The Wolf and The Crane - A Panchatantra Story

The Wolf and The Crane

The Wolf in Trouble

Once, there lived a greedy and cunning wolf in a dense forest. One day, while he was enjoying his dinner, a bone got stuck in his throat. The wolf tried everything to get it out, but all his efforts went in vain. He began to groan in pain and panic.

He thought, "The pain may go away, but if this bone doesn't come out, I won't be able to eat. I might starve to death."

The Crane's Help

Suddenly, he remembered a crane who lived by a nearby lake. The wolf rushed to the crane and pleaded, "Dear friend, a bone is stuck deep in my throat. Your long beak can help me remove it. If you save me, I shall reward you handsomely."

Moved by the wolf's miserable condition, the crane agreed. Carefully, he inserted his beak—and part of his neck—into the wolf's throat and managed to pull out the bone.

The Wolf's Betrayal

The wolf was relieved. The crane then asked, "Now, please pay me the reward you promised."

The wolf laughed cruelly and said, "Reward? You put your head into my mouth, and I let you take it out safely. That should be reward enough. Now go, or I'll eat you!"

Shocked and frightened, the crane quickly flew away—realizing he had helped a thankless and dangerous creature.

Moral: Helping the wicked brings no reward.