The Crab Tailor
The crab was a well-known tailor, famous for making clothes that were both stylish and well-fitted. Everyone loved the clothes made by it.
One day, a mantis came by and said, “I have a piece of fabric, but it’s a bit small. I can’t think of what to make.” The crab tailor replied, “No problem, leave it to me.” The next day, the crab presented a vest, and the mantis looked very handsome in it! The mantis was extremely pleased and gave the crab ten yuan.
Another day, a caterpillar came in with a piece of fabric, saying, “I want to wear pants like everyone else.” The crab said, “No problem, leave it to me.” The next day, the crab showed a pair of pants, which had six legs. The caterpillar looked especially beautiful in them, and it was so happy that it gave the crab ten yuan. Later that evening, the crab thought, “I made pants with two legs for the frog and the bird, but the caterpillar’s pants have six legs. Am I at a loss for money here?”
The next day, the crab came up with a plan and put up a notice at its door: “From now on, the price for making clothes, regardless of size, will be ten yuan per piece; for making pants, regardless of size, the price will be five yuan per leg.”
A small beetle complained, “My body is so small; ten yuan for a piece of clothing is too expensive!” The crab replied, “There’s no choice; clothing is priced per piece.” A centipede added, “I can’t afford pants because I have too many legs.” The crab replied, “Pants are priced per leg, regardless of size.”
Then an elephant arrived, using its trunk to carry a large piece of fabric. “Crab, make me a piece of clothing,” it said. The crab, exhausted from climbing up and down to measure, spent the entire night cutting the fabric because the elephant was just too big. The crab said to the elephant, “I lost money on this; it took me a whole week to finish.” The elephant handed over ten yuan and said, “That can’t be helped; you said the price is the same, regardless of size.”
Next, a python came along, carrying a piece of fabric on its head. “Crab, please make me a pair of pants; it’s a bit cold these days.” The crab thought, “This pair of pants will need to cover its entire body.” It worked for three days and nights to complete them. After the python put on the pants, it repeatedly said, “Thank you! Thank you!” and then turned to leave. The crab exclaimed, “You haven’t paid yet!” The python replied, “But my pants have no legs; why should I pay?” The crab said, “But I spent three days and nights making them; I guess I’ll have to give them to you for free.”
Later that evening, as all the customers left, the crab sat at the door in a daze. It thought to itself: “I put up that notice to earn money, but now I’m at a loss.” Just then, the elephant returned with a bunch of bananas, saying, “These are for you, as a thank you for making me that piece of clothing.” The python also brought a basket of apples, saying, “These apples are for you; thank you for making me those pants.” At that moment, the crab felt very happy! So, it quietly tore down the notice and told itself that helping friends is the happiest thing of all. From then on, more and more customers came to the crab for clothes.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
