The Wolf and the Crane – Full Version of the Russian Folk Tale
The tale "The Wolf and the Crane" tells the story of how the crane helped the wolf get rid of a bone stuck in his throat, but the wolf showed ingratitude. A lesson about kindness and caution.
Description: The full version of the Russian folk tale about how the crane saved the wolf, who later showed ingratitude. A story that teaches to value kind deeds and be cautious.
One day, the wolf found a piece of meat in the forest. Hungry, he greedily swallowed it, but accidentally also swallowed a bone. The bone got stuck in his throat, and the wolf could neither swallow it nor spit it out. He was struggling, wheezing, and trying to fix it on his own, but nothing worked. He began looking for someone who could help him.
Just then, the crane was strolling through the forest. The wolf went up to him, grabbed his wing, and begged:
– Crane, save me! A bone is stuck in my throat, and I can’t get it out. If you help me, I will reward you generously. I swear I won’t hurt you, even if you put your head in my mouth!
The crane was cautious:
– Are you sure you won’t deceive me? I trust you, but you might trick me.
The wolf pleaded:
– I swear by all that is in the forest that I won’t harm you. Just help me, or I will die!
The crane agreed to help. He cautiously approached the wolf and said:
– Open your mouth wide and don’t move. I’ll pull out the bone with my beak, but don’t bite!
The wolf obediently opened his mouth, and the crane, extending his long neck, put his beak in the wolf’s throat. He carefully grabbed the bone, pulled it out, and freed the wolf. The wolf sighed with relief, and the crane flew to a safe distance.
– Well, – said the crane, – I saved you. Now keep your word and reward me for my help.
But the wolf, with a greedy look in his eyes, smirked:
– Didn’t you get a reward already? You put your head in my mouth and lived. Isn’t that enough for you?
The crane was outraged:
– How can you do this? I helped you, and you deceive me! You are ungrateful and shameless!
The wolf laughed and replied:
– You’re to blame yourself. Who can trust a wolf? Now go your way, and be glad I didn’t eat you!
The crane, hurt and disappointed, flew up and shouted:
– May no one help you anymore, ungrateful beast! You will never deceive me again!
From then on, the crane never spoke to the wolf again, and the wolf continued to live in the forest, but no animal trusted him. The wolf realized that his trickery had left him in solitude.
Moral: This story teaches us that we should value kindness, and that trickery and ingratitude lead only to loneliness and trouble.
Questions for children:
- Why did the crane agree to help the wolf?
- How did the wolf deceive the crane?
- What lesson does this story teach us?
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