Durayā. North-western Province.
The Pond Heron. (Variant.)
At the time of a great drought the water of a pool having nearly dried up, the fishes[2] saw that they were coming near dying. A Pond Heron[3] which saw it, having very speedily come flying, spoke to the fishes: “Friends, I will go and conduct you to a pool in which there is much water,” he said. They were pleased at it.
The Pond Heron holding one by his bill, and having gone and put it down at the pool in which there was water, again brought it near those that were in the pool at which the water had dried up, and let it go. The fish which he brought informed them that there was a pool in which there was water, in the way the Heron said. All the fishes that were in the dried-up pool became wishful to go.
Now then, the Pond Heron having taken them one by one, leaving aside the pool in which there was water, took them to a tree near it, and ate them. After not many days the fishes were finished; the Pond Heron ate all. Having eaten them, below the tree on which he put them there was a heap of bones to the extent of a tree in height.
Afterwards having seen that a Crab was in the dried-up pool, the Pond Heron spoke to it: “Friend, you also come to be conducted there,” he said.
The Crab also spoke to the Pond Heron: “Friend, my shell is very thin,” he said.
“I will take you carefully,” the Pond Heron said. After he had said it the Crab became wishful to go.
The Pond Heron took hold of his shell, and the Crab took hold of the neck of the Pond Heron with his two claws. Having taken hold of him the Pond Heron flew away. Having seen that, leaving the pool on this side, he was flying to the tree, the Crab spoke to him. “The pool is here,” he said.