The Wolf and the Crane

A feeding wolf got a small bone stuck in his throat and, in terrible pain, begged the other animals for help, promising a reward.

At last the Crane agreed to try and, putting its long bill down the Wolf’s throat, loosened the bone and took it out.

But when the Crane asked for his reward, the Wolf replied, “You have put your head inside a wolf’s mouth and taken it out again in safety; that ought to be reward enough for you.”

Lesson: “You can’t make a good deal with a bad person.”

The Lion, the Panther and the Fox Who Went Hunting

One day the lion, the panther and the fox went hunting together, and it was agreed that whatever they caught would be shared between them. After lulling a large stag, they decided to have a hearty meal. The lion asked the panther to divide the spoils, and after the panther made 3 equal parts, he told his friends to take their pick, whereupon the lion, in great indignation seized the panther and tore him to pieces. He then told the fox to divide the spoils, and the fox gathered everything into one great pile except for a tiny portion that he reserved for himself.

“Ah, friend,” asked the lion, “Who taught you to divide things so equally?”

“I needed no other lesson,” replied the fox, “than the panther’s fate.”

Lesson – Better to learn from the mistakes of others than commit your own
Mental Model – Vicarious Learning