Stories for Kids - Story of Mouse Deer & Crocodile - Children's Bedtime Story

The story of mouse deer and a crocodile is one of my favorite Malaysian Folklore. It is also a favorite bedtime story with Malaysian kids.

The mouse deer or kancil , in our Malay language, is regarded as a humble and cunning animal. Despite its small size, it always managed to trick and defeat his enemy.

In our folklore, Sang Kancil ( Sang, means revered) is considered as the most intelligent animal in the forest. Many animals will come to seek advice and help from him. Despite being regarded as the most knowledgeable, Sang Kancil is still humble and doesn't show an arrogant attitude. He is always ready to help his fellow animals in the forest.

Bedtime Story for Kids

We have a lot of children's stories that revolve around Sang Kancil . This story, 'Stories for Kids - Story of Mouse Deer and Crocodile - Children's Bedtime Story' tells the tale of how Sang Kancil managed to outwit a crocodile ( Sang Buaya - buaya is crocodile in our language ). This is one of the many stories for kids about mouse deer.

Once upon a time, there lived a clever mouse deer that we will call Sang Kancil. He lives in the great forest and has many animal friends. There are also other animals that are not so friendly, animals who want to harm him or even eat him. So he always has to keep a watch out for these animals.

One day while walking along the river bank, he saw some delicious and yummy fruits on the other side of the river. As he was about to cross the river, his very good friend, the fish, quickly swam near Sang Kancil and warn him of the crocodile. The crocodile, Sang Buaya, is not a friendly animal. He is always trying to catch and eat Sang Kancil.

Sang Kancil is aware of that, so he has to think hard, how to cross over, safely. Finally he had a brilliant idea.

The mouse deer brilliant idea

Sang Kancil shouted for the crocodile "Sang Buaya,Sang Buaya!' The crocodile, hearing the mouse deer, slowly swim nearer to the river bank. "Yes Kancil, what can I do for you. Eat you?" "Ha ha ha, that's funny.

Sorry not today" said the mouse deer. 'The king is organizing a grand feast and he has asked me to invite all the animals in the forest. I need to know how many crocodiles will be attending this grand feast.'

'Oh...OK. I will tell the rest of my fellow crocodiles and will let you know later" said Sang Buaya.

"I can't wait that long, I need to know the answer, now. Please call all of them. Ask them to line up from this side of the river to the other side, so that I can count all of you' said Sang Kancil

Crossing the river

Sang Buaya wasn't sure if that's a good idea, but the thought of being invited by the king was too exciting. So he called all the crocodiles in the river, to line up as instructed by the mouse deer. "OK, we are all here. You can count us now" said Sang Buaya. 'But not until you promise not to eat me. Otherwise I will not be able to go back and inform the king on the number of animals, including you, the crocodiles, that will be attending the feast' said the mouse deer. "OK you have our promise' said Sang Buaya.

Sang Kancil quickly jumped onto the crocodile's back, counting the number as he jumped from one crocodile to the next crocodile. He keeps jumping and counting until he reached the other side of the river.

The crocodile fooled again

'Are you done?' asked the crocodile. 'Yes, and there is no feast, ha ha ha!' laughed Sang Kancil as he quickly ran into the forest, towards the fruit trees.

Sang Kancil once again managed to outwit his enemy, Sang Buaya, who is by now so angry that he is even more determined to eat Sang Kancil the next time he comes to the river.

I hope you enjoyed reading 'Stories for Kids - Story of Mouse Deer and Crocodile - Children's Bedtime Story'. This is a popular story for kids in my country, Malaysia. I will be writing more on Sang Kancil's adventures and misadventures. Don't forget to come back again.

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Mouse Deer is the smallest hoofed animal in the world. It is slightly bigger than a cat with legs and tail of a deer. The body and the face resembled that of a mouse.

The smallest species, Lesser Mouse Deer, measure about 18 inches and weighs 4.4 lbs. The biggest species 'Greater Mouse Deer' measure between 2.3 to 2.5 feet and weighs between 11 to 18 lbs.

Mouse deer can be found in tropical rain forest of central Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and the southern part of Thailand and India. With a lot of deforestation resulting in loss of its natural habitat, and poaching, is slowly turning mouse deer into an endangered animal.

For more information read the Wikipedia write up on the Lesser Mouse Deer here, and the Greater Mouse Deer, here.

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