The Wolf and the Crane

a wolf had been gorging1 on an animal he had killed, when

suddenly a small bone in the meat stuck in his throat and he could

not swallow it. he soon felt terrible pain in his throat, and ran

up and down groaning2 and groaning and seeking for something to

relieve the pain. he tried to induce every one he met to remove

the bone. "i would give anything," said he, "if you would take it

out." at last the crane agreed to try, and told the wolf to lie

on his side and open his jaws3 as wide as he could. then the crane

put its long neck down the wolf's throat, and with its beak

loosened the bone, till at last it got it out.

"will you kindly4 give me the reward you promised？" said the

crane.

the wolf grinned and showed his teeth and said: "be content.

you have put your head inside a wolf's mouth and taken it out

again in safety; that ought to be reward enough for you."

gratitude5 and greed go not together.