20. Hitopadesh - The Greedy Crane And The Crafty Crab

Once there lived an old crane by the side of a lake in a forest.

The crane was old and weak. Hence, it was unable to prey fish for its food.

One day the crane was severely starved, having no eaten for few days together. So it cried pitiably due to hunger.

A crab who lived nearby, saw the crab crying and asked, “Friend, you are an apt predator. Why are you not hunting for food?”

The old crane replied sadly, “I am now old and feel guilty for killing fishes. So I have taken a vow to starve to death and not to harm fishes any more”.

The crab was surprised to hear the crane and asked her why she was so thoughtful at this age.

The crane continued, “I have heard that the astrologers have predicted that the rain Gods are angry and there will be no rains for twelve years. It would create havoc and creatures will die. I am worried that I'll be left alone”.

The crab was worried when he heard the crane. He went back to the lake and told all other fishes and animals about the ill fate set to fall on the. The fishes were alarmed to know this and went to the old crane. The fishes said, “O old crane, show us a way to escape from this ill fate”.

The cunning crane smiled at the pleading innocent fishes. She said, “I will surely help you all. There is a large lake nearby. It has water throughout the year and never dries up. I can take you one by one to that lake”.

The fishes and other animals who came to crane were happy to hear the crane's suggestion. They all trusted her and decided to go with her to the other lake.

So the crane started carrying one fish everyday to take them to the other lake. But she would fly to a lonely place and peck the fish for its food.

One day the crab came to the crane and said, “You have been taking the fishes to other lake everyday. This time take me. I want to reach there soon as possible since this lake has started drying up”.

The crane was happy to hear the crab. She thought she would enjoy new food today.

The crab mounted the crane's back and they few to reach the large lake. The crane flew close to the place where she ate all the fish. Seeing the scattered fish bones, the crab grew suspicious and alarmed. He asked the crane, “We have came a long distance. Where is the lake!”

The crane revealed her lies and said, “There is no large lake around. Fish is my food and so are you now. I killed them and now I will kill you for my food”.

The crab was very angry to hear this. He said, “We were wrong to trust you. Now you see...”,  and the crab caught the crane's neck with his claws and killed her.

The crab took the crane's neck to the lake and showed it to all his friends. He told them how the crane breached their trust and killed their fellow fishes. There was ample rain after few days and the lake was full of water. The creatures lived happily after.

Moral : Do not trust anyone blindly.