Crocodile and Dog are good friends. They meet and help each other. On a party day, Dog invites Crocodile to share a good meal of beans.

• Beans! I will gladly accept to share them with you, says the crocodile.

The female Dog, the spouse of Dog, presents the host with a good plate well garnished. But before eating the dog says:

• It is a custom where I come from: to eat, the guest must sit down.

But Crocodile cannot sit down. He tries, but unfortunately, tired, and humiliated, he goes home to his place, leaving Dog and his wife, very happy, eating the beans without him.

Crocodile, then, prepares a good couscous for his birthday and invites his friend Dog. Dog arrives early with his wife. The smell of the sauce fills the entire household.

• It smells good, says the dog.
• Yes, very soon we will sit down, but start by drying your noses, because to eat this birthday meal, you must be clean!

Unfortunately, Dog always has a wet nose. Dog and female Dog go outside to dry their noses under the sun. But nothing changes. In the evening, they still have a wet nose. Then Crocodile enjoys his delicious meal alone.

Angry, Dog leaves his friend swearing: « Beware if I ever find you outside the water! »

Crocodile answers Dog: « Beware if I ever meet you near my waters! »

« Are we friends, or are we enemies? »

The French original can be found on Ouologuem Blog. Translated to English by Dr. Y., Afrolegends.com