Crocodile and Baboon
Basilio Gimo
Jeremiah Dube

Baboon and Crocodile were the best of friends.

They played together. They ate together. They did everything together.

1

But one day, Crocodile got very sick. He was close to dying.

Crocodile went to the nyabezi. "If you want to get better, you have to eat baboon meat," said the nyabenzi.

2

When he heard this, Crocodile cried.

If he wanted to get better, he had no choice than to eat his friend the baboon.

3

When Baboon went to see his friend, he got on Crocodile's back.

Crocodile took Baboon out to the deepest part of the river.

4

"What is troubling you, my friend?" asked Baboon.

Crocodile said, "The nyabezi told me that if I want to get better I must eat you, my friend."

5

Baboon replied, "No, don't eat me. I'm too small!

Wait a minute and I'll call my grandfather. He's bigger than me. Eat him and you'll be full."

6

Crocodile said, "Where is this grandfather of yours?"

Baboon replied, "He's in the tree on that island."

Crocodile said, "Go and get him so that I may eat him."

7

Baboon jumped off Crocodile's back and ran straight up the tree.

Crocodile waited and waited. But Baboon did not return.

And that was the end of their friendship.

8
You are free to download, copy, translate or adapt this story and use the illustrations as long as you attribute in the following way:
Crocodile and Baboon
Author - Basilio Gimo
Translation - Little Zebra Books
Illustration - Jeremiah Dube, Little Zebra Books
Language - English
Level - First paragraphs