The Stork and the Crab

An old Stork lived near a large, shimmering pond. In his youth, he could catch fish easily with his long, sharp beak. But now, he was old and weak. His wings were tired, and his eyes were dim. He stood on one leg by the water, hungry and sad. “I must use my brain if I want to eat,” he thought. He stood looking very gloomy, tears rolling down his beak. A passing Crab saw him. “Uncle Stork,” asked the Crab, “why are you crying? You usually stand there waiting to catch us, but today you look so sad.”

The Stork sniffed. “Oh, little Crab. I am crying for you. And for all the fish in this pond.” “Why?” asked the Crab, alarmed. “I heard the humans talking,” lied the Stork. “They are going to fill this pond with dirt and build a house here. Soon, there will be no water, and you will all perish.” The Crab told the fish. Panic spread through the pond. The fish, frogs, and crabs gathered around the Stork. “Save us, Uncle Stork!” they cried. “You are wise. Tell us what to do!”

“Do not worry,” said the Stork. “There is a beautiful, deep lake just over that hill. It never dries up. I can take you there, one by one. But I am old, so I can only carry one of you at a time.” The innocent fish agreed. “Me first! Me first!” they shouted. Every day, the Stork would pick up a fish, fly to a large flat rock on the hill, and… well, he would have a delicious lunch. He never took them to a lake. He grew fat and happy.

One day, the Crab said, “Uncle, you have taken many fish. When will you take me?” The Stork thought, “I am tired of eating fish. Crab meat would be a nice change.” “Come along, nephew,” said the Stork. “Today is your turn.” The Crab climbed onto the Stork’s back, holding on to his neck. The Stork flew up. They flew higher and higher. The Crab looked down. “Uncle,” said the Crab, “where is the lake? I only see a big rock covered in… wait, are those fish bones?” The Crab realized the truth instantly. “You wicked bird!” he thought. “You ate my friends!”

The Crab was brave. He used his sharp claws to pinch the Stork’s neck. Pinch! “Ouch!” shouted the Stork. “What are you doing? Let go!” “Promise me you will never eat another fish again!” demanded the Crab, squeezing harder. “Or I will pinch you until you faint!” “I promise! I promise!” screeched the Stork. “Just let me go!” The Stork flew low to the ground, shaking with pain. The Crab let go and dropped safely into the soft mud of a rice paddy. “Go away!” shouted the Crab. “And never come back!” The Stork, terrified and in pain, flew away as fast as his old wings could carry him. He left the forest and never tricked anyone again.

Moral of the Story: Greed leads to ruin. A sharp mind is the best defense against a trickster.