Mouse Deer tricks Crocodile on two occasions to avoid being eaten. The first time, Mouse Deer pretends to put his leg in the river to test the temperature but instead uses a stick, fooling Crocodile. The next day, Mouse Deer wants to cross the river and tricks Crocodile again by convincing him to line up across the river so Mouse Deer can count them for a party, allowing Mouse Deer to safely cross by jumping on their backs.