The Heron That Liked Crab-Meat

In a royal palace, there was a very special bed. On this bed lived a louse named Creep, who had a big family. They all enjoyed living there, drinking the king's blood while he slept.

One day, a flea named Leap, blown in by the wind, landed on the bed. Leap was delighted by the bed's softness and nice smell. He decided to stay and taste the king's blood, which he thought would be delicious.

Creep saw Leap and told him to leave, saying it was a place fit for kings, not for fleas. But Leap begged to stay, promising to only bite the king's feet when he was asleep or tired.

Creep agreed but warned Leap to be careful. However, Leap, hungry and impatient, bit the king on the back just as he was dozing off. The king felt a sharp sting, jumped up, and ordered his servants to find the biting insect.

In a panic, Leap hid in a crevice, but the servants found Creep and her family instead and killed them all. Leap survived because he was hiding, but Creep and her family suffered because of his mistake.

That's why it's said that sharing your home with a stranger can be dangerous, just like what happened to Creep. And it's also important for kings to pay attention to their loyal servants, to avoid bad outcomes like in the story of the Blue Jackal.

The moral of the story "Leap and Creep" is that it can be risky and dangerous to trust or associate with strangers, as their actions can bring unintended consequences. In the story, Creep, the louse, allowed Leap, the flea, to share her living space on the king's bed. Despite her warnings, Leap acted recklessly and ended up causing harm to Creep and her family. This tale teaches the importance of being cautious about whom we trust and allow into our personal space, as their actions can directly impact our well-being. Additionally, it highlights the importance of understanding and respecting boundaries and agreements.