A clam swam to the bank and opened its shell to bask in the sun. A snipe flew by, spotted the clam's exposed flesh, and swooped down to peck at it. Before the snipe could withdraw its beak, the clam, feeling a sharp pain, snapped its shell shut, trapping the bird's beak tightly.
The snipe struggled violently to free itself but to no avail. It then said angrily, "Listen, clam! If it doesn't rain today or tomorrow, you'll die of thirst here on the bank. Now, let me go!"
The clam retorted with equal anger, "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 a stalemate, neither was willing to yield. Just then, an old fisherman happened by. He easily picked up both the snipe and the clam and took them home for his dinner.