How the Crab Defeated the Monkey: A Japanese Tale of Cunning and Justice

Brief Description: The story of a crab who, with the help of its friends, was able to teach a greedy and cunning monkey a lesson. This fairy tale shows that evil and injustice always return to those who commit them.

In ancient times, in the Japanese forests, lived a crab and a monkey. The crab was humble and hardworking, while the monkey was greedy and prone to deceit. One day, while the crab was walking through the forest, he found a piece of rice cake. He was happy about his find, as this was a rare delicacy.

As he joyfully carried the rice cake home, he encountered the monkey on his way. Seeing the treat, the monkey decided to obtain it through trickery.

— Oh, Crab, what a delicious cake you have! — said the monkey. — But I can offer you something better. Take this persimmon seed. If you plant it, soon a tree with hundreds of such tasty fruits will grow!

The crab, being kind-hearted, agreed. He traded the cake for the seed, planted it, and began patiently tending to the young tree. Over time, a large tree grew from the seed, covered with ripe fruits. However, the crab, being small in stature, could not reach the fruits.

One day, the monkey walked past the tree. Seeing it, he said:

— Ah, Crab, what a wonderful tree! Let me help you pick the fruits.

The crab gratefully agreed, unaware of the monkey's intentions. The monkey skillfully climbed the tree, began picking and eating the persimmons, while only throwing down unripe or rotten fruits.

— This is unfair! — cried the crab. — You have deceived me! I cultivated this tree, and you are taking all the best fruits!

The monkey just laughed and, to get rid of the crab, threw a large stone at him. The stone hit the crab’s claws, and he, severely injured, crawled back into a hiding place. The monkey ran away, convinced that he would never see the crab again.

But the crab decided that injustice should not go unpunished. He called upon his friends: a bee that lived in a tree hollow and a sturdy rice mortar that stood in the village house. Together, they devised a plan.

On the day the monkey returned to his home, the crab’s friends hid inside. The bee hid in the watering can, and the crab crawled under the low table. Meanwhile, the rice mortar was placed on the high shelf by the door.

When the monkey entered the house and sat down to rest, the unexpected "attack" began. The bee flew out of the watering can and stung the monkey in the nose. The monkey jumped up, but immediately the heavy rice mortar fell on him, knocking him to the ground. The crab, seizing the moment, crawled out of his hiding place and clasped his claws around the monkey’s tail.

— Forgive me, Crab! — exclaimed the monkey. — I will never deceive and harm others again!

The crab released him but sternly said:

— Remember that greed and deceit always lead to misfortune. If you want to achieve something, act honestly.

From that day on, the monkey never tried to deceive others again, and the crab and his friends became heroes of the forest, proving that justice always prevails.

Moral of the Story:

This story teaches that cunning and greed lead to punishment, while justice and friendship help restore balance in the world.

Discussion Questions:

• Why did the crab trust the monkey and how did it end?
• How did the crab and his friends devise the plan to punish the monkey?
• What does this story teach about the consequences of cunning and deceit?