One day, the Fox thought of a plan to amuse himself at the Stork's expense, often laughing at the Stork's odd appearance.

"You must come and dine with me today," he said to the Stork, smiling to himself at the trick he was going to play. The Stork gladly accepted the invitation, arriving promptly and with a very good appetite.

For dinner, the Fox served soup. However, it was served in a very shallow dish, and the Stork could only wet the very tip of his bill. Not a drop of soup could he get. The Fox, however, lapped it up easily and, to increase the Stork's disappointment, made a great show of enjoyment.

The hungry Stork was greatly displeased by the trick. Yet, being a calm, even-tempered fellow, he saw no good in getting upset. Instead, not long afterward, he invited the Fox to dine with him. The Fox arrived promptly at the agreed time, and the Stork served a fish dinner with a very appetizing smell. However, it was served in a tall jar with a very narrow neck. The Stork could easily reach the food with his long bill. The Fox, however, could only lick the outside of the jar and sniff at the delicious odor. When the Fox finally lost his temper, the Stork calmly said:

"Do not play tricks on your neighbors unless you can stand the same treatment yourself."