The Crocodile and the Monkey's Heart

A Crocodile who lived in the Ewaso Ng'iro river fell in love with a Monkey who played in the doum palm trees on the bank. The Crocodile wanted the Monkey to come and live with him in the water, but the Monkey could not. The Crocodile grew sick with longing. A diviner told him that to cure his sickness, he must eat the Monkey's heart. The Crocodile went to the Monkey and said, "Friend Monkey, I want to show you the wonders of my home. I will carry you on my back." The trusting Monkey agreed. Halfway across the river, the Crocodile revealed his true intention. "I must have your heart!" he said. The Monkey, thinking fast, replied, "Oh, you should have told me! We monkeys do not carry our hearts with us; it is too dangerous. We hang them in the trees for safekeeping. You see that big one hanging from the palm tree? That's my heart. Take me back, and I will get it for you." The foolish Crocodile believed him and swam back to the bank. The Monkey leaped into the highest branches and was safe. "You are a fool," the Monkey called down. "My heart is in my chest. You have lost a friend and a cure because of your treacherous heart."