the selfish crocodile by foston charles and illustrated by michael terry deep in the forest in the river lived a large crocodile he was a very selfish crocodile he didn't want any other creature to drink or bathe in the river he thought it was his river every day he shouted to the creatures of the forest stay away from my river it's my river if you come in my river i'll eat you all so there were no fish no tadpoles no frogs no crabs no crayfish in the river all were afraid of the selfish crocodile the forest creatures kept away from the river as well whenever they were thirsty they went for miles to drink in other rivers and streams every day the crocodile lay on his great big back in the sun picking his big sharp teeth with a stick but early one morning the forest was awakened by a loud groaning sound something was in terrible pain the creatures thought that it was an animal caught by the crocodile but as the sun came out brightly they saw that it was the crocodile who was in pain he was laying on his big back holding his swollen jaw and he was crying real tears the creatures drew closer but not too close some of the creatures felt sorry for the crocodile what's the matter with him asked a deer i don't know said a squirrel maybe he's going to die chirped a bird if that happens it'll be safe to go in the river grunted a wild pig the animals thought about this they hung from branches they hung from vines they buzzed in the air and they shook their heads as they watched the great big crocodile in pain no animal tried to help suddenly a little mouse appeared sniffing the air he ran along the crocodile's tail then onto his tummy the other creature stared look at that mouse chatted a monkey he's either very brave or mad he's going to be eaten for sure said an iguana the mouse crept along the crocodile's big neck and into his open mouth there was a hush in the forest the mouse got hold of something and pulled and pulled and pulled then he put it on his shoulder and walked out of the crocodile's mouth there was a loud cheer from the astonished creatures the crocodile set up and said i don't feel any more pain it's all gone then he saw the mouse walking down his tummy carrying an enormous crocodile tooth on his shoulder your bad tooth was giving you the toothache answered the mouth turning around to face the now smiling crocodile do you want it back oh no no no no get rid of it and when you've done that come back i'll have a present for you the mouse went and buried the bad tooth under a tree and when he returned the crocodile had a nice juicy nut waiting for him as the crocodile watched the mouth eating the nut he said to him you are very clever getting rid of my toothache and kind too i am so grateful but what shall i do if my toothache comes back don't worry i'll help you take care of your teeth answered the mouse nibbling soon the crocodile and the mouth were the best of friends and one day the crocodile sent all the animals an invitation please come to drink and bathe in the river i won't hurt you the river belongs to us all he said the creatures weren't afraid to drink and bathe in the river anymore although the crocodile was sometimes snappy they grew to love him and soon the river was full of fish and tadpoles and crabs and crayfish press the button below to subscribe like and share i hope you've enjoyed it see you next time