Once upon a time, in a lush green forest beside a winding river, there lived a clever monkey named Milo. Milo spent his days swinging from tree to tree, munching on juicy mangoes, and chatting with his animal friends. The river was wide and deep, and though Milo couldn’t swim, he often gazed at the sparkling water, wondering what adventures lay on the other side. 
One sunny afternoon, as Milo nibbled on a fig, he spotted a crocodile floating near the riverbank. The crocodile had a toothy grin and eyes that glinted like polished stones. “Hello, little monkey!” called the crocodile. “My name is Cyrus. Would you like to be friends?”
Milo tilted his head. He’d heard stories about crocodiles, but Cyrus seemed friendly. “Sure!” he replied. “But how can we be friends if I’m up here and you’re down there?”
Cyrus flicked his tail, creating ripples in the water. “Climb onto my back! I’ll give you a ride across the river. There’s an island filled with banana trees—sweeter than anything you’ve ever tasted!”
Milo’s mouth watered. Bananas were his favorite! Cautiously, he leaped onto Cyrus’s scaly back. The crocodile swam smoothly, and soon they reached the island. True to Cyrus’s word, the bananas were golden and delicious. Milo filled his arms with them, and Cyrus carried him back home.
Week after week, the two became unlikely friends. Milo shared fruits from the trees, and Cyrus shared stories of underwater caves and fish that glowed in the dark. But one day, Cyrus seemed troubled. “What’s wrong?” asked Milo.
Cyrus sighed. “My mother is very sick. The only cure is a monkey’s heart. But I could never hurt a friend!” His voice trembled.
Milo’s fur bristled. He knew crocodiles sometimes tricked animals, but he’d trusted Cyrus. Think, Milo, think! he told himself. Then he smiled. “Oh dear! Why didn’t you say so earlier? I left my heart in my favorite tree! Take me back, and I’ll fetch it for you.”
Cyrus’s eyes lit up. “Really? You’d do that?”
“Of course! What are friends for?” said Milo, hiding his fear.
As they neared the riverbank, Milo leaped onto a branch. “Silly Cyrus! Don’t you know monkeys keep their hearts with them? A friend who betrays trust doesn’t deserve a heart—or a friend.”
Cyrus hung his head. “I’m sorry, Milo. My mother pressured me, but it was wrong to trick you.”
Milo softened. “True friends don’t lie to each other. Bring your mother to the shore tomorrow. Maybe we can find another way to help her.”
The next day, Cyrus brought his ailing mother. Milo gathered herbs recommended by the wise old tortoise of the forest. Within days, the crocodile mother recovered! From then on, Cyrus and Milo remained friends—but only after Cyrus promised never to hide secrets again.
And so, Milo learned that wisdom could solve even the trickiest problems, while Cyrus discovered that honesty was the foundation of true friendship. The two continued to explore the river and share stories, reminding everyone that kindness and cleverness could bridge even the widest divides.
The end.
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Moral of the story: Always use your wits when faced with trouble, and remember that trust is the heart of every friendship. Sweet dreams, little ones! ✨
