Aesop’s fable | The Wolf and the Crane

Aesop's fable | The Wolf and the Crane

This podcast episode presents a rhythmic retelling of the classic Aesop's fable "The Wolf and the Crane." The story follows a desperate wolf who gets a bone stuck in his throat and pleads with a crane for help. The kind (but foolish) crane uses his long neck to remove the bone, risking his life in the process. When the crane asks for payment afterward, the wolf mockingly replies that escaping with his head intact should be payment enough. The moral warns listeners about the dangers of helping those of dangerous character, and how some will consider it payment enough that they didn't harm you, even when they promised rewards.

Origin

This fable comes from Aesop's collection, attributed to the Greek storyteller who lived around the 6th century BCE. "The Wolf and the Crane" is one of his most famous cautionary tales about ingratitude and the risks of trusting dangerous characters. The fable has been retold across cultures for over 2,500 years and appears in numerous collections, including those by La Fontaine. It's traditionally interpreted as a warning against expecting gratitude from the wicked or powerful, and demonstrates how self-interest often trumps promises.

 

Wolf was scarfing down his stew
As hungry hurried wolves will do
When down his throat a bone did lodge
He gagged and coughed like a furry hodgepodge

He howled and choked and rolled with pain
Till by came strolling a curious crane
Dear friend said wolf with watered eye
Please help me out or else I’ll die

You’ve got a neck so long and slim
It’s just the tool for something grim
Please reach inside my jaws so wide
And yank this nasty bone outside

The crane though wise was kind and rash
And poked his head past tooth and gash
He reached way in without a moan
And gently tugged out the stubborn bone

There said the wolf I’m good as new
I owe it all of course to you
Next time I’ll chew with better care
No bones to trap no throats to tear

The crane stood still and cleared his throat
I’d like my pay he dared to note
The wolf just laughed with teeth still red
You got to keep your feathery head

So if you help a beast in need
Be sure you’re not the one they feed
For kindness counts but not you see
Inside a wolf’s economy

 

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