The Talkative Tortoise
Once upon a time there was a Tortoise lived in a pond with two Geese, who were her very good friends. She enjoyed the company of the Geese, because she could talk with them to her heart's content; the Tortoise liked to talk.
After many years of this pleasant living, the pond became very low, in a dry season; and finally it dried up. They said there is no help for it. If we stay here, we shall all three die, and we cannot take you with us, for you cannot fly. Still the Tortoise begged so hard not to be left behind that they finally said, "Dear Friend, if you will promise not to speak a word on the journey, we will take you with us. But know beforehand, that if you open your mouth to say one single word, you will be in instant danger of losing your life." We will each take hold of one end of a stout stick, and do you take the middle in your mouth; then we will fly up in the air with you and carry you with us. But remember not to talk! If you open your mouth, you are lost."
The tortoise understood the logic and promised not to open his mouth during the entire journey. So they held the stick ends in their beaks and the tortoise held the stick in the middle with his teeth and thus, they began their long journey. They flew over hills, valleys, forests and finally came over a village.
They were flying over the village and down children are playing in the field. The children began shouting and clapping to see this. The foolish tortoise forgot that he was hanging insecurely. He became so interested to know the reason behind these clapping. At last he lost his temper and he opened his mouth to ask his friends-“Friends, what is this all about?” But as soon as he opened his, mouth to utter these words, he loosened his hold on the stick and fell down on the ground and died instantaneously.
