Grandma's Lap; The Monkey and the Crocodile

I would sit on Grandma’s lap every night that I was at her house and listen to her read this story. “The Monkey and The Crocodile”: by Paul Galdone, a retelling of a classic Jataka tale from India. The original concept of the story is based on companionship and the correct timing of learning how to let go. The story done by Galdone really goes ham in the cunning trickery of two animals trying to outsmart each other. This overarching factor really made both Grandma and I laugh a lot, no matter how many times we read it. No matter how prickly the hairs on Grandma’s legs were, I always found warmth in being her baby grandson during story time. I was sitting on her lap up until I was 14 years old actually; Poor Grandma, having to deal with such a big, heavy, baby boy. Great, strong Grandma Marge. Nothing stopped her from connecting to her grandchildren. Listening to her read this story in my youth (before 14) inspired me to read on my own.

We would take turns reading the story, although I stuttered heavily back in the day. That didn’t matter. Grandma would sit through all of that and sometimes work the words out with me until I get it right. Great, patient, loving Grandma Marge. When I reached teenage years I would read the story to her, all on my own. What a great sprint into adulthood that was (even though I was still sitting on her lap). We never got tired of this story. It was like we became the Monkey and the Crocodile but in a different way with a different parable in the story.

The beginning premises of the story speaks about how lonely the Monkey was, and how he was seeking companionship. The Monkey and the Crocodile become good friends and communicate with each other on a daily basis. The problem that does occur; is when the wife of the Crocodile in the story appears. Of course; as a good husband should, the Crocodile listens to his wife and tries to trick the Monkey so he can eat him together with his partner. The Monkey needed to learn how to let go of his friend in order to survive. Now, that was his wife's idea and not his own, I think that if the Crocodile was single we would be reading a different story.

I believe that my Grandma and I were the Crocodile and the Monkey in a parallel universe. It's as if we were those characters frozen in time, in the beginning of the story. We loved listening to each other and talking to each other. She would come to my tree and pick me up. Great, strong Grandma Marge. She was like the Crocodile, although instead of her back I would sit on her lap. She swam and swam and swam through creative waters. Teaching me, speaking to me and listening to me. I would tell her about my life, as little as I was all the way until the grown up I am now. We never tried to trick each other though and that's why I say we continue that story through a parallel universe. Unfortunately, my beloved Crocodile is no longer with us. She swam and swam and swam through creative waters, and dove deep into the River of Jordan. I will continue to grow with the tree that you left me Grandma and share all of my bananas as much as possible. I will greet every creature in the same way you would and continue being the best baby grandson that you thought I was. This Monkey will never forget his beloved Crocodile and how strong her warm lap was. Oh great, strong Grandma Marge, how I miss you so and how I will always feel your presence in my life. Sending out waves of universal light and laughter; may our story continue through parallel universes. - Love, your baby grand Monkey Patrick