'Many fine fishes did the old Crane kill,
But the Crab matched him, maugre all his bill.'
'How came that to pass?' asked Jewel-plume.
'The Vulture related:—
The Story of the Crane and the Crab
"There was an old Crane at a mere called Lily-water, in Malwa, who stood one day in the shallows with a most dejected look and drooping bill. A Crab observed him and called out, 'Friend Crane! have you given up eating, that you stand there all day?' 'Nay, sir!' replied the old Crane; 'I love my dish of fish, but I have heard the fishermen say that they mean to capture every one that swims in this water; and as that destroys my hope of subsistence, I am resigning myself to death.' All this the fishes overheard. 'In this matter certainly,' they said, 'his interest is ours; we ought to consult him; for it is written—
'Fellow be with kindly foemen, rather than with friends unkind;
Friend and foeman are distinguished not by title but by mind.'
Thereupon they repaired to him: 'Good Crane,' they said, 'what course is there for safety?'
'Course of safety there is,' replied the Crane, 'to go elsewhere; and I will carry you one by one to another pool, if you please.'
'Do so,' said the trembling fishes.