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Original Writer: Unknown
Rewritten: Udhayan |
Once upon a time, there was a small pond in a forest. A crane lived near this pond. This crane ate fish, frogs and crabs as it could from the pond and lived happily. Therefore, the crane did not have to wander anywhere in search of food. The crane lived there happily for many years. 1 |
All other lives living in the pond, worried by this, thought about how to escape from the clutches of this crane. They expressed many different opinions. Finally, they decided that no one would go near the crane and that if they saw the crane, they would warn others to run away from that place. 2 |
Over time, the crane began to feel weak because it could not find much food. It would starve to death if this continued, so it devised a plan. 3 |
‘I can’t catch anything from the pond like I used to. How long will I starve like this? I have to find some way.’ said the crane to himself. 4 |
Finally, the crane found a way to escape from hunger. Accordingly, the crane stood on one side of the pond, said nothing to anyone, and pretended to be sad. It stopped trying to catch even the fish that accidentally came closer. 5 |
The fish and others in the pond noticed the crane’s distressed stance. But even though the crane stood there for a whole day, no one asked him anything because of fear. 6 |
The next day, too, the crane continued to stand like that. Seeing this, the fish, frogs, and crabs looked at each other. No one had ever seen the crane so sad before. The crane did not try to catch anyone. 7 |
No matter how much they thought, they could not find an answer. Seeing that the crane had not moved for two days, all the lake lives became more curious. 8 |
Finally, they decided to ask the crane directly about the reason for its sadness. They slowly and carefully approached the crane. 9 |
Then a fish asked the crane: “What’s wrong crane? Why are you so worried? It’s been two days since you started standing like this.” 10 |
But the crane did not seem to hear it. Its head was bowed, and it did not move. 11 |
“We’ve never seen you so sad. That’s why we all want to know the reason for your sadness.” said one of the frog in the group. 12 |
At this time, the crane slowly raised its head and said to them: “Oh! I heard some news. Since hearing it, I have been unable to bear the sadness.” 13 |
The lives in the pond became more curious when they heard what the crane said. 14 |
“You heard the news? What news is that? Tell us crane!” A crab there asked. 15 |
“I don’t want to upset you anymore by saying that,” replied the crane. 16 |
“Tell us whatever news you have. We are ready to hear it.” The lives in the pond said in unison. 17 |
Then the crane said to them, “a few days ago, I was flying over the village near our pond. Then I heard two people in the village talking to each other. They are going to fill this pond and turn it into a field. I felt very sad since I heard that.” 18 |
All lives in the pond were shocked by the crane’s answer. They stood there in fear, not knowing what to say. 19 |
The crane continued saying, “If that happens, I will not see fish, crabs or frogs in this pond. I will have to go to another pond. Since I have wings, I can fly. But you cannot fly like me. What will you do? This is the reason for my sadness.” 20 |
Then they all asked the crane: “We also need to escape from here. Is there any way out?” 21 |
Hearing this, the crane said: “There is a way. Anyway, I have decided to go to a large pond far away. If you need me, I can take you with me.” 22 |
Hearing this, the lives in the pond began to clamour: “Save us too. Take us with you too.” 23 |
Realising that all the lives had fallen for his trick, the crane said to them: “Of course, I will take you with me to the big pond. But look, I am very old. I cannot take all of you to the big pond together. I will take a few each day. In any case, the villagers will take a few days to fill the pond. Before that, I will take all of you to the big pond.” 24 |
Hearing this, the lives in the pond were pleased. They ultimately agreed with Crane’s opinion. The very next day, the crane started leaving the pond with some fish. 25 |
The crane’s trick now worked well. It tricked the fish into taking them out of the pond and eating them. Days passed like that. The number of fish in the pond also started to decrease. 26 |
In this same pond lived a clever crab. It saw the crane coming every day and taking away the fish. It also somehow wanted to escape from this pond. 27 |
Then one day, the crab asked the crane who had come to the pond to take the fish away. “Crane, I also want to escape from here. You always take the fish away. Can you take me away instead?” 28 |
The crane was happy to hear this: ‘No matter what. I’m tired of eating fish too. Let’s eat something else today. Anyway, let’s take the crab today.’ 29 |
Thinking this too, the crane said to the crab: “Of course, I will take you today.” 30 |
The crab was very happy to hear this. “Let’s go now,” said the crane. The crane scooped up the crab with its long beak and began to fly. As it flew with, the crab was thinking about the big pond he was about to reach and about his friends in the pond who had safely arrived there. 31 |
But even after flying for a while, the crab could not see the pond anywhere nearby. Moreover, it could only see a few rocks in the distance. 32 |
“What is this crane? Shouldn’t we go to the pond? Why did we come here?” crab questioned. 33 |
Then the crane laughed and said to the crab, “What fools you and your other friends in the pond are. I lied and said I was going to drain the pond. I brought you here to be eaten, just like your other friends.” 34 |
It was then that the crab noticed something. There were fish spines scattered around those rocks. Seeing this, the crab understood what was happening and was scared. Still, he did not lose his presence of mind. Immediately, the crab took all his strength and bit the crane on the neck. 35 |
Then he said to the crane: “You wicked crane, you have been deceiving us all this time, haven’t you? You must take me back to the pond as soon as possible and release me. If you don’t, I will bite your neck right now.” 36 |
Saying this, the crab held on to the crane’s neck without letting go. The crane, realising that if the crab did not let go, it would lose its life, had no other choice but to take the crab back to the pond and release it. So, the beak quickly returned to the pond with the crab. Only after reaching the pond safely did the crab let go of the crane’s neck. 37 |
Relieved that his life was back, the crane flew away as quickly as possible. The crab immediately explained the events that had happened to the fish and others in the pond. The fish were very disappointed when they realised the crane had deceived them with his trick. 38 |
The meaning of this story is that we should not trust anyone without investigating. 39 ★ |
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