The Wolf and the Crane
Kathleen Berlew
1Long ago, a wolf was eating meat when a bone became stuck in his throat. He cried out in pain. A crane standing nearby heard his cries. She offered to help the wolf, who promised her a large reward if she would put her head into his mouth and remove the bone. The crane accepted his offer. She reached her long, thin beak into the wolf’s mouth and gently pulled out the bone. Then she asked, “Will you kindly give me the reward you promised?”
2The wolf showed his teeth and growled at the crane. “I have already given you a reward,” he said. “I let you put your head in my mouth and did not eat you. Now go away before I change my mind.”
3The crane flew away and promised herself that she would never again help a wolf in pain.
4Never trust the wicked.
Which characters are ungrateful?