16. On the Water

And he began his story thus:

The Story of a Crab

“Once there was a crab, as beautiful as the day. She was good, very intelligent for a crab, and very brave. She lived quietly in her little home, but behold, one day, of a sudden, she heard cries and groans around her. It seemed that the water was growing low, had in fact fallen so low that every creature which lived in it was very much alarmed. She had noticed for a long time that the water was diminishing, but she had done as the others, she had hoped that matters would arrange themselves.

“In the face of so many lamentations, the crab said to herself that the subject was worthy of attention. She became very thoughtful, and came to the conclusion that it would be truly desirable for someone to devote herself to the duty of going after water for the others. To whom should a mission of such importance be confided?

“The crab took counsel, but could not fix her choice on anyone.

“In her heart she had confidence in herself alone. This one didn’t know the road well enough, that one would play on the way, a third would commit a thousand follies. The opinions of most of them were too advanced. Peter’s character was not reliable, and Paul was too delicate to bear the fatigue of such a long journey, for the water was at a great distance.

“‘I will go myself,’ she said at last.

“She seized a jug and started on her journey, escorted for some steps by the enthusiastic cheers of those who like to see others work better than to work themselves.

“‘What a crab,’ they cried on all sides. ‘How much energy! If she will hasten a little, we shall be saved.’ The frogs wept with emotion, and the tadpoles fainted with joy.

“Behold my crab on her way; she does not lose a moment, but goes straight on her road, and walks, walks, walks without even taking time to breathe.

“But little by little she becomes very tired, and indignation begins to arise in her breast.

“‘I am crazy to run thus,’ she said to herself. ‘I fly like an arrow, there is no common sense in it. Let me be reasonable and walk naturally.’

“Retaking, then, her accustomed gait, she began to walk, as usual, with measured step. She took seven years to go in search of the water, and ten to return with it to her home.

“This need not astonish any one, for a full jug is much heavier and more difficult to carry than an empty one.

“When she returned to the threshold of her home, she had a little stairway of four steps to mount. It was there that the boats had formerly landed. She climbed up these steps, but not without difficulty. With a jug, it was not an easy thing to do.