Death of a killer

Long ago, an old crane lived near a lake, in the country of Malwa. He had grown so weak that he had no energy left to catch fish.He thought ...

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Long ago, an old crane lived near a lake, in the country of Malwa. He had grown so weak that he had no energy left to catch fish.

He thought of a plan to get his food — fish and crabs — without going through the trouble of catching them.

He went to the bank of the lake and stood there lifeless, as if overcome with grief. A crab, who noticed the crane standing sorrowfully, asked him, "Why are you standing there and doing nothing about catching fish?"

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"My dear friend, you know that I live on fish. Tomorrow morning, a fisherman will be coming here to catch all the fish in the lake. I heard this news on the outskirts of the city. I am sure to die without the fish. The news has upset me so much that I don’t feel like eating anything today."

When the fish heard this alarming news, they began to discuss the matter and said, "This crane is our enemy, but in this hour of need, perhaps, he may help us. Let’s ask him what to do."

The fish swam up to the crane and asked, "How can we stay alive? What shall wedo? Can you give us some advice?"

Pretending to think over their problem and feeling pleased that his plan was working out well, the crane replied, "Indeed, there is a way out! I’ll take you one by one to another lake, not far from here."

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The fish were relieved and accepted the crane’s plan.

Each day, the crane carried several fish one by one on his back to a place not far away from the lake and ate them up.

The crane lived comfortably for some time without having to exert himself to catch his food.

One day, the crab said, "Oh crane! Please take me to the safe place too!"The crane immediately agreed, thinking to himself, "Well! Well! I will have a crab for a change."

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Next morning, the crane carried the crab on his back to the place where he had taken the fish and had eaten them. The crab noticed a heap of bones of the dead fish. In a flash, he realized what the crane was up to. He sighed and said to himself, "Oh dear, what a bit of bad luck! It looks as though I’m a goner. Anyway, I’ll be as braveas I can and see what I can do."

The crab put his claws around the crane’s neck and strangled him. The crane fell down on the ground, dead. "Well, well," said the crab, "you can’t get away with your wicked deeds. Someday they are bound to catch up with you."

— Translated by G L ChandiramaniÃ¿