An old heron could no longer catch fish easily. So he stood sadly by the pond and told the fish, "Terrible news — fishermen will soon net this whole pond. But I know a lovely lake nearby. I can carry you there one by one."

The fish believed him. Each day he carried one away — to a rock, where he ate it.

Finally a crab asked to go. Riding on the heron's neck, the crab saw the rock piled with fish bones and understood everything. He gripped the heron's neck tightly with his claws and did not let go until the wicked heron fell dead. Then he walked back to tell the others the truth.