Rule of Three - a Fable

Once upon a time a land crab called 'Cludo' wanted to go on an adventurous holiday over the mountains to the coast. Being wise he knew he could not make it on his own. "I need to get two other types of animals to cover the things that I cannot do myself", he said. "I can defend us from attack and cut up any food we catch with my claws." "I have good eyesight, can climb and clamber over rough ground and I can carry a heavy backpack or tow a cart." Cludo thought for a while to decide who and what was needed. A bird would be good to scout ahead, but could fly off. A snake would be good for protection, but crabs are scared of snakes A horse could carry all and sundry, but those hooves can crush crabs Cludo decided to exclude all big animals and go for small petite ones instead. What was left was mouse, toad, lizard, rat, beetle, chicken, dog, cat, pig, lamb and calf. His first choice was a mouse, which was eager, reliable, had many skills and stamina. His second choice was a lizard with claws that could simmer up trees to scout ahead. So, the crab the lizard and the mouse set off on their journey. The crab carried their luggage and the shell was used as a table for meals. The mouse scurried about sniffing for food with its fine sense of smell. The mouse carried a flag on its tail to keep all three together as a group. The lizard was the scout, climbing trees and rocks to make sure of the path. The lizard flicked its tongue in and out to sense danger before any one could see it. The moral of the story is that good things come in threes For the rule of three, says that things in threes, are perfect (Latin-"omne trium perfectum") Three Little Pigs, Three Billy Goats, Three Musketeers, Three Bears And now The Three Trekking Travelers - The Crab, The Mouse and The Lizard.