The Stork and the Crane is a thought-provoking story from Aesop’s fables that reveals the importance in relationships and how we are perceived by the outside world through the interaction between the stork and the crane. Here is a detailed analysis of the story to help you better understand its moral.
1. Background: The Farmer’s Dilemma and the Crane’s Stealing of Food
1.1 The Farmer’s Trouble
The story begins with a farmer whose hard-earned grain is often stolen by cranes. In order to protect the fruits of his labor, the farmer lays down many nets in his fields to catch these food-stealing cranes.
1.2 The Friendship between a Stork and a Crane
There was a stork that became friends with a crane and often talked and played together. The stork’s mother was very worried and warned him, “The cranes steal the farmer’s seeds and sooner or later they will be caught. You are with them and we look so much like the cranes that the farmer may mistake you for a crane and catch you too!” The stork, however, was not impressed, thinking that he had not stolen the food and that there would be no problem.
2. The Stork’s Misfortune and the Farmer’s Decision
2.1 The Stork’s Arrest
The farmer finally relented and laid a net to catch many cranes that had been stealing seeds. Unfortunately, the stork was also caught in the net. The stork pleaded with the farmer, “Let me go! I didn’t steal your seeds. I am a stork with a good character, and filial, and hardworking. With my character, I would not steal your food. Although I look a bit like a crane, you see clearly that we are different!”
2.2 The Farmer’s Response
The farmer smiled and replied, “You talk a lot, and I don’t know if it’s true or not. But I saw you with my own eyes with these seed-stealing cranes, and you were caught in my net. So you have to be punished just like them!” The stork regretted it and lamented, “My mom told me not to be friends with bad people, but I didn’t listen! Now I understand, but it’s too late!”
3. Moral and Inspiration of the Fable
3.1 The one who is near the ink is black, the one who is near the vermilion is red.
The most direct moral of this parable is “The one who is close to ink is black, and the one who is close to vermilion is red”. It warns us that the kind of people we associate with will affect our behavior and reputation. Even if we have done nothing wrong ourselves, we may be misunderstood by outsiders if we associate with bad people.
3.2 What the Outside World Thinks of Us
The story also reminds us that the outside world tends to define us by the people around us. If our friends are positive, others will think we are; conversely, if our friends are lazy and negative, others will have a negative impression of us.
4. The Importance of Relationships
## 4.1 Things fall together, people fall apart
While it is true that there are people in the world who are “uncontaminated”, such people are in the minority. In most cases, people come together with like-minded people. Therefore, choosing friends and circles is crucial to our image and development.
4.2 Low-quality socializing vs. high-quality solitude
The story also reminds us that low quality socialization is not as good as high quality solitude. Life and time are limited and we should choose to enter groups and circles that interest us. That way, others can see us around and get a general idea of what kind of people we are.
5. How to apply the revelations of the parable
5.1 Choose your friends carefully
We should choose our friends carefully and avoid associating with undesirable people. This is not only to protect ourselves, but also to preserve our reputation.
5.2 Active participation in positive circles
Actively participating in positive social circles and associating with positive people can help us improve ourselves and gain more opportunities and resources.
5.3 Maintain independent thinking
Although the outside world will define us through the people around us, we should also maintain independent thinking and not be swayed by outside opinions. We should stick to our values and principles and be a truly independent person.
Conclusion
The fable “The Stork and the Crane” conveys a profound truth to us through the unfortunate experience of the stork: the choice of friends and circles has a significant impact on our life and reputation. We should choose our friends carefully and actively participate in positive social circles, while maintaining independent thinking and being a truly independent person. We hope that the revelation of this story will bring positive impact on your life.
