A white crane, living in the Himavanta region, encounters a lion suffering from a bone lodged in his throat. The crane offers to help but is initially hesitant due to the lion's predatory nature. The lion reassures the crane that he will not harm him if he assists. The crane cleverly uses a stick to keep the lion's mouth open while he extracts the bone with his beak. Once freed, the lion recovers and later kills a buffalo. The crane, seeking acknowledgment for his help, perches above the lion and inquires about his reward. The lion responds dismissively, implying that the crane should be grateful to be alive after being in his mouth. The crane retorts with verses highlighting the lion's ingratitude and the futility of serving someone who does not reciprocate kindness. He concludes that it is better to distance oneself from ungrateful individuals. The narrative serves as a moral lesson on the nature of gratitude and the consequences of ingratitude, with the crane representing selflessness and the lion embodying betrayal. The story concludes with a reflection from the Buddha, identifying the lion as a traitor and the crane as himself, emphasizing the importance of recognizing true friendship and the dangers of associating with the ungrateful.
By Joseph Jacobs · First published 1894 · Genre: Fable, Fantasy, Allegory