A Tortoise
and two Geese shared a pond for many years and became close friends. At last,
there came a drought and the pond dried up.
One of the
Geese said to the other, “We must seek a new home quickly, for we cannot live
without water. Let us say farewell to the Tortoise and start at once.” When the
Tortoise heard that they were going, he trembled with fear and pleaded with
them not to desert him.
The Geese
replied, “If we stay here, all three of us will die, and we cannot take you
with us, for you cannot fly.”
Still, the
Tortoise begged not to be left behind. After thinking for a while, one of the
Geese finally said, “Dear friend, if you promise not to speak a word on the
journey, we will take you with us. But know beforehand, that if you even open
your mouth to say one single word, you will be in instant danger of losing your
life.”
“Have no
fear,” replied the Tortoise, “I will be silent until you give me leave to speak
again. I would rather never open my mouth again than be left to die alone here
in the dried-up pond.”
So the Geese
brought a stout stick and asked the Tortoise grasp it firmly with his mouth.
Then they took hold of either end and flew off with him. They had gone several
miles in safety when their course lay over a village. As the country people saw
this curious sight of a Tortoise being carried by two Geese, they began to
laugh and cry out, “Oh, did you ever see such a funny sight in all your life!”
Out of
anger, the tortoise opened his mouth to explain the situation. But before he
could say anything, he had fallen to the ground and died.
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