Money to the Crocodiles

Two poor children of five and six years old were visiting the zoo for the first time. They were excited to see the huge and different animals. They were greatly intrigued as they saw the monkeys scamper from limb to limb and from trampoline to rope. The lion’s roar was deafening, and the screech of the peacocks was a new unusual sound.

Then they arrived at the crocodile pit. They were large ones. But were they dead?

They just lay motionless. They did not even appear to breath. As the children gazed at the great reptiles and chatted about the seemingly lifeless creatures, a man stood next to them overhearing their inquiries. He took a dollar out of his pocket and threw it into the pit.

Then recognizing the impoverished lot of the children encouraged them to climb over the fence and go fetch the much-needed money. The children not knowing the danger thought it a good idea to get this easy money. After all, they were convinced that no harm would come from the apparently harmless creatures.

Fortunately for them, their stepfather had just caught up with the children and happened to overhear the cruel man’s suggestion. He immediately grabbed his children. With anger, he blasted the hateful man and threatened to throw him into the pit to retrieve his dollar. The man made a hasty retreat never to be seen again.