The Heron and the Crab

Once upon a time there was a heron lived a heron near a pond. He enjoyed eating fish and other creatures from the pond for many years. The heron had grown so old, that he could not catch fishes from the pond anymore. He became lean and weak with every passing day due to lack of food. Unable to bear the hunger anymore, he hit upon a plan.

One fine day he stood in the middle of the pond, meditating on one leg, and let all the fish and frogs pass by unhurt. All the creatures of the pond were surprised at this. A crab came to him and said, “Why are you so inactive these days? Why are you crying instead to catching fishes?"

On seeing this, a crab took pity on him and went near, "Uncle, What is the matter? Why are you crying instead to catching fishes?" Continuing to pretend, the heron replied, "My baby, I would not touch any fish anymore. I have decided to renounce all worldly matters, and I will die as soon as possible".

The crab asked, "If you have indeed rejected to eat fish and other water creature it’s ok, why is it that you cry?"

The heron explained, "My Baby, I have been in this pond from my birth. I have grown here. And it now that I have grown so old that I hear that this pond will dry up as there will be no rains for the next twelve years". The crab was surprised to hear this, "Uncle, please tell me if it is true. Please tell me where you have heard such thing." Then I can say to my fellow creatures.

The heron replied, "I have heard the news from a wise astrologer that there will be no rains for the next twelve years. You see, there is no water in the pond. And very soon, due to lack of rains, the pond will dry up completely very soon."

The crab was taken aback by the news of what is to befall on them, and went to tell this to the other water creatures. On hearing this piece of news, everybody started to fear. They believed the heron, as he was not trying to catch any fish at all. So, they met the heron to seek advice, "Please guide us to save us from this disaster."

The heron said, "There is a big pond nearby here. It is full of water, and beautifully covered with lotus flowers. There is so much water in the pond, which it would not dry even if it did not rain for twenty four years. I can take you there, if you can ride on my back."

The heron and the Crab

He had already gained their confidence. So, they gathered around him and requested to carry them one at a time to the other lake and save them.  The wicked heron had succeeded in his plan. Every day, he would carry on of them on his back pretending to take them to the other pond.

After flying a little away from the pond, he would smash them against a rock and eat them up. He would then return after some time to the pond. This happened for many days, when the crab said to the heron, "Uncle, you take others to the lake but it is me who is your first friend. Please take me to the other pond to save my life."

The heron was happy to hear this. He thought to himself, "Having a fish everyday has become boring. It is good that I will get to eat a crab today, for a change." Having thus decided, the heron started carrying the crab to the same rock. The crab looked down from above and saw the heap of bones and skeletons of tiny creatures. At once, the crab understood what the heron was going to do here.

He remained calm, and said to the heron, "Uncle where is the ponds?  The heron replied, "There is no pond at all. You will be my meal today.  As I do every day, I will smash you against a rock and make a meal out of you."  When the heron admitted the truth, the crab got hold of the heron's neck with its strong claws, and strangled him to death.

The crab laughed at himself that he had saved himself and came back to the pond.  The other water creatures in the lake were surprised to see him back. The crab said that “We were being made fools! The heron was an imposter and what he told about the pond drying up was all false. He was taking one of us every day for his meal in a rock not far from here."  There is no need to worry, for we are safe in this pond. It is not going to dry up at all." 

The Crow and the Pitcher, Thirsty crow

Once upon a time there was a crow living in a forest. One hot summer day, it feels thirsty. He flew all over the fields looking for water. For a long time, he could not find anythings on his way. He felt very weak, almost lost all hope. Suddenly, he saw a water jug below the tree in the kings palace. He flew straight down to see if there was any water inside the jug. Yes, he could see some water inside the jug!

The crow tried to push his head into the jug. Sadly, he found that the neck of the jug was too narrow. Then he tried to push the jug to tilt for the water to flow out but the jug was too heavy to move around.

The crow thought hard for a while. Then looking around it, he saw some pebbles. he suddenly had a good idea. He started picking up the pebbles one by one, dropping each into the jug. As more and more pebbles filled the jug, the water level kept rising. Soon it was high enough for the crow to drink. His plan had worked and flew away after drinking the water happily.

The frog Prince

Once upon a time there was a king lived with his beautiful princess who had a golden ball. One day, while playing in the garden, the ball fell into a pond. She was very upset and did not know what to do. While she sat there cry­ing helplessly, a frog hopped out of the pond and asked, “Why are you crying, little princess?” She told him about her golden ball. The ugly frog said, “I can help you get your ball but what will you give me in return?” “I will give you any­thing you want!” promised the princess. The frog immediately leaped into the water and fetched the ball for princess. The princess was very happy. The frog reminded her, “Remem­ber that you promised me for anything. Well, I want to be your friend, eat from your plate, and sleep in your palace!” The princess hated the idea but she agreed and ran back to the palace.

The next morning, the princess found the frog waiting for her. He said, “I have come to live in your palace.” Hearing this, the princess ran to her fa­ther, crying. When the generous king heard about the promise, he told his daughter, “A promise is a promise and you must keep your word. You must let the frog stay in your palace.” The princess was very angry but she had no choice and let the frog stay. The frog ate from her plate during dinner and asked the princess to take him to her bed at night. The princess picked him up an­grily and threw him to the floor.

In a flash, the frog turned into a handsome prince! He told the princess that he had actually been under the spell of a wicked magician. The princess fell in love with the prince. They were married and lived happily ever after.

Honest wood cutter and three wishes

Once upon a time there was a woodcutter living in a village near a dense forest. He was so poor and only taking the woods from the forest and sells it for little money. One day the poor woodcutter went to the forest to cut wood. He was about to cut an oak tree when a fairy appeared and pleaded him to spare the tree. The woodcutter was a kind man and did not cut the tree and spare with fairy. The grateful fairy granted him three wishes. Whenever he wants to use this wishes he can use this. When he reached home he was hungry. He remembered the fairy and first wished for black pudding. At once, he saw a bowl of the finest black pudding in front of him.

The woodcutter told his wife about the fairy but she did not believe him. To test her husband’s words, she wished that the pudding would stick on her husband’s nose. Suddenly, the pudding stuck on his nose! They tried hard to pull it off but it stuck hard. The woodcutter used his last wish and wished for the pudding to come out. The pudding came off and lay on a dish. So though they had the finest pudding for dinner, they had used up all the wishes.

Two friends and the bear

There were lived two friends in a village. They both playing and going to school every day. Once they were visited to their friend’s sister marriage. While they walked through the forest, suddenly a bear appeared. The first friend quickly climbed a tree. The second one wanted help but his friend had already left him.

He was very scared because the bear was big and strong and could easily kill him without any second thought. At that time one thought came to his mind and when the bear came near to him, he lay very still on the ground and controlled his breath. The bear came close to him and sniffed and smelt his body all over. Now, bears do not attack the dead. The bear walked away thinking that the man was dead. The first friend then came down from the tree when the bear went away. He asked his friend irreverently, “What did the bear tell you?”

The second friend thought for a while and replied, “The bear told me never to trust a friend who escapes and leaves you alone when you need him most,” he said. The first friend realized his mistake and was ashamed of his behavior.