The Tortoise in the Sky

In a certain lake in a forest lived a tortoise who was filled with curiosity about the world. However, being a tortoise, his desire to see beyond the confines of the lake remained unfulfilled. He often boasted to the fish folk, “I am about to embark on a pilgrimage to the holy city of Varanasi. Unlike you fellows, I cannot spend my life gasping in this little lake!”

The Hasty Retreat

But the tortoise would barely reach the palm tree overlooking the lake before the sun set, forcing him to retreat hastily back to the water.

The Tall Tale

Back in the presence of the fish folk, he would boast, “I nearly reached Varanasi! I could see the towers and temples on the horizon. But as darkness fell, I had to rush back. Not that I was afraid of the night, but I thought of you. Who would guard you if I were not there?”

The Swans’ Influence

The tortoise, however, had two good friends in swans. During their flights, the swans visited many beautiful places and shared their experiences with the tortoise. He listened with rapt attention and later recounted these tales to the fish, always omitting the fact that he had received the stories from the swans.

The Drought

One year, the area experienced a drought, causing the water level of the lake to drop. This did not severely affect the fish or the tortoise, but the swans were dismayed. “When the water is low, it looks muddy, and we swans dislike muddy water,” they lamented.

A Proposal for Escape

One of the swans suggested, “We should spend more time in the large lake beyond the town!” The other swan agreed, and at once, the tortoise chimed in, “I too dislike muddy water. Take me with you to the large lake!”

The Dangers Ahead

A Solution

The tortoise laughed, “What seems difficult to you is as simple as water to me. You can hold a stick in your beaks while I hang from the middle, using my mouth to hold on. Isn’t that a clever solution?”

Conditions of Travel

The Journey Begins

The plan was soon set into motion. The swans took flight, carrying the tortoise on the stick. They soared over the forest and flew above the town. Some boys flying kites were the first to spot the flying tortoise. They shouted in astonishment, and soon the entire town gazed upward, exclaiming, “What a strange sight!” Many tried to run alongside the swans, while others raised tall bamboos in a futile attempt to bring down the tortoise.

The Price of Curiosity

As the commotion intensified, the tortoise grew angry and wished to shout, “Shut up!” He opened his mouth to speak, and in that instant, he plummeted down at a terrifying speed. The swans shrieked, but their cries only resulted in the stick dropping as well.

The Tragic End

The tortoise fell to the ground and was instantly killed. A man who discovered the body sold it to the king at a high price, for it was the tortoise that had fallen from the sky!