Down by a sparkling blue river, where the reeds swayed gently in the breeze, lived a kind Crab. Crab always tried to be honest and fair. His neighbor was a long, slithery Snake.

Now, Crab and Snake tried to be friends. Crab would often say, "Hello, Snake! Lovely day for a sunbathe, isn't it?"
Snake would hiss back, "Yesss, lovely, Crab."

But Snake had a sneaky heart. He would often tell little fibs or try to trick the other river creatures. Crab, who liked things to be straightforward (even if he himself walked sideways!), didn't like this at all.

"Snake," Crab would say, clicking his claws together thoughtfully. "It's much better to be honest and true. If you keep being tricky, no one will trust you."

Snake would just wiggle his tail. "Oh, Crab," he'd slide out, "that's just your way of thinking. My way is much more... interesting!" And he'd slither off, probably to play a prank on a frog.

Crab tried many times to teach Snake to be good and straight in his dealings, just like a path should be straight. "Please, Snake," he'd plead, "try to be more direct, less twisty in your words and actions."

But Snake never listened. He thought being cunning was clever.

One day, Crab saw Snake sleeping, all coiled up. Crab felt a bit sad. He had tried so hard to help Snake be better. He thought, "If you won't be straight and honest when you're alive, perhaps you can at least look straight now."

So, very carefully, Crab used his strong claws to gently uncoil the sleeping Snake and lay him out straight along the riverbank.

When Snake woke up, he was surprised to find himself stretched out! And for a moment, he looked quite noble.
Crab just looked at him and said, "See, Snake? Being straight isn't so bad after all. But it's a shame you only learn it when you're not trying to be tricky."

Snake, for once, didn't have a slithery answer. Maybe, just maybe, he started to think.

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