The Fox and the Crane
View/ Open
Author
Zhijun, Zhang
Date
1988. Dolphin Books. Beijing
Call No:
PZ8.2.Z44 Fx 1988 (Carlson Fable Collection, BIC bldg)
.
1988
Metadata
Show full item record
Remark:
This is a 20-page pamphlet with a surprising ending. The tale follows the usual progress of The Fox and the Stork until the crane's return meal for the fox. Here the crane asked the fox, who had struggled with the bottle on the table, to wait a minute. The the crane brought out a plate of meat soup. The fox lowered his head in shame, but the crane urged him to help himself. The fox apologized for his bad treatment of the crane, and they became good friends. I do not think that I have ever before seen a positive ending to this fable. Is this Chinese oneupmanship of decadent Westerners?