The Mud Crab

One morning, a black crab strolled on the beach looking for food. It was very calm, small waves softly broke on the shore. The black crab saw a small fish driven to the shore. He slowly came closer. He found the small fish was weak. He immediately dragged it slowly into the water. He wanted to eat it, as he coincidentally hasn’t had breakfast yet. The black crab dragged the small fish into the water again. The small fish started to move. Apparently, it only fainted. The black crab sat down watching the small fish pant. He sympathised with the fish. He could not eat it. So, he just let the small fish swim. He was happy even though he was hungry.

Suddenly, the small fish swam towards him and said, “Thank you, you saved my life. What can I give in return?” The black crab laughed and said,

“I don’t think you can do much with your small size.”

“So did you save me because I’m small?” asked the fish again.

“Not really, I purposely saved you because I sympathised with you,” explained the crab.

“If that is so, you are very kind,” said the small fish relieved.

“I have three magic stones.” The small fish took three tiny stones out of his mouth. The stones were gold, silver and an ordinary one. All stones were put on the sand. “If you swallowed the golden stone, your skin will turn gold in color. If you swallow the silver stone, your skin will turn silver in color and if you swallow the ordinary stone, your skin will turn stone in color. Choose one as a gift from me,” explained the small fish. The black crab thought for a while,

“If I choose the golden stone, I will become an extraordinary golden crab. All crabs in the world will respect me. I might become the king of all crabs!” The black crab thought. “But a king has a heavy responsibility and I can’t shoulder it.” The black crab thought and changed his mind to the silver stone. “The silver color is better because it is so bright and more beautiful, the female crabs would adore me. But I will have many enemies because other crabs especially male crabs will be jealous. I don’t want to have many enemies,” pondered the black crab. “Let me just choose the ordinary stone, maybe it can make me happy. Who knows, it may be more special than the other two stones,” decided the black crab. The small fish gave the ordinary stone to the black crab.

“You are not only kind but also unselfish and wise,” said the small fish as he swam away. The black crab then swallowed the ordinary stone, and then his skin changed to a stone and sand-like color. He became a mud crab. Because his body looks like stones, many fishes and prawns were confused, which enables him easily catch his prey. His skin could also trick his enemies including man. He could escape easily. Now, the mud crab understood what the small fish said. If he had chosen the golden or the silver stone, he would not be saved as he is now. He was thankful because he could think wisely before making decisions.