Reading Notes: Jataka Tales, Part A, The Monkey and the Crocodile

Hi guys!

Monkey and Crocodile from Jataka Tales

Today I read the Jataka tale of the Monkey and the Crocodile. Well, I read all of the stories in part A, but this one stood out. I loved it. I think the monkey was clever and witty. Overall, the monkey was such a fun character to read about.

My favorite parts of the story were when the monkey would trick the crocodile. I think this aspect would be a great one to replicate. I have written a few trickster stories, but it has been a long time since I have. My last one was last semester. Here are some ideas for a trickster story from this one:

• Replace the animals with people:
• CEO and a clever employee
• Change the ending
• monkey gets eaten instead
• crocodile tricks other monkeys who do not listen to the clever monkey
• Change the plot
• the crocodile is the clever one
• the crocodile doesn't like to kill animals and strikes a deal with the monkey to kill animals for him
• Change the style
• I would love to write a first person story about a kind and sweet crocodile that doesn't like killing 

Overall, there a tons of options!

Here are a few thinks I want to note about the story: 

Beginning of the story: "A monkey lived in a great tree on a river bank"  

End of the story: ""Thank you, Crocodile, but I shall be on the watch for you just the same," said the Monkey"

I find the ending sentence kinda confusing. I am not sure if it is sarcastic or not. Is the monkey concerned about it's own safety or the crocs?

Bibliography:  Jataka Tales, Part A, The Monkey and the Crocodile by Ellen C. Babbitt