[GHHF] Bala Samskar Kendras – Students learned about “Crane and Crab,” a moral story that one should not trust anyone blindly.

01 Mar 2024 530 Views

Global Hindu Heritage Foundation is committed to transmit the richness of Sanatana dharma to the youngsters in terms of the depth and width of knowledge, the sacrifices of national heroes, miracles of Maha Rishis, science and mathematics, and the importance of maintaining the traditions and customs. We take pride in teaching various Sloks, and Stotras to the students. We also teach about several moral stories culled from Panchatantras and other Jataka stories to create dharmic values and develop a set of moral values that will guide them for the rest of their lives. 
The ‘Crane and the Crab’ story is a part of the ancient Indian animal fable, Panchatantra, written by Pandit Vishnu Sharma. These stories were developed to impart knowledge and wisdom to three royal princes.
In the story’ Crane and the Crab,’ the Crane symbolizes betrayal and treachery. The Crane assures the fishes of the pond a safe life but instead tricks them into becoming his meal. The Crab represents keen observance and quick thinking, which help him save his and others’ lives.
There used to be a crane/stork near a big pond. The crane was fishing and eating in the pond. But that stork gradually became old and could not fish like before. There was a situation of starving for a few days. "It's hard, if I don't do some trick, I won't live long," thought the stork. And a trick struck. She was sitting on the shore of the pond, thinking for a long time, and pretending to be worried.
In the same pond there was a crab who was friendly with the stork. The crab noticed that the stork was sad and asked, "Why are you looking like this?" she asked. "What can I tell you?" said the stork. "I have learned a sad thing." "What is that?" asked the crab eagerly. Then the stork said, “Today I saw an astrologer near the pond. It is said that there will be no rain in this region for twelve years. This pond will dry up. We will all be lost. I don't feel bad about myself, I've gotten over how old I am. But you are all still young. Sad to think of you.” said the stork.
The crab went and told the fish. All the fish started crying, “Oh! How! Are we all going to die?” Then the stork said, "There is a big pond in the next area, if you want, I will take you all one by one." Immediately all the fish stopped crying and happily accepted the stork's help.
Every day the stork used to put a fish in the bird's nose and fly away. But not near any other pond. At some distance it stopped near some rocks and killed and ate a fish. In the evening, she used to reach home again after playing a play.
A few days have passed. One day the crab begged the stork, "Take me too, I will have a chance to save my life." The stork said, "I am bored today by eating fish, today I can eat crab" and said, "What is it, I will take you today." But the crab is too big. A stork does not hold in its mouth. That is why the crab sat on the stork's back. Both started their journey. After some time, the crab could not get impatient and asked, "How far?" she asked.
Then the stork said “You fool! No pond is going to take you anywhere! Like those fishes, I will take you to the rocks and eat them," said the stork smilingly. Crab got mad. The Crab held the neck of the stork with its claws and pressed it to death. So, he went back to the pond with his life and told the rest of the fish that we should not blindly trust anyone anymore....
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