The Wolf and the Crane

Short Version

Once a wolf killed a lamb and started eating it. Suddenly, a small bone got stuck in his throat. The wolf felt great pain. He tried to remove the bone, but he could not.

Soon, a crane came near him. The wolf said, “Please take the bone out of my throat. I will give you a good reward.”

The crane agreed. She carefully put her long beak into the wolf’s mouth and took out the bone. The wolf felt better at once.

Then the crane asked, “Where is my reward?”

The wolf laughed and said, “You put your head inside my mouth, and I did not bite you. That is enough reward. Now go away.”

The crane felt sad and quickly left the place.

Moral: Do not expect kindness from a cruel person.

Expanded Version

Once a hungry wolf killed a lamb and began eating it quickly. He was so hungry that he swallowed large pieces without being careful.

Suddenly, a small bone became stuck in his throat. The wolf began to cough and could hardly swallow. He was in great pain.

He tried to remove the bone himself, but he could not reach it. He walked around looking for someone who could help him.

After some time, he saw a crane. The crane had a long neck and a long beak.

The wolf said, “Please help me. There is a bone in my throat. If you take it out, I will give you a good reward.”

The crane looked at the wolf’s sharp teeth and felt afraid. But the wolf promised not to hurt her, so she agreed.

Very carefully, the crane put her long beak deep into the wolf’s mouth. She found the bone and pulled it out.

At once, the wolf could breathe and swallow normally again.

The crane stepped back and said, “I have helped you. Now, please give me the reward you promised.”

The wolf laughed.

“Reward?” he said. “You put your head inside my mouth, and I did not bite it off. Being alive is reward enough. Now go away.”

The crane understood that the wolf was ungrateful and dishonest. Feeling sad and disappointed, she left the place.

Moral: Do not expect kindness from a cruel person.