The Wolf and the Crane

A Wolf had been gorging on his prey and a bone had stuck crosswise in his throat. He was in great agony and ran about asking every animal he met to help him. At last he found a Crane and begged her to put her long bill down his throat and pull out the bone, promising a handsome reward.

The Crane agreed and, putting her head down the Wolf throat, pulled out the bone with her long beak. There, she said, I have removed the bone. Now please give me the reward you promised.

The Wolf grinned, showing all his teeth. Your reward, he snarled, is that I let you pull your head out of my mouth alive. Be grateful for that, and never trust a scoundrel to keep his word.