Introduction
Fables have always been a unique form of moral teaching, a simple story with deep wisdom. The Wolf and the Crane is a classic tale that teaches the value of gratitude, fairness, and human nature. This ages-old story has been handed down through the generations, reminding us of the importance of exercising judgment and the ripples of our actions.
In this article, we will delve deep into the world of The Wolf and the Crane, explore its significance, and reveal the moral lessons it holds for both children and adults.
The Wolf and Crane Tale.
Once upon a time, in a thick forest there was a fierce and cunning wolf. This wolf was famous among all animals for his strength and also for his arrogance and selfishness. Intimidating as he was, the wolf often had common problems that he couldn't solve on his own.
He suffered a great deal as the bone became stuck in his throat.When the bone lodged in his throat, he struggled in excruciating pain.The wolf tried as hard as he could, but the bone wouldn't come out for him. He tried rolling on the ground, rubbing his throat against rocks, and drinking water, but to no avail.He felt weak and pitiful due to the extreme pain.
In his plight, the wolf conceived of an idea. He yelled at every animal in the area and promised a nice reward to the one who could assist him in removing the bone from his throat.When he heard the wolf cried out, a brave and wise crane wanted to help.
Hesitantly, the crane approached the wolf. The wolf opened his mouth and revealed the bone firmly embedded in his throat. With care the crane slipped his long, slender bill into the wolf's mouth and succeeded in pulling the bone from it. Immediately relieved, the wolf thanked the crane for saving his life.
The crane asked the wolf for his reward because he thought he would receive it as promised. With a cunning grin the wolf responded, "Do you want to be rewarded for helping me?" Look at the reward you already have-you're alive and unharmed. Is that not enough?"
Even when the wolf was helped by the crane, he was not willing to keep his promise. The crane, while feeling deceived, was safe, and learned an important lesson about trusting someone who has a history of selfish behavior and lying.
Positive and Negative: Close Reading of the Story
Although this simple story might look like a fable of animal life, it has more profound meanings. Let's look at The Wolf and the Crane's main ideas and components:
The Wolf as a Card-Carrying Jerkass
The wolf's character represents the destructive nature of greed and arrogance. Being a powerful creature, he couldn't solve a problem that involved asking for help. This illustrates that even the most powerful may require collaboration to overcome challenges.
The Crane as a Symbol of Courage and Wisdom
The crane is a symbol of courage, intelligence and generosity towards others. He risked his life to go into the mouth of a dangerous predator to help someone that was in need. This is a virtue of courage and willingness to serve, but also an indication of the need for discernment.
The Moral of Broken Promises
The tale highlights the importance of trust and keeping promises, as the wolf's failure to uphold his commitment serves as a cautionary example. It instructs the readers to be careful when introduced to someone who is prone to act dishonestly.
Moral message from The Wolf and the Crane
The moral of The Wolf and the Crane aligns with that of classic fables, conveying timeless wisdom. Key takeaways include:
Be Careful Whom You Trust
It's good to help others, but trusting someone who has a history of selfishness is dangerous. The crane realized that not all good things are returned.
Courage and Wisdom are Inseparable
The crane exercised courage on facing a dangerous wolf, but his wisdom taught him to be cautious. Courage in life must be mixed with intelligent choice.
Do not all reward good deeds?
The story serves as a reminder that although we may do our best, sometimes we may not get the recognition or reward. True value is doing the right thing, not in reward.
Selfishness Causes Alienation
The wolf, even though he was a powerful animal, had to ask for someone's help, proving that selfishness and greed can get one into a situation where one cannot go alone. Teaching cooperation and fairness is essential to problem solving.
How This Story Relevant Today
Even today, The Wolf and the Crane's lessons are applicable to children and adults alike:
In Business: In business, trusting someone without verifying their integrity can lead to letdowns.
Friendships: Not all friends will be grateful for your help, be selective about your relationships.
In Life: True courage is often a matter of taking risks, but intelligence is needed to avoid being hurt.
This fable also helps children grasp concepts such as honesty, bravery and consequences in a simple and unforgettable way.
How to Teach With This Story
Using The Wolf and the Crane, teachers and parents can teach the following important lessons:
Children can learn about bravery and consequences by acting out the story.
Discussion: Ask questions such as, "Why didn't the wolf want to reward the crane?" Or "What would you have done if you had been in the crane's position?"
Moral Writing: Allow children to write what they learned and how they can use this in their everyday life.
Conclusion
The Wolf and the Crane is a classic fable in which a simple story about animals is mixed with profound moral messages. It teaches us about trust, courage, wisdom and the necessity of judging whom we aid. Whereas the crane was brave and kind, the wolf showed selfishness that prompts us to be careful with those who might not keep their promises.
