Critical Analysis: On the surface a children’s poem, But at its heart The Crocodile and the Monkey by Vikram Seth is a well spun tale of friendship, kindness, betrayal and subsequent estrangement. Rewriting the moralistic tale of not trusting those who are untrustworthy, from the Panchatantra, Seth presents this story in a poetic form with a nursery rhyme-like tune with humanised animals conversing and imparting values. Kuroop the crocodile is a character whose major objective is to impress his wife and cater to all her needs. For this purpose he brings her carcass of his prey and also agrees to sacrifice his own friend, the monkey to satisfy her appetite. His wife, Felicity is shown to be greedy, manipulative and selfish as she wants to devour the same monkey’s heart, who had been providing her with sweet mangoes through so many years. Her concern lies only with her own well being as she put her husband, Kuroop’s friendship with the monkey on the back burner and demanded that he betray his friend and satiate her greed. The monkey’s presence of mind and shrewdness was identified when he outsmarted Kuroop after knowing about his evil intentions and managed to save his life.

Well , although the day is hot
And I'd rather not...
a)in what context does the speaker say this?
b) what is the speaker trying to do and what is your opinion of the speaker in the context?
c) describe the event that follow this
in the poem the crocodile and the monkey by Vikram seth

The Central Idea of the Poem "The Monkey and the Crocodile"

The central idea of the poem "The Monkey and the Crocodile" revolves around the theme of friendship, trust, and betrayal. The poem narrates the story of a clever monkey and a cunning crocodile who become friends, but the crocodile's greed leads to the betrayal of their friendship.

1. Introduction:
The poem begins by introducing the characters of the monkey and the crocodile. It sets the stage for their unlikely friendship and the events that unfold thereafter.

2. The Friendship between Monkey and Crocodile:
The poem highlights the strong bond and friendship that develops between the monkey and the crocodile. They spend their time together, sharing stories, and enjoying each other's company. The monkey is portrayed as kind-hearted and innocent, while the crocodile is depicted as cunning and sly.

3. The Crocodile's Greed:
The turning point of the poem occurs when the crocodile's wife desires to eat the monkey's heart, believing it would make her stronger. The crocodile wrestles with his conscience, torn between his loyalty to his friend and his desire to fulfill his wife's wish.

4. Betrayal and Deception:
In a moment of weakness, the crocodile decides to deceive the monkey and take him to his home, where his wife eagerly waits to devour him. The crocodile lies to the monkey, saying that his wife has invited him for dinner.

5. The Monkey's Wit and Escape:
The clever monkey senses danger and realizes the crocodile's malicious intentions. He comes up with a clever plan to save himself. He tells the crocodile that he left his heart on a tree, and if he goes back to get it, he will give it to the crocodile. The monkey's wit and intelligence enable him to escape the clutches of danger.

6. Morality of the Story:
The poem concludes with a moral lesson about trust and the consequences of betraying a friend's trust. It highlights the importance of true friendship and warns against the pitfalls of greed and deceit.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the central idea of the poem "The Monkey and the Crocodile" revolves around the themes of friendship, trust, and betrayal. It emphasizes the importance of trust in any relationship and serves as a cautionary tale against the perils of greed and deceit. The cleverness and wit of the monkey enable him to escape the crocodile's treachery, teaching us the value of intelligence and quick thinking in difficult situations.