“You will never see another pond,” replied the Crane, who thought that it would be the easiest thing in the world to shake the Crab from his neck. “I am now going to eat you, just as I have eaten every one of the fish, whose bones you can see if you look.”
“Do you think I am as stupid as those fish?” asked the Crab. Then he gave the Crane’s neck such a squeeze with his claws that the Crane almost died.
“That is just to remind you of what will happen if you don’t take me to the pond at once,” said the Crab.
The Crane now trembled with fear, and flew at once to the edge of the pond, and there, before entering the water the Crab tightened his grip so that the Crane’s neck was cut clear through.
THE LION AND THE HARE
In a large forest there lived a Lion who was very fierce. Such terror did he inspire among the other animals of the jungle, and so many of them did he kill for his daily food, that they held a public meeting to see what could be done about it.
After much parleying they drew up a respectful petition to the Lion in these words:
“Your Majesty, why do you thus create havoc among us? If it please you, we will ourselves furnish you daily with a beast for your Majesty’s meal.”
This petition they duly presented to the Lion, who said: “If this arrangement is more agreeable to you, I will be satisfied.” So, from that time a beast was allotted to him each day, they casting lots among themselves to see who should be selected.