The Crane and the Heron

Once upon a time, there lived a crane and a heron. They built their huts at opposite ends of a swamp. The crane grew bored of living alone and decided to get married.
"Let me go and propose to the heron!"

So the crane went—splash, splash! He trudged seven miles through the swamp, arrived, and said:
"Is the heron home?"
"I am."
"Marry me."
"No, crane, I won't marry you. Your legs are too long, your dress is too short, and you can't provide for a wife. Go away, you lanky thing!"

The crane, feeling as though he'd eaten unsalted soup, went back home. But after some thought, the heron changed her mind and said:
"Instead of living alone, I'd rather marry the crane."
She went to the crane and said:
"Crane, marry me!"
"No, heron, I don't want you! I don't want to get married, and I won't marry you. Go away!"
The heron cried from shame and returned home.

Then the crane thought it over and said:
"It was foolish of me not to marry the heron; after all, it's boring to live alone. I'll go and marry her now."
He went and said:
"Heron, I've decided to marry you; come, be my wife."
"No, you lanky thing, I won't marry you!"

The crane went back home. Then the heron reconsidered:
"Why did I refuse such a fine fellow? It's no fun living alone; I'd better marry the crane!"

She went to propose, but the crane refused. And so, to this day, they keep going to each other to propose, but they never get married.

More fairy tales

• The Bear and the Dog
• Marya Morevna
• The Clay Boy
• The Tale of the Rejuvenating Apples and the Living Water
• The Fox and the Crab