The Tiger and the Crane

 

In The Tiger and the Crane, a group of animals work together to protect their village from light-furred hunters (humans) and blood eaters (animals that eat other animals). A panda named Guan is the village's master. When Guan is close to the end of his life, he gathers all of the animals and tells them it is time for him to leave. There are three possible candidates on hand to take over village duties: Mung a red-headed crane, Ku a binturong, or Qingyang a Tibetan macaque. Within the village, the three pupils have various responsibilities. A conversation between Guan and Mung, the red-crowned crane, occurs before he dies. Mung is comforted by Guan's assurance that one of the three will make an excellent successor and master. Mung's heart is anxious and he believes they will not survive without Guan. Mung receives many words of wisdom from Gaun. Gaun's words to Mung are, "To do is to learn; therefore, you must do. Solutions are not found by worrying." After Guan dies, the three animals take charge until the village animals decide who will be their new master. After hearing gunshots and smelling blood, Mung investigates. He finds the hunters and discovers that they have killed a mother lion. Taking the orphaned young tiger cub under his wing, Mung trains him to defend the village. Throughout the story, the village animals protect their homes through cooperative efforts.

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