Mouse Deer outsmarts Crocodile three times to safely drink from and cross the river without becoming Crocodile's meal. First, Mouse Deer tricks Crocodile into biting a stick instead of his leg. Next, he tricks Crocodile disguised as a log into speaking and revealing himself. Finally, Mouse Deer convinces Crocodile and his family to line up across the river so he can count them, allowing Mouse Deer to safely jump across their backs to the other side.