Reading Notes: Jataka Tales, Part A

Notes:

• Monkey lived in a great tree on a river bank.
• There were many crocodiles in the river and one mother told her son to catch a monkey for her one day.
• It's so that she could eat the monkey's heart.
• The Son then asked how because he does not travel on land and that the monkey's don't get in the river.
• The mother told him to do the best that he can.
• The crocodile thought of a brilliant idea to have the monkey get across the river to get the fruit on the other side of the island.
• The crocodile was considered stupid.
• The crocodile asked the monkey to come down and get the fruit with him.
• The monkey asked how because he can't swim.
• The crocodile told the monkey that he'll help and let him get on his back.
• The monkey was greedy and then jumped on the crocodile's back and off they went.
• The monkey told the crocodile that it was a fine ride!
• Then the crocodile told the monkey if he liked going under water.
• The monkey didn't and held onto the crocodile hopelessly cause he was too afraid.
• When they came back up, the monkey choked from the water and asked why did he take him under water.
• The crocodile told him that he wants to kill him and give his hear his mother.
• The monkey told the crocodile that if he would've known, he would've brought his hear with him.
• The crocodile was stupid and asked if the monkey left his heart back in the tree.
• The monkey told the crocodile that if he wants his heart, then he has to go get it, but wants to get the fruit first since they are so near.
• The crocodile told him that he needs to get the heart first then he'll decide after.
• and the monkey went with it.
• Soon after, the monkey jumped off and climbed onto the tree and told the crocodile if he wants it to come up and get it.
• The monkey wanted to live and then the crocodile found him. 
• In the middle of the island there were fruit-trees.
• The crocodile watched the monkey crossing from the bank to the rock then to the island across the river.
• The crocodile thought he will catch him once he heads back home.
• The night grew dark and the monkey was heading back home and saw the crocodile lying on the rock.
• The stupid crocodile answered and said he was about to eat him.
• The monkey said there was no other way but to open the crocodile's mouth and so he can jump into it.
• The monkey new that when crocodiles open up their mouth, they closed their eyes.
• The the monkey jumped on the crocodile's head and sprung to the tree.
• The crocodile respects the monkey's smartness and says he would leave him alone.
• The monkey is more aware of the crocodile.

Bibliography: The Monkey and The Crocodile, by Ellen C. Babbitt.

The Crocodile taking the Monkey on a cruise, Link Text.