When the monkey saw Kuroop
He let out a joyful whoop
Jumped from branch to branch with pleasure,
Flinging down the golden treasure:
'Eat,my friend, and take your wife
Nectar from the tree of life−
Mangoes ripe and mangoes rare,
Mangoes, mangoes everywhere.'

Then Kuroop the crocodile
Gazed up with gentle smile:
'Monkey, you are far too kind,
But today, if you don't mind,
Dine with both of us, and meet
Her whose life you've made so sweet.
When you meet her you will see
Why she means so much to me.
When she takes you by the paw
Something at your heart will gnaw.
When you gaze into her eyes
You will enter Paradise 
Let us show our gratitude:
Share our friendship and our food.'

'Dear Kuroop, dear crocodile,
You can swim from isle to isle.
I can leap from limb to limb,
But, my friend, I cannot swim. 
And your island's far away.
If I get a boat some day...'
'Nonsense; jump upon my back.
You're no heavier than my sack
Filled with mangoes to the crown.'
So the monkey clambered down,
bearing mangoes, and delighted
with such warmth to be invited.

They were just halfway across
When then crocodile said: 'Toss
All the mangoes in the water.'
'But these fruit are all I've brought her.'
'You yourself are gift enough,'
Said Kuroop in accents gruff.

'Ah, my friend, that's  very gracious.'
'Well, my wife's not so voracious−
And I'm certain that today
She won't eat fruit. By the way,
Tell me what your breast contains.
Mango nectar fills your breast contains.
Mango nectar fills your veins.
Does it also fill your heart?'
said the monkey with a start:
'What a very curious question.'
'Well, she might get indigestion
If it's too rich, I support.'
'What?' 'Your heart.' 'My heart?' 'Correct.'
'Now,' Kuroop said with a frown,
'Which would you prefer--to drown
In the Ganga or to be
Gutted by my wife and me?
I will let you choose your  end.
After all, you are my friend.'
Then he slowly started sinking.
'Wait, ' the monkey said, 'I' thinking.
Death by drowning, death by slaughter
− Death by land or death by water−
I'd face either with a smile
For your sake, O crocodile!
But your wife's felicity
That's what means the most to me.
Noble lady! How she'll freeze,
Dumb with sorrow, when she sees,
Having prised my ribs apart,
That my breast contains no heart.
If you had not rushed me so, 
I'd have found the time to go
To the hollow where I keep 
Heart and liver when I sleep,
half My brain, a fingernail,
Cufflinks, chutney and spare tail.
I had scarcely woken up
When you asked me here to sup.
Why did you not speak before?
I'd have fetched them from the shore.'

Now Kuroop the crocodile 
Lost, then quickly found, his smile.
'How my sweetheart will upbraid me!
Monkey, monkey--- you must aid me.'
'well...' the monkey placed his paw
Thoughtfully upon his jaw,
'Well, although the day is hot
And I'd really rather not
We could go back, fetch my heart,
check its sweetness, and depart.'

So the crocodile once more
swam the monkey back to shore,
And, with tears of thankfulness
Mingled with concern and stress,
Worried what his wife would say
With regard to his delay,
Begged his friend ; ' come back at once.'
'I' m not  such a double-dunce,'
Yelled the monkey from on high;
'Tell your scaly wife to try
eating her own wicked heart
−If she has one−for a start
Mine's been beating in my breast
Night and day without  a rest.
Tell her that − and − for you,
here's my parting gift−' he threw
Mangoes−squishy, rotten, dead−
Down upon the reptile's head,
who, with a regretful smile,
Sat and eyed him for a while.