<P> The name of the story, the list of allies, and the details of the attacks vary in different parts of Japan . For example, in Kansai one of the allies is a quantity of oil . In a version of the story published in a Japanese textbook in 1887, an egg appears in place of the chestnut and a piece of kelp replaces the cow dung . The egg attacks the monkey by exploding and the kelp slips from under his foot . </P> <P> In the version of the story published by Andrew Lang, the crab gathers the unripe fruit and is not killed, but the monkey leaves her for dead . </P> <P> Modern versions of the story often tone down the violence . The title "The Crab and the Monkey" or "The Story of the Monkey and the Crab" similarly reduce the violence apparent in the older "Monkey - Crab Battle" name . </P> <P> Twentieth - century Japanese novelist Ryunosuke Akutagawa wrote a short story based on the folktale in which, after avenging their mother's death by attacking the monkey, the crab children are arrested and face the death penalty . </P>

Sarukani (the monkey and the crab)