Once upon a time, Mr. Jackal was happily trotting along when he spotted a wild plum tree full of fruit on the other side of a wide, deep stream. He couldn't cross it, so he just sat on the bank, staring at the ripe, juicy fruit until his mouth watered with desire.

Just then, Miss Crocodile came floating down the stream with her nose in the air. "Good morning, my dear!" said Mr. Jackal politely. "You look so beautiful today, and you swim so gracefully! If only I could swim too, what a wonderful feast of plums we could have together over there!" And Mr. Jackal placed his paw on his heart and sighed.

Now, Miss Crocodile had a very soft heart, and when Mr. Jackal looked at her so admiringly and spoke so sweetly, she blushed and giggled, saying, "Oh! Mr. Jackal! How can you talk like that? I could never dream of going out to dinner with you, unless—unless—"

"Unless what?" asked the Jackal persuasively.