A clam swam to the riverbank and opened its shell to bask in the sun.
A snipe flew by and, spotting what looked like a piece of red meat on the ground, swooped down and pecked at the clam. Before the snipe could withdraw its beak, the clam, feeling a sharp pain, snapped its shell shut, gripping the beak tightly. The snipe shook its head violently, trying to free itself, but the clam held fast.
"Listen here, clam!" the snipe said angrily. "If it doesn't rain today or tomorrow, you'll die of thirst right here on the bank. Now, let me go!"
The clam was equally furious. "You listen! If I don't let you go today or tomorrow, you'll die of hunger. Do you still dare to eat me?"
Locked in combat and quarreling, neither was willing to yield. Just then, an old fisherman came along. He picked up both the snipe and the clam and took them home for his dinner.