Long ago, the crocodile had a smooth golden skin. He would spend all day in the muddy waters and only come out at night. All the other animals would come and admire his beautiful golden skin. Gradually, the crocodile became very proud of his skin and started coming out of the water to bask in the other animals’ admiration, even while the sun was shining. He began thinking he was better than the other animals and started bullying them. The other animals became angry with his change in attitude. Slowly, fewer and fewer animals came to look at his skin. But each day as the crocodile exposed his skin to the sun, it became uglier, bumpier and thicker. Soon, it was transformed into what looked like a bulging armour. The crocodile never recovered from the shame. Even today he disappears from the view when others approach, with only his eyes and nostrils above the surface of the water.
The Crocodile’s Skin
