The Twentieth Symphony of Aesop's Fables: The Wolf and the Crane
In a world where animals lived and thrived, a tragic event unfolded for one unfortunate wolf. The wolf, in a moment of greed, swallowed a bone too quickly, getting it stuck in his throat.
In this time of need, none of the animals dared to help the wolf. The wolf's cries for aid echoed through the forest, but it seemed the others were unwilling to lend a paw.
However, one creature showed compassion. A crane, known for her long neck and wisdom, stepped forward to help the wolf in distress. After freeing the wolf from his agony, the crane expected a reward as promised by the wolf.
But the wolf, now feeling better, reneged on his promise. He argued that it was enough for the crane to pull her neck out of his jaws. The crane, disappointed and hurt, extended her long neck once more, this time to remove the bone stuck in the wolf's throat.
Despite the crane's selfless act, the wolf remained ungrateful. When the crane asked for her reward, the wolf refused, stating that it was unreasonable. The crane, who had only sought to help, felt betrayed and left the wolf to his fate.
The moral of this story, "The Selfish Wolf and the Crane," is a timeless lesson. Selfishness and ingratitude lead to negative consequences, and one should be kind and helpful without expecting anything in return. This fable teaches us that selfish beings often do not appreciate or reward the kindness they receive. It also serves as a cautionary tale about helping others who may not have good intentions.
In the end, the wolf learned a hard lesson about the importance of kindness and gratitude. The crane, though initially hurt, remained a symbol of wisdom and selflessness, teaching us all a valuable lesson about the power of compassion and the consequences of selfishness.
In search of some light-hearted reading material to help cheer her up, the disappointed crane turned to the collection of books owned by the owl at the end of the forest, seeking entertainment. However, as she paged through the books, she realized that the owl's library only consisted of ancient scrolls filled with tales of cruelty and selfishness, reminding her yet again of the wandering wolf's disloyalty.