The Fox and the Crane

Story Summary
In "The Fox and the Crane," a Fox invites a Crane to dinner, serving soup in a shallow dish that the Crane cannot eat from, highlighting the funny and impactful moral of reciprocated unkindness. In turn, the Crane invites the Fox and serves food in a narrow container, ensuring the Fox is equally unable to enjoy the meal. This simple moral story illustrates the importance of kindness and consideration in hospitality, offering simple lessons from stories that resonate with readers.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
Treat others as you would like to be treated, as poor hospitality can lead to a fitting response.
Historical Context
This fable, attributed to Aesop, is part of a rich tradition of storytelling that highlights moral lessons through anthropomorphized animals. Originating in ancient Greece, Aesop's fables have been retold across cultures, often emphasizing themes of reciprocity and the consequences of one's actions, as seen in this tale of the Crane and the Fox, which underscores the importance of fairness in hospitality. The story reflects societal values about justice and cleverness, resonating through various adaptations in folklore worldwide.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable reminds us that treating others with consideration and respect is essential in our relationships; if we only focus on our own enjoyment without considering the needs of others, we may find ourselves on the receiving end of similar treatment. In modern life, this could play out in a workplace scenario where a manager might plan a team-building event that caters only to their own interests, disregarding the preferences of their team, leading to resentment and disengagement among employees who feel undervalued.
You May Also Like

The Shepherd's Boy
In this fable story with moral, a lonely young Shepherd Boy tricks the villagers twice by falsely shouting "Wolf" to gain their attention. When a real Wolf appears and threatens his sheep, the villagers ignore his cries, believing he is lying again, leading to a loss of his flock. This unique moral story teaches young readers that a liar will not be believed, even when telling the truth, emphasizing the importance of honesty in real-life stories with moral lessons.

The Wolf and the Fox
In "The Wolf and the Fox," a large and strong Wolf, believing himself honored by his fellow wolves when they call him "Lion," foolishly abandons his kind to live among lions. An observant old Fox comments on the Wolf's pride, pointing out that despite his size, he will always be merely a wolf in a herd of lions. This entertaining moral story serves as a life-changing reminder of the dangers of self-conceit and the importance of recognizing one's true nature in the realm of popular moral stories for adults.

The Lion and the Fox
In "The Lion and the Fox," an engaging moral tale, a Fox partners with a Lion, helping him locate prey while the Lion captures it. Jealous of the Lion's share, the Fox decides to hunt independently but ultimately fails and becomes prey to hunters and their dogs. This short and sweet moral story reminds students that envy can lead to one's downfall.
Other names for this story
Cunning Dinner Guests, A Tale of Two Hosts, The Crane's Clever Revenge, Fox and Crane: A Fable, Dinner Dilemma: Fox vs. Crane, The Dinner Party Trick, A Feast of Fables, The Art of Hospitality
Did You Know?
This fable illustrates the theme of reciprocity in hospitality, emphasizing that one should treat others as they wish to be treated; the Fox's cruel invitation backfires when the Crane reciprocates with a dinner that highlights the Fox's own flaws. The story serves as a reminder that selfishness and trickery can lead to one's own downfall.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.