There was a pond in a forest which was full of water.
Many fish and a crab lived happily in the pond.
Once, there was no rain for years and the water in the pond dried up. Many fish died.
In the same forest lived a cunning crane. Due to the old age it could no more catch fish.
One day, the crane said to the fish, “Pond is drying up fast and I am worried about all of you.”
One fish asked, “Nowadays you don’t eat fish of this pond. What is the reason?”
“Dear fish, I am a vegetarian now,” the crane replied in sweet voice.
The fish were very happy to hear that. They said, “We are in danger in this muddy pond.”
“I can save your life,” the crane suggested, “You should go to other side of the hill where there is a pond full of water.”
“But fish can not fly or walk to go to that pond,” the crab said to the crane.
The crane said, “Never mind. I would carry some fish to that pond daily.”
From the very next day the crane started carrying the fish over the hill to the other pond.
But the cunning crane used to feast on the fish upon reaching the hill.
After a few days the crab told the crane that he also wanted to go to the other pond.
The crane happily thought of feasting on the delicious meat of the crab.
“All right, I would take you to the other pond right away,” said the crane.
Upon reaching the hill the crab saw the fish bones lying everywhere around.
After seeing this, crab understood everything. He quickly grabbed the crane and pierced his claws through the crane’s neck.
“I am feeling pain brother crab! Loosen your hold a bit,” the crane cried.
“You cheated and killed those innocent fish. Now, it is your turn to die,” said the crab.
The crab then tightened its grip and crane fell down to die. The crane got the punishment for its wrong deeds.
The crab reached the pond again and told the fish about the lie of the crane.
Moral: Never trust the cunning and cruel characters.
