In a dark clear waters of a jungle river, there lurked a half-dozen alligators that preyed on the small animals foolish enough to come along their banks. The would hunt and sneak and spy, and when opportunity reared itself, they would fiercely lunge with long, snapping jaws. Many of the creatures of the jungle respected and feared the river's terrors, but if the rains did not come often enough, they'd have little choice but to risk fate.
There was one creature, however, that did NOT fear the alligators and their jaws, and that was the mighty human hunters that came from a nearby village. The dressed in jaguar skins and carried long spears. They would hide in the trees and amongst the tall grasses, and when an alligator would show itself, the hunter would toss his weapon and kill the river's terror instantly.
One large, heavy alligator had finally had enough of the hunters and their spears. He spoke to the rest of his brethren with great passion, telling them of his frustrations. The two legged cowards and their throwing spears and staying on land, they would be the end of the alligators in this part of the water unless something was done. And he had decided something will be done! The next time a hunter comes for one of their hides, the alligators would be ready, and lunge at him as one, and chew his meat and leave his bones as a warning!
The powerful alligator first went to the trees on the banks and met with the monkeys hanging there. he told them to go to the human village and taunt and tease a hunter; when he came, lead him here to the banks of the river. "And if do not wish to?" asked the monkeys. "Then you are filthy beasts, and we will never let you drink from our waters again!" scolded the 'gator.
The powerful alligator then went to the shore and met with the jaguars drinking there. He told them to go to the human village and watch a hunter; when it came, they were to growl from the darkness, and herd it away from the trees, to keep it on the shore where the alligators could get at him. "And if we do not?" ask the jaguars. "Then you are cowards, and we will never let you drink from our waters again!" scolded the 'gator.
Finally, the powerful alligator gathered his brothers by the bank. The monkeys were in the trees, hissing and making a racket, doing their part. The jaguars were in the bushes and growling and doing their part. But the large, proud 'gator heard second thoughts coming from his fellows. "What if we do not see the hunter before it is too late?" asked on alligator. "What if he spears one of use beforehand?" asked another.
"Are these the terrors of the river?" yelled the large alligator, "The masters of these waters? Better you meet your end at my own jaws, before your weakness endangers us strong enough act!" And with that, he lunged at his brothers. The water frothed as he turned on each in turn, his powerful jaws snapping and biting and crushing. In the end, he was the only remaining in the river, his cowardly brothers reddening the river waters around him. A roar of accomplishment, he then went to the bank, to hide in the mud top wait the two leg hunter.
As he lied there, his allies the monkeys and jaguars arrived. They lazily sat upon the thick branches of a nearby tree, out of sight expect to watch. "Is he coming?" demanded the alligator.
"Oh yes, yes!" chatter the monkeys happily. "We were able to taunt and tease well! In fact, we did so well, that at least a half dozen of the hunters are coming! And the jaguars, doing well and their growling and herding, made sure every one of them will be upon you! At this very bank!"
"What?" said the powerful alligator startled. "No, there was to be only one! I am alone on this bank! I cannot defeat six hunters by myself! Even hd I not killed my brothers, we could not stand against six spears!"
"We know," said the jaguar, a wicked grin on his muzzle. "We were hoping your kind would just leave these waters, swim farther upstream... no matter. The hunters will be here shortly to end what you finished. And the monkeys and the jaguars will safely have as much river water as thirst demands"