Let us follow Hisham as he lay exhausted among the frogs, still stunned by the stone the monkey had hurled upon his head. The frogs gathered round him, consulting one another on what they should do, while the elder frog advised that they compel the monkey by force to yield to their will.
One of the frogs said:
"But how can we force the monkey to our will with strength, when we are weak and he is strong, aided by his speed in combat and struggle?"
The elder frog replied:
"We have many powerful friends. If they learn his story, they will surely help us seize the crown from him. The crocodiles, the sea lions, and even the elephants are all our allies."
Another frog said:
"Let us call upon the elephant to uproot the sycamore tree on which the monkey dwells, and we shall seize him when he falls from its branches."
"Do you wish to punish the monkey or the tree?"
"Of course, we wish to punish the monkey."
"Then why think of uprooting the tree?"
"It is the only means to force the monkey into our hands."
"And what crime has the tree committed?"
"Its crime is that it bears the monkey, shelters him, and gives him the chance to climb beyond our reach or the reach of our friends."
The elder said:
"Know that the sycamore tree has rendered to you and to all creatures the noblest of services."
Another frog objected:
"What service, when it stands idle in its place, content to be the refuge of this ugly ape?"
The elder frog answered:
"My sons, how hasty you are in judgment. Listen. When this creature grew vile in his deeds, disobeyed his Lord, and was transformed into a monkey after once being a sound man, he found no refuge to shelter him. All creatures cast him out, knowing of his sin and ill intent. The strong pursued him, the weak shunned him, none accepted his nearness nor granted him lodging. To live beside him was torment, to shelter him was calamity. All creatures united in banishing him, and they puzzled over where he might go. The mountains refused him, the trees withheld themselves, the birds and beasts declined to dwell near him. At last, they fell into great perplexity, until this very sycamore tree before you spoke, saying:
'I shall relieve you of him. I shall bear his harm and his vile company, sparing you for the sake of your peace, your pure hearts, your untroubled senses. I seek no reward save God's, enduring with patience to shield all creatures from his evil.'
"That is what the sycamore did for you. Shall we now repay her kindness with her uprooting?"
The frogs cried out:
"No, no!"
The elder frog concluded:
"My counsel is that we summon the crocodiles to gather around the tree and besiege it, so that he cannot descend for food. Thus we shall compel him either to climb down and surrender the crown, accepting his punishment, or perish of hunger in its branches."
All the frogs shouted their approval of this counsel.
But the monkey, listening to their words, gave them no heed. His rage against the frogs only grew, yet swiftly his mind began to devise a plan to confront what they had agreed upon. Suddenly his face lit with an idea he thought would save him. He hurled curses and insults at the elder frog, seized a stone of raw diamond, and flung it at him, intending to kill. Yet he missed his mark, and the elder frog escaped, leaping quickly into the river. The rest of the frogs likewise plunged into the waters to escape the monkey's malice and cunning. Only the small frog remained beside Hisham, the Servant of the River, refusing to leave his side.
The monkey then carried the remaining stones from branch to branch, piling them atop the tree in readiness to use against the crocodiles should they besiege him. Afterward, he sought with honeyed words to persuade the little frog to let him go free and tell no one. He planned to abandon the sycamore and leave the crocodiles and frogs to think him still within the house he had built, their long wait thus turning to his great advantage. But the little frog held his silence, refusing to answer. The monkey pleaded and coaxed him before the crocodiles might arrive, yet the little frog remained steadfast in his watch over his beloved friend, the Servant of the River, his eyes never leaving the monkey's movements. At last, the monkey despaired of persuading him, abandoning all hope of executing his scheme. He sat brooding over his fate, gazing at the rough diamonds amassed upon the tree, at the splendid crown upon which he had labored so greatly to fashion in this unique form, then at the wounded Servant of the River and the small frog by his side. He swayed his head to and fro, pondering deeply. Then he climbed to the highest branch, gazing out over the world as he searched once more for a way of escape. Suddenly his face brightened again, and he burst into loud laughter, heaping curses and insults upon the small frog, the other frogs, and especially the elder frog, who had gone to seek the Lord of the Crocodiles.
When the elder frog reached him, he greeted him and said:
"We were about to celebrate you as the crowned lord of the river, but events have arisen to prevent it."
"What events?" asked the crocodile lord.
"A dispute over the crown that was fashioned for you, which trickery and guile have withheld."
"And who withholds it from you?"
"The monkey."
"What monkey?"
"The one who dwells in the sycamore tree."
"And how did he prevent you?"
"He fashioned it for a wage and received many times his payment from the Servant of the River. Yet when he finished it, its beauty pleased him and he begrudged it to you. Worse still, he cast a stone upon the Servant of the River's head when he pressed to receive the crown, after exhausting himself in paying the price."
"And what would you have me do?" asked the lord.
"Take possession of the crown that shall adorn your head, and restore the Servant of the River to his former human state."
"But how shall we climb the tree to seize the crown?"
"It will be simple if we besiege the monkey, preventing him from descending for food, and force him to choose between hunger and surrendering the crown."
"A splendid idea. And has the crown indeed been completed? Have you seen it with your own eyes?"
"My lord, let us waste no more words. Let us go at once, and there you shall see with your eyes what will delight you."
The lord of the crocodiles agreed, calling upon his followers to gather around the sycamore tree, and set off swiftly with the elder frog.
When the monkey beheld the vast host of crocodiles surrounding the tree, and among them their lord, he was certain his end had come, doomed beyond doubt. Then he cried in a loud voice:
"Welcome, O great lord of the crocodiles, and welcome to your noble people! How fortunate I am today, graced with your honored visit!"
The crocodile lord returned his greeting, marveling at such a welcome. Then the monkey said:
"I have prepared for you a crown that shall be the marvel of the world, a crown before which all kings and all the people of the earth shall bow in envy. Look!"
And he held forth the crown, turning it so that it gleamed from every angle. The crocodile lord's admiration grew at the sight of the crown destined for his head.
Then the monkey continued:
"Yet such a crown must not be delivered except in a splendid ceremony befitting its magnificence."
The crocodile lord said:
"Indeed, such a crown deserves a festival and rites worthy of its completion."
The monkey added:
"And afterward you shall be the crowned lord of all the creatures of the waters. How I longed to bring it to you myself, to present it with my own hand, but two reasons prevented me."
The lord replied:
"No, no, my friend, it is not necessary that you weary yourself further after all you have done in its making. I have come myself to you."
The monkey said:
"Did I not tell you that the crown's presentation requires a certain method known only to me? I should have brought it to you in this way, but alas, two causes hindered me. The first is that I cannot swim. The second is that there is one among us who sows discord and belittles the crown and the manner of its delivery."
The crocodile lord asked:
"And who is it that sows discord?"
The monkey pointed toward the old frog, then at the River Servant who lay injured, and said:
"This old fool, and that ignorant River Servant who tried to ruin my great work with his stupidity and insolence! Both of them conspired to insult me in the most disgraceful way. That is why I resolved to present my complaint before the Lord of the Crocodiles. Only after justice is served, according to the ancient traditions, will I hand over the crown. For I fear that rumors will spread, saying you accepted the crown without the proper rites—and that would diminish your majesty in the eyes of kings."
At once the old frog cried out:
"Do not listen to him, or you'll fall into his deceit! The only matter between us is that he must surrender the crown."
The Lord of the Crocodiles turned to the monkey and said:
"Then come down, and present the crown according to the rites you speak of."
The monkey replied slyly:
"I will, but such rites cannot be performed unless justice is established first."
"And what is your complaint?" asked the Lord of the Crocodiles.
"My complaint is against those two I mentioned. I will not linger on what they did, but I have a simple request."
"What is it?"
"That the ceremonies must begin with offerings."
"Offerings shall be made," said the Lord.
"And tradition dictates that the maker of the crown chooses the offerings."
"It makes no difference who chooses them—we delight in offerings," the Lord replied.
"My choice," the monkey announced with malice, "has fallen on this old frog and the River Servant himself!"
A great outcry rose from frogs and crocodiles alike:
"The monkey deceives—do not heed him!"
But the monkey sneered:
"They are but beasts with no wisdom. True offerings must be precious, and that is why I have chosen them!"
Then the little frog stepped forward, bold and steadfast, and addressed the Lord of the Crocodiles:
"You pledged to the River Servant that if he brought you a crown of polished diamond, you would restore him to his human form when you placed it upon your head. All here know his loyalty and devotion. You yourself lightened his sentence when you learned of his good conduct. He fulfilled your command, paying dearly with heaps of uncut diamonds now piled upon this tree, yet the monkey has broken his word and delays handing over the crown. All we ask is that he descend and surrender it to you. Afterwards, you may judge his crime of striking down the River Servant with a stone, which still leaves him lying senseless before you."
The frogs and crocodiles roared in agreement.
The little frog pressed on:
"I say, demand he descend and give you the crown without delay. If he obeys, then ask him about the insult he claims he suffered. If he refuses, then you will know him for the deceiver he is—just as he deceived the River Servant before."
The Lord of the Crocodiles found wisdom in the little frog's words. He turned to the monkey:
"Come down, surrender the crown. Then we will hear your grievance."
But the monkey shrieked:
"You listen to these small creatures and ignore the counsel that will elevate your glory among the kingdoms?"
"Your counsel shall be considered," the Lord replied, "but only after you descend. First, give me the crown."
"I cannot violate tradition!" the monkey howled.
Then the Lord ordered his crocodiles to surround the tree. The monkey tried to pelt them with stones, but they kept their distance beyond his reach. The raw diamonds, small and jagged, could not harm their armored hides. He leapt from branch to branch, baffled, hurling curses down at them. At last, retreating to the hut he had built high in the sycamore, he vanished from sight.
Night fell. Peering from his hut, the monkey spied the crocodiles still keeping watch. Hours dragged by. Silence weighed heavy, and weariness overcame the guards. One by one they dozed. Then, as only he could, the monkey slipped down the tree with a stealth that mocked the darkness, light and swift as shadow. Within moments, he had crossed the line of sentries and vanished into the wilderness—the crown still clutched in his grasp.
Dawn broke. The crocodiles still held their siege, certain the monkey was within. All day they kept their vigil, yet he made no sound, no movement. Suspicion stirred in the little frog. Creeping to the tree, he peered upward into the tangle of branches but saw no trace of him. Turning back, he noticed faint footprints on the earth leading away. He followed them until the trail ended among rocks, and cried out:
"The monkey has fled! The monkey has escaped!"
Alarm swept through the ranks. Crocodiles surged into the river. Scouts spread in every direction. But the trail was broken, lost among the stones. Meanwhile, the little frog sat beside his stricken friend, sorrow heavy upon him—for the monkey had carried off the crown, and with it the hope of breaking the River Servant's curse.
…
Far away, the monkey crept toward a narrow channel of the river. If he crossed it, he could vanish into the land of the elephants, where none would trouble him. He waited, hidden for days, watching the waters. At last, silence lay deep upon the channel. With nimble steps he began to cross, clinging to the rocks. At the far end he paused, the crown in his hand, a wicked grin spreading across his face. He mocked the crocodiles and frogs he had outwitted, then stooped to drink. But as he lifted his head, a crocodile rose before him, barring the way.
"Welcome, old friend," the monkey stammered. "How glad I am to see you!"
"No welcome for you," the crocodile growled. "Only misery at your sight!"
Startled, the monkey pleaded: "Surely you, of all, know my heart—I am kind, am I not? Say it before the others arrive! Tell them I love you, I love all of you. Who would kill one who loves you?"
The crocodile answered coldly: "And because of this 'love,' you shall be the offering at the feast where the crown is delivered."
Panic seized the monkey. He leapt wildly, crown in hand, trying to clear the crocodile. The tail lashed—striking him off balance. The crown spun from his grasp and splashed into the depths. The monkey tumbled, barely righting himself before another blow could finish him. He scrambled, swift as the wind, fleeing into the high rocks. The crocodile pursued, but the monkey pelted him with stones until at last he fell lifeless. Then, gasping, the monkey sped on—toward the kingdom of the elephants.
There, he found the royal court. Swearing oaths of urgency, he was admitted before the Elephant King. Bowing low until he crouched at the monarch's feet, the monkey said:
"May my lord the King accept the highest tokens of loyalty and obedience!"
The Elephant King nodded. "We accept your loyalty. Raise your head, and speak."
"My lord," the monkey cried, "I bring grave tidings of terrible injustice!"
"What injustice?" asked the King.
"The crocodiles have dared to insult your majesty itself!"
"Explain yourself—what has happened?"
The monkey bowed low before the King of the Elephants and said:
"I had resolved to journey to your majesty, for I knew with certainty that your kingdom is the greatest of all kingdoms, and that my lord the King is the most just and fair of all rulers on earth. All creatures live secure under your shadow, assured by the presence of a mighty sovereign who grants them justice and peace. It is known far and wide that the Kingdom of the Elephants is the happiest of realms, its life prosperous, its days joyous, and thus its years long."
"I had determined to settle near your majesty, to live under your justice and enjoy your protection. Before departing, it was not fitting that I arrive without a gift. I labored to draw forth the finest thought, to offer my lord what befits his station. Then an idea came to me, one never before conceived and beyond all price. Night and day I toiled along the riverbanks, patiently shaping a marvel of the age. After long years, I completed the great crown—an unrivaled masterpiece, wondrous in beauty and flawless in craft. So overjoyed was I that I summoned the beasts to behold it, and they all proclaimed it fit only for the King of the Elephants. With gladness I bore it toward your majesty. But then, the unexpected happened: the crocodiles of the river waylaid me, seized the crown, and declared that their lord was more deserving of coronation. I fought them fiercely, but they overpowered me, and the crown fell into the water. I barely escaped with my life, as they showered me with curses and insults, saying dreadful words against you, my lord…"
Then the monkey fell silent.
The King asked: "And what did they say?"
"Spare me, my lord, for they uttered vile speech unfit for my tongue."
"Speak without fear," said the King.
"They said… they said, my lord, they said: 'Tell the King of the Elephants he is more foolish than the mules.'"
"And then what?" asked the King.
"Then they gathered the frogs, led by a venomous old one, and hurled curses and insults at your majesty. I suggest that you send a trusted envoy to verify the truth of my words and to see the crown. Perhaps they have already set it upon the head of their master, who usurped your gift. Let the envoy also inquire in secret who fashioned the crown, and bring the answer back to you."
The Elephant King turned to one of his lords and said:
"Go to the river, visit the Lord of the Crocodiles, and inquire about a great crown. Ask also who made it."
But the monkey interrupted:
"My lord, if the crocodiles see an elephant after what transpired, they will surely be on their guard and reveal nothing. Better to send another animal whose presence will not arouse suspicion."
The King of the Elephants replied:
"Your counsel is wise indeed! How I am in need of such prudent advisers. If it is proven that you truly crafted the crown for me, I shall make you my special counselor, as a reward for your gift and your sound judgment."
The monkey exclaimed:
"May God preserve my lord the King—my head, my father, and my mother be ransomed for you!"
The King asked:
"Whom do you think fit for this mission?"
The monkey answered:
"The decision is with my lord…"
The King said:
"I have a bull, a trusted friend in whom I place great confidence."
The monkey replied:
"A most excellent choice—he is well-suited for this task."
So the King summoned the bull and charged him to go to the river, to inquire about the crown and learn who had made it. The bull set out at once to gather news of the crocodiles and their lord.
Meanwhile, the crocodiles had gathered in great numbers near the tunnel, for word had spread of the monkey's passage there. The crocodile whom the monkey had slain had earlier sent word to them. When they arrived and discovered their companion dead, they were enraged, rushing wildly in search of the monkey, but returned with nothing but frustration. Yet while searching, they found the crown lying at the bottom of the river. Their hearts swelled with both joy and grief—joy at retrieving the crown, grief at losing their comrade and failing to catch the monkey. They carried the crown back to their lord with great shouts.
By then, the River Servant had regained his strength. As he sat with the Sea Lion, who tended him, he began to feel strange changes and pains coursing through his body. At first he thought it the medicine at work, but soon the transformation overwhelmed him. He looked at himself in wonder as the pain gave way to joy, and he cried out in ecstasy:
"Praise be to God! Thanks be to God! I have become a man again—I have returned to my human form!"
He fell prostrate, repeating:
"Glory be to my Lord, the Most High!"
He remained long in prayer.
This transformation befell Hisham at the very moment the crocodiles placed the crown upon their lord's head in a great celebration, joined by the frogs, who had long known this hour would mark the River Servant's release. They hurried to him, surrounding him as he prayed, marveling at his noble form, his handsome face, his radiant presence.
When he rose from his prostration, the frogs gathered round, congratulating him with joy. Together they escorted him in procession to the Lord of the Crocodiles. The meeting was splendid. He sat beside their lord, gazing at the gleaming crown upon his head. Yet in his eyes, for all its beauty and rarity, it was of little worth compared to regaining his humanity. He recalled his trials, the hardships endured, the lessons learned, the friendships gained—all of it shone in the gratitude that filled his eyes as he praised God.
As all rejoiced, the bull arrived and greeted the Lord of the Crocodiles, who returned his greeting.
The bull asked:
"This crown is wondrous—who made it?"
The Lord of the Crocodiles answered:
"The monkey made it."
"I see," said the bull.
The Lord of the Crocodiles asked:
"Does our guest the bull have a need we may fulfill?"
The bull replied:
"No."
"Then why have you come, against custom?"
The bull said:
"The King of the Elephants sent me, at the request of his companion the monkey, to observe your doings and bring him word."
At this the crocodiles roared:
"A spy! A spy!"
They fell upon him with furious blows. The bull, astonished by their treachery, fled for his life, running with all his strength until at last he reached the King of the Elephants, battered and in misery.
The King asked:
"What happened?"
"They harmed me grievously, though I did no wrong!"
"How so?"
"They received me with deceit, and when I began to speak, they betrayed me with violence and beatings!"
"Did you see their lord?"
"Yes, I saw him reclining, wearing a crown of marvelous beauty and craftsmanship. I knew then it was made by the monkey."
At that, the monkey fell to his knees before the King of the Elephants and said:
"This, my lord, is the way of aggressors: they stole your crown, they struck its maker, they assaulted your friend the bull, and they dishonored your envoy."
The King of the Elephants asked:
"And what do you advise?"
"My lord, they will not learn except by discipline—by a war they will never forget."
"You speak wisely," said the King, and he commanded his aides to gather elephants from every place, preparing for war.