The Cunning Crane and the Crab
The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India by WHD Rouse Link
Brief synopsis: This story tells the tale of a crane, who takes advantage of fish dying in a little pool to eat them, and then ends up killed himself in the end. First, the crane promises to take the fish to a larger lake, because their little pool is getting too warm and drying up. The fish are skeptical but it's their best option, so they allow the crane to take them one by one. However, the crane eats them rather than bringing them to the lake. Finally, after it's eaten all the fish, it attempts to do the same with a crab, who is smarter and hangs onto the crane's neck rather than in its mouth. Finally, the crab gets itself taken to the lake and beheads the crane, so all the crane and fish are dead but the crab is content.
Thoughts on the structure: The story begins with the classic "once upon a time..." and the problem statement. Then, it introduces a solution, the character of the crane, presents the series of events, and introduces the crab, finishes the story, and ends with "And the Crab lived happily ever after".
Focus on Plot: The story starts out fairly predictable, because the fish themselves even say "Why would you help us, you want to eat us?" But the title is focused on the crab, which isn't introduced until later in the story, and that helps keep the reader's attention. The Crane learns its lesson by way of its punishment by the Crab, so I would view that as the most important part of the plot-- the death of the fish is seen mostly as an unfortunate setup to that plot point. I wish there was some way to save the fish, rather than them having to die before the Crab essentially avenges them.
The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India by WHD Rouse Link
Brief synopsis: This story tells the tale of a crane, who takes advantage of fish dying in a little pool to eat them, and then ends up killed himself in the end. First, the crane promises to take the fish to a larger lake, because their little pool is getting too warm and drying up. The fish are skeptical but it's their best option, so they allow the crane to take them one by one. However, the crane eats them rather than bringing them to the lake. Finally, after it's eaten all the fish, it attempts to do the same with a crab, who is smarter and hangs onto the crane's neck rather than in its mouth. Finally, the crab gets itself taken to the lake and beheads the crane, so all the crane and fish are dead but the crab is content.
Thoughts on the structure: The story begins with the classic "once upon a time..." and the problem statement. Then, it introduces a solution, the character of the crane, presents the series of events, and introduces the crab, finishes the story, and ends with "And the Crab lived happily ever after".
Focus on Plot: The story starts out fairly predictable, because the fish themselves even say "Why would you help us, you want to eat us?" But the title is focused on the crab, which isn't introduced until later in the story, and that helps keep the reader's attention. The Crane learns its lesson by way of its punishment by the Crab, so I would view that as the most important part of the plot-- the death of the fish is seen mostly as an unfortunate setup to that plot point. I wish there was some way to save the fish, rather than them having to die before the Crab essentially avenges them.
 |
| The Crane eating the Fish Source |
Comments
Post a Comment