The Crane and the Crab

An old crane could no longer catch fish easily. He stood sadly beside a pond and told the fish, "This pond will dry soon. I can carry you to a larger lake."

The frightened fish trusted him. Each day he carried one fish away, but instead of taking it to another lake, he ate it on a rock. At last a crab asked to be carried too.

From the crane's neck, the crab saw the bones of the fish below. He tightened his claws around the crane's throat and saved himself. The pond learned that fear makes false helpers powerful.