“I am taking thee to eat,” the Pond Heron said.
At that time having seized the two claws the Pond Heron killed him.
Washerman. North-western Province.
The Pond Heron. (Variant.)
In a certain country a Pond Heron stayed, it is said. At the time while the Pond Heron was there, seeking small fishes in the tanks, a great general drought befel. On account of it all the tanks dried up. The Pond Heron ate all the small fishes that stayed in them.
Having eaten them, he remained hungry for two or three days, there being no more small fishes. Having been in that state, and having flown away to seek food, as he was going along he saw that a tank having dried up, small fishes were there, being unable to go elsewhere.
The Pond Heron having gone there, asked the small fishes, “What, friends, are you there for?”
Then the small fishes said, “Anē! Friend, the little water that there was for us having dried up, we are without water.”
After that, the Pond Heron said, “If so, friends, there is a good river for you. I will take you to it, and put you down there.”