The Enormous Crocodile Summary of Roald Dahl's Book

The Enormous Crocodile: A Greedy and Hilarious Tale by Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl, the beloved children's author known for his whimsical and often darkly humorous stories, penned "The Enormous Crocodile" in 1978. Illustrated by the talented Quentin Blake, the book is a delightful mix of humor and adventure that continues to captivate young readers to this day. Set in a lush jungle, the story follows the antics of the villainous Enormous Crocodile who has a insatiable appetite for children. However, his plans are soon thwarted by a group of courageous animals led by the clever Muggle-Wump Monkey and the brave Roly-Poly Bird.

Characters

- Enormous Crocodile: The main antagonist of the story, the Enormous Crocodile is a cunning and devious reptile with a voracious appetite for children. He concocts various schemes to capture and devour unsuspecting youngsters, but is ultimately outsmarted by his jungle companions.

- Notsobig Crocodile: The Enormous Crocodile's less intimidating sidekick, Notsobig Crocodile, assists his friend in his nefarious plans. Despite his smaller size, he is just as eager to indulge in a tasty child.

- Muggle-Wump Monkey: A clever and resourceful monkey, Muggle-Wump takes charge of organizing the jungle animals to put an end to the Enormous Crocodile's dangerous activities. He devises a plan to teach the crocodile a lesson he won't soon forget.

- Roly-Poly Bird: A plump and cheerful bird, Roly-Poly joins forces with Muggle-Wump to foil the Enormous Crocodile's evil deeds. With her ability to fly and keep an eye on the crocodile's movements, she plays a crucial role in the animals' mission to protect the children of the jungle.

Detailed Summary

The Enormous Crocodile, with his insatiable hunger for children, devises a series of cunning plans to catch his favorite meal. From disguising himself as a seesaw to pretending to be a coconut tree, the crocodile's schemes become increasingly outrageous as he plots to satisfy his appetite. However, the clever Muggle-Wump Monkey and the brave Roly-Poly Bird catch wind of his dastardly intentions and rally the other animals of the jungle to put an end to his menacing ways.

In a thrilling showdown, the Enormous Crocodile is outwitted by the jungle creatures and suffers a humiliating defeat. After being tricked into a deadly trap, the crocodile learns the hard way that his greed and selfishness will not go unpunished. With a valuable lesson learned, the Enormous Crocodile is left to rue his misdeeds as the jungle animals celebrate their victory and the safety of the children.

Analysis

"The Enormous Crocodile" is a whimsical and entertaining tale that combines Roald Dahl's trademark humor with a powerful message about the consequences of greed and selfishness. Through the character of the Enormous Crocodile, Dahl paints a vivid portrait of a villain whose insatiable appetite leads to his undoing. The story serves as a cautionary tale for young readers, highlighting the importance of kindness, cooperation, and looking out for others.

The book's illustrations by Quentin Blake add an extra layer of charm and whimsy to the story, bringing the jungle setting and its colorful characters to life in vivid detail. Blake's distinctive style perfectly complements Dahl's witty narrative, creating a visually engaging reading experience for children of all ages.

Overall, "The Enormous Crocodile" is a timeless classic that continues to delight and inspire readers around the world. With its memorable characters, engaging plot, and moral lesson, the book holds a special place in the hearts of fans of Roald Dahl's work.

Final thoughts

If you enjoyed this brief summary of "The Enormous Crocodile" by Roald Dahl, I highly recommend picking up a copy of the complete book to experience all the humor and adventure it has to offer. Alternatively, you can listen to the audiobook version for a delightful storytelling experience that will captivate young and old alike. Join the Enormous Crocodile, Muggle-Wump Monkey, Roly-Poly Bird, and a host of other colorful characters on a wild and hilarious journey through the jungle!

9780142302453 (ISBN10: 0142302457)