The Fox and the Stork

A Fox invited a Stork to dinner and, being a practical joker, served the soup in a shallow dish. The Fox lapped up his soup easily enough, but the Stork with her long bill could only wet the tip of it and went home hungry and resentful.

A few days later, the Stork invited the Fox to dinner in return. When the Fox arrived, the Stork served a delicious meal — but in a long-necked jar with a narrow mouth. The Stork easily thrust her bill inside and ate her fill, while the Fox could only lick the outside of the jar and went home as hungry as the Stork had been.

The Fox complained bitterly. The Stork simply smiled. Now you know how it feels, she said. One bad turn deserves another. Treat others as you wish to be treated.