Hungry crane foiled

Press, 7 October 1980, Page 24

Hungry crane foiled

This story- is about a tired old crane which could no longer catch enough food to satisfy its hunger. To prolong its life the wily old bird thought up a plan that would have wiped out all the fish and small animals in a lake if it had been successful. There are no cranes in New Zealand. They’ ' are wading birds, somewhat like herons in appearance, but not related. Cranes have long legs, long sharp bills, and long necks. The long neck turned out to be the old crane’s misfortune in the end. When the crane told the fish that the lake was going to be drained there was consternation among the water animals. The cunning old wader had preyed on them throughout the summer. They did not trust, him, but he sounded convincing and they 7 did not know what to do. The crane told the fish there was a large pond a short distance away, and he offered to carry them to it one by one. At first they would net hear of such a plan, but they were frightened of the consequences if they stayed where they were. At last the fish decided to send an old carp to find out whether a pond existed.

Gently the crane lifted the carp in his bill and carried it to the pond. There was rejoicing among the fish when the carp returned safely, and told them the good news. Then they were all anxious to go. The crane did not mean to carry the fish to the pond at all. Having quietened their fears he intended to carry’ each one to a pleasant spot under a shady tree, and there to devour them one hy one. The first passenger was a large crab. It did not want to be carried in the crane’s bill, and asked to be allowed to cling to his neck. The wicked old bird was becoming hungry. Thoughtlessly he let the crab have its way. It was not far to the tree. The crane was thankful to reach its cooling shade, and ready for the tasty snack he was about to enjoy. But it was not to be. As soon as the crane stopped, the crab guessed that the water animals had been tricked. The targe crustacean had the advantage, and held the crane tightly between powerful daws. Tt drove them into the old crane’s long neck. The crane sighed as he breathed his last, wishing he had made a meal of the old carp on the first trip.