ʿaasha maalikun ḥaziinun bijaanibi birkatin fiihaa samakun kathiirunA heron lived beside a pond with a lot of fish in it.
kabira al-maaliku al-ḥaziinu walam yaʿud yaqdiru ʿalaa ṣaydi as-samakiThe heron grew old and could no longer catch fish.
fakkara fii ḥiilatin wawaqafa ʿalaa ash-shaaṭi’i ḥaziinanHe thought of a trick and stood on the bank, looking sad.
sa’alahu as-samaku limaadhaa anta ḥaziinunThe fish asked him, "Why are you sad?"
qaala samiʿtu anna aṣ-ṣayyaadiina saya’tuuna waya’khudhuuna kulla as-samakiHe said, "I heard that fishermen will come and take all the fish."
khaafa as-samaku waqaala saaʿidnaa yaa ṣadiiqiiThe fish were frightened and said, "Help us, my friend!"
qaala sa’anqulukum waaḥidan baʿda waaḥidin ilaa birkatin ukhraaHe said, "I will carry you one by one to another pond."
kaana ya’khudhu samakatan kulla yawmin waya’kuluhaaEvery day he took a fish and ate it.
fahima as-saraṭaanu al-ḥiilata waqaala khudhnii anaa ayḍanThe crab understood the trick and said, "Take me too."
fii aṭ-ṭariiqi ra’aa as-saraṭaanu ʿiẓaama as-samaki faqaraṣa raqabata al-maaliki al-ḥaziiniOn the way the crab saw the fish bones and pinched the heron's neck.
maata al-maaliku al-ḥaziinu wanajaa as-samakuThe heron died and the fish were saved.