The Treachery of Crocodile: An African Folktale of Water, Lions, and Betrayal
In the days when animals could still speak, Crocodile was the acknowledged foreman of all water creatures. Even now, one might say he still carries that air of authority. In those times, however, it was his duty to care for the water animals.
One year, a terrible drought struck, and the river where they lived dried up. Crocodile realized they would have to trek to another river not far away. He first sent Otter to spy. After two days, Otter returned with good news: the other river had deep sea-cow holes, so full that even years of drought could not dry them.
Satisfied, Crocodile called Tortoise and Alligator.
“Look here,” he said. “Tonight you must carry a message to Lion. The veldt is dry, and you may have to travel for days without water. We must make peace with Lion and his people, or we will perish. He must help us trek to the new river, past the Boer’s farm, and protect us from attack by the veldt animals. A fish on land is a helpless thing, as you know.”
The two messengers struggled under the burning sun but finally reached Lion and presented the treaty.
Lion read it thoughtfully. “I must consult Jackal first,” he said. To the messengers he replied that he would meet Crocodile the following evening under the big willow tree near the water hole.
When Tortoise and Alligator returned, Crocodile was delighted. He ordered Otter and others to prepare plenty of fish and food for their guests.
That evening, as darkness fell, Lion arrived with Wolf, Jackal, Baboon, and others. They were welcomed warmly. Crocodile even shed tears of joy, which dropped into the sand. After a great meal, Crocodile laid out the plan. He spoke of peace, warning that the Boer was the greater threat. Three steam pumps already drained the river for irrigation, and the Boer was killing water creatures caught in the shallows. If Lion agreed, both sides would survive: veldt animals could drink without fear of being seized, and water animals would be spared from Elephant, who often tossed them into trees to die.
Lion and Jackal stepped aside. Jackal was suspicious. “What security have you that Crocodile will keep his word?” he asked.
“My word of honor,” Crocodile replied, dropping more tears.
Baboon declared it honest and urged that they stop plotting against one another. Wolf, full of fish, also favored peace. Jackal still resisted, but Lion, persuaded by the others and by Crocodile’s pleas, agreed. A document was drawn up, and the trek was to begin at midnight.
Crocodile’s messengers spread the word. Soon frogs croaked and crickets chirped as water animals gathered at the willow. Lion summoned his commando as escort. The trek was carefully arranged: Elephant as advance guard, Lion leading one division, Crocodile’s followers in the middle, and Wolf at the rear. Jackal scouted ahead, though he whispered to Lion, “I’ll see you safely to the pools, but I won’t stay.”
Meanwhile, Crocodile secretly plotted. He told Yellow Snake, “When you hear my shout at the pools, harass the Boer’s dogs. The rest will take care of itself.”
At dawn they reached the sea-cow pools safely. Water animals slipped quickly into the deep water. Crocodile lingered, weeping with joy and giving a long speech of thanks.
Lion was preparing to depart when the first shot rang out. Elephant fell, along with others.
“I told you so!” shouted Jackal from across the pool. “Why believe Crocodile tears?”
By then, Crocodile had vanished into the water, leaving only bubbles. The Boers fired mercilessly, and though many animals escaped, the ambush had been deadly.
In the end, Crocodile met his fate too. It is said a driver with a load of dynamite ended his days. And even now, whenever Elephant gets the chance, he tosses Crocodile high into the forks of the trees, as vengeance for that long-ago betrayal.