Introduction
The Selfish Crocodile.Each morning an enormous and very active crocodile screams this selfish advice Stay away from my river! It’s MY river! If you arrive in my river, I’ll destroy you all!’ The mammals in the jungle don’t understand what to do. All are scared of the crocodile. Also, the fish, tadpoles, toads, crabs, and crayfish stay outside of the river. Till one time, the creatures are awakened by a heavy groaning noise, which swings out to be the selfish crocodile in a lot of injuries, and the tiniest of them all, a little rat, finds a way to resolve their active dilemma! Astoundingly sharp, bright illustrations bring to life all the beautiful creations of the forest in a rainbow of shades.
And so when the Selfish Crocodile discovers himself in shocking pain, no-one desires to help him – after all, what if he cackles them up? But, to everyone’s shock, there is one animal in the jungle who is ready to help.
The Selfish Crocodile By Faustin Charles
Deep in the forest, in the river, lived a large crocodile. He was a very selfish crocodile. He didn’t want any other creature to drink or bathe in the river. He thought it was his river. Every day, he shouted to the creatures of the forest, “Stay away from my river! It’s my river. If you come in my river, I’ll eat you all.”
So there were no fish, no tadpoles, no frogs, no crabs, no crayfish in the river. All were afraid of the selfish crocodile. The forest creatures kept away from the river as well. Whenever they were thirsty, they went for miles to drink in other rivers and streams.
Every day, the crocodile lay on his great, big back in the sun, picking his big, sharp teeth with a stick.
But early one morning, the forest was awakened by a loud, groaning sound. Something was in terrible pain. The creatures thought that it was an animal caught by the crocodile.But as the sun came out brightly, they saw that it was the crocodile who was in pain. He was laying on his big back, holding his swollen jaw, and he was crying real tears.
The creatures drew closer, but not too close. Some of the creatures felt sorry for the crocodile.
“What’s the matter with him?” asked a deer.
“I don’t know,” said a squirrel.
“Maybe he’s going to die,” chirped a bird.
“If that happens it’ll be safe to go in the river!” grunted a wild pig.
The animals thought about this. They hung from branches. They hung from vines. They buzzed in the air. And they shook their heads as they watched the great, big crocodile in pain. No animal tried to help.
Suddenly, a little mouse appeared, sniffing the air. He ran along the crocodile’s tail, then on to his tummy. The other creatures stared.
“Look at that mouse,” chattered a monkey. “He’s either very brave or mad.”
“He’s going to be eaten for sure.” said an iguana.The mouse crept along the crocodile’s big neck, and into his open mouth. There was a hush in the forest.
The mouse got hold of something and pulled, and pulled, and pulled. Then he put it on his shoulder and walked out of the crocodile’s mouth. There was a loud cheer from the astonished creatures.The crocodile sat up and said, “I don’t feel any more pain. It’s all gone.” Then he saw the mouse walking down his tummy, carrying an enormous crocodile tooth on his shoulder.
“Your bad tooth was giving you the toothache,” answered the mouse, turning around to face the now smiling crocodile. “Do you want it back?” “Oh no, no, no, no. Get rid of it and when you’ve done that, come back. I’ll have a present for you.”The mouse went and buried the bad tooth under a tree. And when he returned, the crocodile had a nice and juicy nut waiting for him.
As the crocodile watched the mouse eating the nut, he said to him, “You are very clever, getting rid of my toothache, and kind, too. I am so grateful. But what shall I do if my toothache comes back?” “Don’t worry. I’ll help you take care of your teeth,” answered the mouse, nibbling.Soon, the crocodile and the mouse were the best of friends.
And one day, the crocodile sent all the animals an invitation. “Please come to drink and bathe in the river. I won’t hurt you. The river belongs to us all,” he said.The creatures weren’t afraid to drink and bathe in the river anymore. Although the crocodile was sometimes snappy, they grew to love him. And soon, the river was full of fish, and tadpoles, and crabs, and crayfish.
“The Selfish Crocodile” Book Read Aloud Youtube Video
Conversations
So what conversation will you have with your child after reading this book?
Some questions you might like to ask are:
How was crocodile?
Crocodile was a very selfish.
Everyday he shouted to the creatures of the forest, and say what?
Every day, he shouted to the creatures of the forest, “Stay away from my river! It’s my river.
What ask bird about crocodile?
“Maybe he’s going to die,”
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