Aesop's Fables: Sir Roger L'Estrange (1692)
8. A WOLF AND A CRANE (Perry 156)
A Wolf had got a Bone in’s Throat, and could think of no better Instrument
to ease him of it, than the Bill of a Crane; so he went and treated with
a Crane to help him out with it, upon condition of a very considerable
Reward for his Pains. The Crane did him the good Office, and then claim’d
his Promise. Why how now Impudence! (says t’other) Do you put your head
into the Mouth of a Wolf, and then, when you’ve brought it out again safe
and sound, do you talk of a Reward? Why Sirrah, you have your Head again,
and is that not a sufficient Recompence.
THE MORAL One good Turn, they say, requires another: But yet he that
has to do with wild Beasts (as some Men are no better) and comes off with
a whole Skin, let him expect no other Reward.
 L'Estrange originally published his version of the fables in 1692. There is a
very nice illustrated edition in the Children's Classics series by Knopf: Sir
Roger L'Estrange. Aesop
- Fables which is available at amazon.com.
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