The Snake and the Crab
Long ago a snake and a crab lived together in a green forest. The crab was a very honest, warm and open animal. But the snake always thought slyly and wanted to trick his friend. The crab noticed this bad habit and became very sad. Still, he stayed a friend to make the snake better. Every day the crab gave the snake gentle advice.
"Please be more honest and leave the crooked roads," he said. "An honest and straight life is always the best road," he added. But the snake never listened to these good words and only laughed. It went on making bad plans and cheating its friend. The crab understood that the snake never changed, and got very angry. One night the snake fell into a deep sleep in its hole. The crab went to his friend with determination and held it firmly with his claws.
The crab held the snake tightly with his hard claws, and the startled snake wriggled in fear. The ill-tempered snake now stood stuck between the claws, unable to move. The crab looked sadly at his friend, helpless between the claws. "Until today you always walked crooked paths, but from now on you will be honest," he said. When the frightened snake promised to change, the honest crab let it go from his claws. In life, everyone must choose an honest and straight road. Lies have short legs.