The Fox and the Crane

One sunny morning, a sly Fox was trotting through the forest. He was feeling mischievous. He spotted a Crane standing by the river, catching fish with his long beak.

“Hello, friend Crane!” called the Fox. “You look lonely. Why don’t you come to my burrow for dinner tonight? I am making a delicious meal.” The Crane was pleased. “That is very kind of you, Fox,” he said. “I would love to come.”

That evening, the Crane arrived at the Fox’s home. The smell of savory soup filled the air. “Welcome!” said the Fox. “I have made my special soup.”

He poured the thin, watery soup into two broad, flat stone plates. “Eat up!” said the Fox cheerfully. He lowered his head and quickly lapped up the soup with his tongue. Slurp, slurp, slurp.

The poor Crane looked at his plate. He tried to eat, but his beak was long and pointy. Every time he pecked at the plate, he only got a tiny drop of soup. The soup was too shallow for him to drink. He tried tilting his head. He tried tapping the plate. But it was no use.

The Fox finished his own plate and then looked at the Crane. “Is the soup not to your liking?” he asked with a wicked grin. “Or perhaps you are not hungry?” “It smells delicious,” said the Crane politely, “but I seem to be having trouble eating it.” “Oh well,” said the Fox, and he licked up the Crane’s portion too.

The Crane went home hungry, realizing the Fox had tricked him on purpose. He decided to teach the Fox a lesson about manners.

The next day, the Crane saw the Fox. “Thank you for dinner last night,” said the Crane. “Please, come to my house tonight. I will cook for you.” “I would be delighted!” said the greedy Fox, thinking of another free meal.

When the Fox arrived, the Crane welcomed him warmly. “I have made a fragrant fish stew,” said the Crane. He brought out the dinner. But this time, the stew was served in two tall, narrow jars with very long, thin necks.

“Bon appétit!” said the Crane. He easily dipped his long beak into the jar and enjoyed the delicious stew. Munch, munch.

The Fox ran to his jar. He sniffed at the opening. It smelled amazing! But his snout was too short and too wide. He couldn’t fit his head inside the narrow neck. He tried licking the rim. He tried shaking the jar. But he couldn’t reach a single bite of the stew.

The Fox sat and watched the Crane finish his meal. His stomach rumbled. “What’s wrong, Fox?” asked the Crane innocently. “Do you not like the stew?”

The Fox hung his head in shame. He realized he had been treated exactly the way he had treated the Crane. “I understand,” mumbled the Fox. “I was unkind to you, and now I know how it feels.”

He trotted home hungry, promising himself never to play mean tricks on his friends again.

Moral of the Story: Treat others the way you want to be treated. behavior always comes back to you.

Moral of the Story: Treat others the way you want to be treated.