FOLKLORE
AFRICAN LEGEND OF THE CROCODILE
Long ago in some villages in Namibia, Africa, they say the crocodile had smooth, golden skin. They say the crocodile spent all day under water and only came out at night. His skin was said to be as bright and beautiful as the moon's reflection on it.
The animals that went to drink at the river became entranced as they gazed upon crocodile's beautiful golden skin.
The crocodile, proud of his beautiful skin, began to leave the water during the day for all to admire. Other animals now not only visited him at night, but also came during the day to feast their eyes upon all his glory.
The sun, however, slowly began to dry his skin until it became stained and hardened with scales. When this change happened, the animals stopped coming by to gaze upon him and even stopped going to the water for a drink during the day.
The crocodile never recovered from this humiliation and ever since then, when he is approached, he plunges quickly into the water so that all you see are his nostrils and his eyes.
The animals that went to drink at the river became entranced as they gazed upon crocodile's beautiful golden skin.
The crocodile, proud of his beautiful skin, began to leave the water during the day for all to admire. Other animals now not only visited him at night, but also came during the day to feast their eyes upon all his glory.
The sun, however, slowly began to dry his skin until it became stained and hardened with scales. When this change happened, the animals stopped coming by to gaze upon him and even stopped going to the water for a drink during the day.
The crocodile never recovered from this humiliation and ever since then, when he is approached, he plunges quickly into the water so that all you see are his nostrils and his eyes.