The Wolf and the Crane

Once upon a time, in a dense and leafy forest, there lived a cunning and greedy wolf. He was always on the hunt, devouring anything he could find. Rabbits, birds, and even the occasional careless fox lived in fear of his sharp teeth and relentless hunger. But as clever as the wolf thought he was, he often let his greed get the better of him.

One day, the wolf stumbled upon a farmer’s field, where the chickens clucked happily in the sun. The wolf, unable to resist, crept closer and snatched one of the plumpest hens in a single bound. “What a feast I’ll have today!” he thought as he carried it into the forest.

The wolf devoured the chicken so quickly and greedily that he didn’t notice a bone from the hen’s leg getting lodged in his throat. He choked and coughed, gasping for air. He tried everything he could to dislodge the bone—pacing, shaking his head, and even clawing at his throat—but nothing worked. The pain was unbearable, and for the first time, the mighty wolf felt helpless.

“What am I going to do?” he whimpered, his voice hoarse. “If I can’t get this bone out, I’ll starve to death!”

As the wolf wandered through the forest in desperation, he came across a tall, graceful crane. The crane was wading in a shallow stream, using her long beak to catch fish. The wolf’s eyes lit up with an idea. Surely the crane, with her long neck and sharp beak, could reach into his throat and remove the bone!

“Good day, dear crane,” the wolf said, trying his best to sound kind and pitiful. The crane eyed him warily, for she knew the wolf’s reputation. “What do you want, wolf?” she asked, stepping back cautiously.

“Oh, please, don’t be afraid!” the wolf pleaded. “I’m in terrible pain. A bone is stuck in my throat, and I can’t get it out. You, with your long beak, are the only one who can help me.”

The crane tilted her head and considered his words. “And why should I help you? You’re a wolf, and wolves are not known for their kindness.”

The wolf groaned and clutched his throat dramatically. “Please, kind crane! If you save my life, I promise I’ll reward you richly. I’ll never forget your kindness.”

The crane thought about it. She didn’t trust the wolf, but she also didn’t want to let him suffer, even if he was a greedy and dangerous creature. Finally, she agreed. “Very well. Open your mouth wide, and I will try to help you.”

The wolf lay down and opened his jaws as wide as he could, revealing his sharp teeth and the bone stuck in his throat. The crane shivered at the sight—it would take great courage to put her head inside a wolf’s mouth. But she took a deep breath and stepped closer.

Carefully, the crane stretched her long neck and reached her beak deep into the wolf’s throat. She could feel the sharp bone stuck there, and with great precision, she clamped her beak around it and gently pulled. The wolf whimpered and winced, but he stayed still.

At last, the crane pulled the bone free and stepped back, triumphant. “There! The bone is out!” she exclaimed.

The wolf stood up, feeling much better now that the pain was gone. He tested his throat with a few growls and swallows, then grinned wickedly. “Ah, what a relief! Thank you, dear crane.”

The crane waited expectantly. “And what about my reward?” she asked. “You promised to repay me for my help.”

The wolf narrowed his eyes and let out a low chuckle. “Your reward? Isn’t it reward enough that you got to stick your head inside a wolf’s mouth and live to tell the tale? I could have easily snapped my jaws shut, but I didn’t. You should be grateful!”

The crane was stunned. “Grateful? You made a promise!”

“A wolf’s promise is worth nothing,” the wolf sneered. “Now be on your way before I change my mind and decide you’d make a fine meal.”

Realizing she couldn’t reason with the wolf, the crane flapped her wings and flew away, vowing never to trust a creature like him again. As she soared over the forest, she muttered to herself, “Let this be a lesson: Never expect gratitude from the ungrateful.”

The wolf, meanwhile, went on his way, pleased to have escaped his predicament without paying a price. But from that day forward, his greed and dishonesty caught up with him. Animals who heard of the crane’s story avoided him, and he struggled to find food. His once-powerful reputation faded, and he spent the rest of his days hungry and alone.

As for the crane, she continued her peaceful life by the stream, wiser and warier than before. And whenever she saw other animals in trouble, she helped only those who had shown they could be trusted.