# The Lion and the Crane explained — Indian Fairy Tales

> Chapter companion for Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs.

## What happens

A crane (the Bodhisatta) removes a bone stuck in a lion's throat, saving his life. When the crane later asks for gratitude, the lion threatens him instead. The crane rebukes the lion's ingratitude and flies away. The Buddha identifies the lion as Devadatta the Traitor and himself as the crane.

## Themes in this chapter

### Gratitude and Ingratitude

The crane saves the lion's life, but the lion refuses any return of gratitude, prompting the crane's rebuke and departure.

### Justice and Karma

The crane's wise withdrawal from the ungrateful lion reflects a karmic understanding that ingratitude brings its own consequences.

## Character check-ins

### The Crane Bodhisatta

The white crane who compassionately removes the bone from the lion's throat and later rebukes the lion's ingratitude.

### The Lion

The lion who suffers from a bone stuck in his throat, is saved by the crane, but refuses to show gratitude.

### Buddha

The Buddha, identified as the crane in the tale, tells the story and identifies the lion as Devadatta.

### Devadatta

Identified as the ungrateful lion in the Buddha's telling of the tale.

### Brahmadatta

Reigning in Benares at the time of the story.

## Key lines

> A service have we done thee To the best of our ability, King of the Beasts! Your Majesty! What return shall we get from thee?

The crane asks the lion what reward he will receive for saving his life.

_The crane politely reminds the lion of the service rendered and inquires about compensation._

> As I feed on blood, And always hunt for prey, ’Tis much that thou art still alive Having once been between my teeth.

The lion threatens the crane, saying it is lucky to be alive after being inside his mouth.

_The lion's response is hostile and ungrateful, dismissing the crane's help._

> Ungrateful, doing no good, Not doing as he would be done by, In him there is no gratitude, To serve him is useless.

The crane declares that the lion is ungrateful and that helping him is futile.

_The crane condemns the lion's lack of gratitude and decides to leave._

> His friendship is not won By the clearest good deed. Better softly withdraw from him, Neither envying nor abusing.

The crane concludes that no good deed can earn the lion's friendship, so it is best to leave peacefully.

_The crane advises a quiet departure without conflict, recognizing the lion's unchangeable nature._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-lion-and-the-crane
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters