Once upon a time, by a sparkling river, lived a tall and clever heron named Pingala. He loved walking along the riverbank, searching for fish, frogs, and anything tasty to eat.
One bright morning, Pingala spotted a small, plump crab scuttling near the water.
“Ah-ha! This little crab looks delicious!” thought Pingala, his beak curling into a sly smile.
He crept closer and said in a sweet voice, “Hello, little crab! Come with me to a special place. The sun is warm, and the water is so lovely there!”
The crab, wise and careful, shook its claws. “Thank you, Mr. Heron, but I like my home here. It’s safe, and I know how to protect myself.”
Pingala flapped his wings excitedly. “Oh, don’t be shy! I only want to show you something fun. You’ll love it!”
The crab thought for a moment and replied, “I appreciate your offer, Mr. Heron, but I stay safe in my riverbank. I watch out for clever herons like you!”
Pingala tried every trick he could think of. He flapped, he flattered, and even pretended to leave. But the little crab stayed clever, moving quickly and hiding among the rocks.
“Hmph! You tricky little crab, you’re too smart for me!” muttered Pingala, finally giving up.
The crab waved its claws happily and said, “Remember, Mr. Heron, it’s better to be safe than fooled by clever words!”
From that day on, the crab stayed safe in the riverbank, and Pingala learned an important lesson: being clever isn’t enough; you must also be careful.