentioned the matter. Let us return, and I'll get you the food."

The foolish crocodile, convinced that the monkey was telling the
truth, turned back toward the shore they had just left. When they were
near, the monkey nimbly jumped on to the dry land and scampered up
the tree. When the crocodile saw how he had been deceived, he said,
"I am a fool."

Zambal Version.

Narrated by Leopoldo Uichanco, a Tagalog, who heard the story from
a native of Zambales.

One stormy day a monkey was standing by the shore of a river, wondering
how he could get to the other side. He could not get over by himself;
for the water was deep, and he did not know how to swim. He looked
about for some logs; but all he saw was a large crocodile with its
mouth wide open, ready to seize him. He was very much frightened;
but he said, "O Mr. Crocodile! pray, do not kill me! Spare my life,
and I will lead you to a place where you can get as many monkeys as
will feed you all your life."

The crocodile agreed, and the monkey said that the place was on the
other side of the river. So the crocodile told him to get on his back,
and he would carry