The Story of the Cunning Heron and the Crab
In a lush forest lived a lazy heron. He was so indolent that even finding food was a chore. This laziness often left him hungry for hours. Standing on one leg by the riverbank, he spent his days devising schemes to obtain food without effort. One day, he conceived a plan. He went to a secluded corner of the riverbank and began to weep profusely.
Seeing the heron's distress, a crab approached him and asked, "Heron brother, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" The heron, still sobbing, replied, "Crab brother, I deeply regret my actions. I have consumed countless fish to satisfy my hunger. I have been selfish, but now I realize my error and vow to never hunt fish again." The crab responded, "But that will leave you starving!" The heron replied, "Better to die hungry than to take another's life. I met the Trikalin Baba yesterday who told me a drought of twelve years was coming. Everything will die!" The crab, concerned, went and shared the heron's warning with the other creatures by the pond.
A turtle, startled, asked, "So, what's the solution?" The heron replied, "A few miles away is a pond where water never runs dry. I can carry each of you there on my back." The other animals rejoiced at this news. The next day, the heron began carrying the animals one by one across the river. He carried them to a rocky outcrop and left them there, often killing two at a time to satisfy his hunger. The outcrop became a growing pile of bones. The heron silently chuckled, thinking of how easily he had fooled these creatures.
This continued for several days. Finally, the crab said, "Heron brother, when will it be my turn?" The heron replied, "Alright, I'll take you today." He placed the crab on his back and flew off. Reaching the rocky outcrop, the crab saw the pile of bones and his mind raced. He asked the heron what the bones were and how far away the water was. The heron burst into laughter, "There is no water. These are the bones of your companions, who I have eaten. Your bones will be next." At this, the crab clamped his claws around the heron's neck, and the heron's life force departed. The crab then returned to the river, sharing the truth with the other animals, who praised and celebrated the crab's wisdom.
Lesson learned: We should not blindly trust others, especially in times of trouble. We must always act with caution and wisdom.
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