The Heron & The Crab

Morale of the Story: " Think Twice before blindly trusting anyone."
Once upon a time there lived an old heron in a jungle near a big pond which was full of fishes, crabs and other water creatures. Old and feeble as he was, he could hardly catch any fish. Often he thought about this," If I don't find a way to catch fish, I will surely die soon'.

This thought would haunt him day and night. Finally he found a way to get out of his misery.

One fine day he sat at the edge of the pond and began to cry, and he let all the fish and frogs pass by unhurt.One fine day he sat at the edge of the pond and began to  cry, and he let all the fish and frogs pass by unhurt. All the creatures of the pond were surprised at this.

A crab on seeing this came to him and asked, "Uncle, why are you so inactive these days? You have not caught even a single fish or frog."

"My child, times have changed," replied the heron sadly. "We are soon going to face very hard times. The creatures of the pond are going to die. I am told." "How?" the crab asked in surprise.

The heron pulled a long face and answered, "An astrologer told me this morning that there will be no rain in this forest for the next 12 years. The lakes will all dry up. I am concerned for all of you. You will all die. Thus I am fasting to God to pray for all of
you", the heron sighed.

"Oh no," exclaimed the crab. "This is very serious. I must warn all the creatures immediately."

The crab scampered towards the river as fast as his feet could carry him and conveyed this scoop to all the other creatures in the water. They were all panic stricken. "Brother crab, please ask the old, wise uncle heron for a solution" they all appealed to him.

Crab rushed to the heron and said, "We've learnt about your concern for us. Please save us from this situation." "Well", replied the heron scratching his head, "I am just a bird but I think I know how to help you out of this plight. Not far away there is a big lake, which will never dry up. If you want I will take you all there one by one". This seemed like a good idea and the crab went off to the river happily.

One the selected day, the heron came to the lake. The entire population was awaiting him eagerly at the river bank and there was a great scramble."Take me first", said one fish. "No, I am his older brother. Take me before him", said another. Everybody was in a hurry to go to the other lake.

"I am not young or strong enough to carry all of you at a time," replied the heron. "I can only carry one at a time, holding you in my beak." The fish were happy at that. They were very frightened and all that was important to them was to be transported to the other pond.

Over the next few days the heron carried them one at a time. The old heron, of course, had no intention of taking them to any lake. But instead of taking the fish to the pond, he flew to a big rock and ate them with great relish.

The crab was observing all this wish suspicion. One day he came to the heron and said, "Uncle, please take me this time. I want to be saved too. You have been only taking the fish. This time, give me a chance."

"Of course, I will take you," replied the heron with pleasure, 'Hmmm!', thought the heron. 'I am tired of eating fish. Crab meat will be a good change.' The heron took the crab on his back and off they set out for their destination.

From a distance the crab spotted a pile of bones on the rock and instantly understood that they were the bones of all the fish who had left the pond in recent days. The minute he heard what the heron had to say, he caught the heron between his claws and began to strangle him.

Moreover, the heron was slowing down and flying towards the rock. "Uncle heron, how far is the new pond from here and Why are you slowing down?" he asked, summoning his courage.

"He! He! He", laughed the heron wickedly. "O foolish crab, there is no other pond. You are my food for today.

All those other creatures fell for my trick and they made a nice meal. I will soon dash you against the rock and eat you too".

The crab was prepared. The minute he heard what the heron had to say, he caught the heron between his claws and began to strangle him.

The crash was too much for the old heron and that was the end of him. The heron crashed into a rock and the crab jumped down to safety.

The crash was too much for the old heron
and that was the end of him.

The crab gripped the heron and dragged him to the lake where the other fishes were eagerly awaiting the return of the heron.

Upon seeing the crab, they all rushed to the river bank. "Crab, what happened to heron uncle? Why are you carrying him like that?"

"You are a bunch of fools", saying thus the crab explained the entire story. The fish and inhabitants of the lake were very sad at knowing what had become of their brethren (brother).

All the creatures of the pond thanked him for saving their lives and said that they had learned a lesson. "Yes", said the crab. "A sweet tongue can be deceitful and one should beware of it." They all vowed that they would never trust anyone blindly again.

This story has the following morals :

"Excess of Greed is harmful."

"Think Twice before blindly trusting anyone."

"A sweet tongue can be deceitful and one should beware of it."

The End