In a hidden court of the temple was a deep pool of water with cemented sides, where, it was said, lived a sacred crocodile, an enormous beast that had dwelt there for hundreds of years.

Rames and Tua having heard of this crocodile, often talked of it and longed to see it, but could not for there was a high wall round the tank, and in it a door of copper that was kept locked, except when once in every eight days the priests took in food to the crocodile--living goats and sheep, and sometimes a calf, none of which ever came back again.
Now one day Rames watching them return, saw the priest, who was called Guardian of the Door, put his hand behind him to thrust the key with which he had just locked the door, into his wallet, and missing the mouth of the wallet, let it fall upon the sand, then go upon his way knowing nothing of what he had done.
When he had gone in a great hurry, for he was a fat old priest and the dinner hour was at hand, Rames pounced upon the key and hid it in his robe.

Then he sought out the princess and said, "Morning Star, this evening, when I come back from school and am allowed to play with you, we can look at the wonderful beast in the tank, for look, I have the key which that fat priest will not search for till seven days are gone by, before which I can take it to him, saying that I found it in the sand, or perhaps put it back into his wallet." When she heard this Tua's eyes shone, since above all things she desired to see this holy monster.

But in the evening when the boy came running to her eagerly--for he had thought of nothing but the crocodile all day, and had bought a pigeon from a school-fellow with which to feed the brute--he found Tua in a different mood.
"I don't think that we will go to see the holy crocodile, Rames," she said, looking at him thoughtfully.
"Why not ?" he asked amazed.

"There is no one about, and I have put fat upon the key so that it will make no noise." "Because my Ka has been with me, Rames, and told me that it is a bad act and if we do trouble will come to us." "Oh! may the fiend Set take your Ka," replied the lad in a rage.