The Hen and the Crocodile

The Hen and the Crocodile:

Once upon a time, in the heart of Sub-Saharan Africa, lived a hen named Ngap and a crocodile named Croco. Their lives were intertwined by the river that flowed through the savannah. One scorching day, Ngap went to the river to quench her thirst, unaware that Croco was lurking nearby, eyeing her as a potential meal.

The First Encounter: As Ngap sipped the cool water, Croco sprang out and grabbed her by the tail. Ngap, startled and frightened, cried out, "Let me go, Croco! Let me go, dear brother!"

Croco was taken aback. "Why does this hen call me her brother?" he wondered. His curiosity outweighed his hunger, and he released her.

The Second Encounter: The next day, Ngap returned to the river, and once again, Croco lay in wait. Determined not to let his meal escape this time, he grabbed her by the wing. But Ngap cried out even louder, "Let me go, Croco! Let me go, dear brother!"

Once again, Croco's curiosity got the better of him. "Why does she keep calling me brother?" he thought, puzzled. He released her again, unwilling to harm what he now considered a family member.

Seeking Advice: Perplexed by the strange encounters, Croco decided to seek advice from his wise friend, the lizard. "Listen, Lizard," Croco began, "something extraordinary happened to me. I caught a hen by the river, intending to eat her, but she called me her dear brother. Am I really related to hens?"

The lizard burst into laughter. "Ngap was not lying, Croco. Don't you know that hens are born from eggs, just like you crocodiles?"

Croco nodded thoughtfully. "You're right, my friend Lizard. I never thought of it that way. In a sense, hens are indeed our sisters or, at the very least, our cousins."

A Lesson Learned: From that day on, Croco never again considered hens as potential meals. He respected them as distant relatives, and peace was restored by the river. Ngap and Croco even became friends, often seen sharing stories by the riverbank.

Moral of the Story: This story teaches us the importance of understanding and respecting others. By recognizing our shared origins and commonalities, we can live harmoniously with those around us. Croco learned that by seeing Ngap not as prey, but as family, he found a new friend and a peaceful life by the river.

The End: This tale of Ngap and Croco shows children that empathy and understanding can transform relationships, even with those who seem different from us. It’s a reminder that we all share this world and can coexist peacefully by acknowledging our connections.