LOSS OF GAINS

Raktamukha was a monkey who was fortunate to have his home in a rose-apple tree on the banks of a river. This tree was laden with fruits. One day, a crocodile named Karalamukha came out of the river. He walked around on the sand and came up to the tree. 'O crocodile,' the monkey said, 'be my guest. You must taste these delicious rose-apples. Enjoy yourself, for the learned have said that a person who treats all his guests kindly is blessed. However take care of the person who fails to be a good host. , angels do not The crocodile got lots of rose-apples to eat. Thereafter, he started visiting Raktamukha daily, to eat fruit and talk to him. He would take the fruit home too, sometimes. The crocodile's wife asked her husband one day, This fruit is so delicious. Where do you get it frday, Thave never tasted such sweet fruit all my life." My friend gives me these fruits every day. He is a monkey, who lives in a tree,' said the husband. "His heart must be even sweeter if he eats fruits that are so sweet!' she said. 'If you really love me, please get his heart for me. I will always be your young, beautiful wife and live forever if I eat his heart' 'My dear, no! It is wrong to speak like this. The monkey is like my brother. It is not possible for me to kill him. The elders have said that after a mother, a brother is the best relative a person can have.' The angry wife said, "You must get his heart for me. Do you love that monkey more than you love me?' Faced with his angry wife, Karalamukha said with a heavy heart, 'My dear, why are you angry? Fine, I will do what you say. "If you really love me, kill that monkey now. Bring me his heart. Until you get it. I am not eating any food. And if I die, it will be your fault!' said the wife and thumped her tail loudly. The crocodile was very upset. He did not know how to face his friend. When he went to see the monkey that day, Raktamukha said, "You are late, my friend. You also look troubled. What is the matter?" 'O my friend, how can I tell you! My wife is very angry with me. She says all I do is eat your fruits but never call you home. I am an ungrateful friend! So, she has made a grand meal. She is waiting for you at home. Please come home with me.' 'Your wife is right, the monkey said. "You should not be friendly with anyone who likes you for your riches. The elders have said that two people are not true friends if they do not share their things and secrets with each other, and if they are not kind to each other. 'But, before I accept, there is one little problem,' said the monkey. 'I am a land animal. You live in water. How can I travel to your home? I think I shall have to refuse your generous invitation. Please bring your wife here. "That is hardly a problem," said the crocodile. 'Our house is on the sand. It is a beautiful place. I will take you there. Just carry you. sit securely on my back, and I will The monkey trustingly sat on the crocodile's back. The ride began and as the crocodile was entering deep waters, the monkey got nervous and scared. He asked the crocodile to move more slowly. The crocodile thought it was now safe to talks about the actual plan. "The invitation was just to lure you. My wife wishes to kill you, so that we may feast on your heart. The monkey did not get frightened. He thought quickly. 'My friend,' he said, 'you should have told me this earlier. I keep my heart in the hollow of the tree. Take me back so that I may fetch it. I will happily give your wife my heart, if it means so much to her. The crocodile believed him. He quickly turned back and brought the monkey back to his home, to the rose-apple tree on the shore. The moment they reached the river bank, the monkey leapt off the crocodile's back. He climbed quickly to the top of the tree. 'I should have never trusted a wicked person,' he thought. 'Such trust will destroy me completely. I am grateful for the second chance. It is like being born again. The crocodile was waiting for him. He now seemed to be in a hurry. 'Why are you taking so much time?' he called out. 'Get your heart quickly. 'You fool!' the monkey shouted back. 'Have you heard of anyone who has two hearts? You ungrateful creature! Get away at once and don't come back ever again. People who are hungry can do anything evil, just to get food, like the cobra.' The crocodile asked him to narrate the story of the cobra.