Week 9 Story: The Monkey and the Turtle and Crocodile Part II

Crocodile and Turtle: Flickr

Once there was a monkey who enjoyed deceiving and tricking all creatures of the world. One day, he saw two land creatures walking together: a turtle and a crocodile. While usually these two creatures would not be seen together, the two were best friends.

The monkey saw the two creatures from his tree and thought they would be the perfect pair. He climbed down from his tree and approached the two.

"Hello, I am monkey and saw that the two of you looked lost"

The two creatures responded, "Why yes, we have been traveling all day and night and have arrived here. We are very tried and hungry, and are looking for food and a place to stay"

The monkey smiled. "Why, I can help you, why don't the two of you follow me"

The Turtle and the Crocodile were surprised by the kindness of the Monkey. They were delighted in his kind nature, that they followed the monkey willingly.

They approached a field full of strawberries and vegetables. The Turtle and Crocodile's eyes grew large, and their tummies began to growl.

The Monkey said, "All this fresh fruit and vegetable are mine, and you may eat as much as you wish. I am going to head home, and come back in a little while to show you where you can sleep for the night"

The two creatures, barely heard anything other than they may eat the food, so they indulged in everything in the garden.

As the monkey left, the two creatures were eating, and about five minutes later, the true owner of the garden came by.

"Hey you two! Those are my prize possessions" Yelled the owner.

About that time, the turtle and crocodile had full bellies, and were surprised to hear that the garden did not belong to the Monkey.

The owner chased after them with a long pole and bolos. The turtle grabbed the crocodiles tail, and the crocodile went running far far away from the owner.

Although their tummies were full, the crocodile was able to out run the owner and the two of them went off. Hoping to find a place to stay for the night, from a trustworthy animal.

Author's Notes
The Monkey and the Turtle and Crocodile
 Filipino Popular Tales by Dean S. Fansler (1921)

In the original tale, the Monkey was a deceiver and took upon the Turtle and the Crocodile. In the story, the Monkey took them to a pumpkin plantation and the two creatures ate until they were stuffed, and the Monkey escaped to his home. About the time the animals were eating, the farmer passed by and captured the turtle and crocodile. The farmer ended up killing the two creatures. I decided to use the original story, but change a few details. Instead of pumpkins, I decided to make it a garden, as well as letting the turtle and crocodile survive. I had the two creatures escape the owner of garden, and continue their search for a place to stay.