Source: www.gutenberg.org

The Tortoise and The Ducks

By Aesop

The Tortoise, you know, carries his house on his back. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot leave home. They say that Jupiter punished him so, because he was such a lazy stay-at-home that he would not go to Jupiter’s wedding, even when especially invited.

After many years, Tortoise began to wish he had gone to that wedding. When he saw how gaily the birds flew about and how the Hare and the Chipmunk and all the other animals ran nimbly by, always eager to see everything there was to be seen, the Tortoise felt very sad and discontented. He wanted to see the world too, and there he was with a house on his back and little short legs that could hardly drag him along.

One day he met a pair of Ducks and told them all his trouble.

“We can help you to see the world,” said the Ducks. “Take hold of this stick with your teeth and we will carry you far up in the air where you can see the whole countryside. But keep quiet or you will be sorry.”

The Tortoise was very glad indeed. He seized the stick firmly with his teeth, the two Ducks took hold of it one at each end, and away they sailed up toward the clouds.

Just then a Crow flew by. He was very much astonished at the strange sight and cried:

“This must surely be the King of Tortoises!”

“Why certainly——” began the Tortoise.

But as he opened his mouth to say these foolish words he lost his hold on the stick, and down he fell to the ground, where he was dashed to pieces on a rock.

Foolish curiosity and vanity often lead to misfortune.

Moral of the Story

The story of “The Tortoise and The Ducks” teaches us a few important lessons, perfect for children to understand:

Be Careful What You Wish For: The Tortoise wanted something very different from what he could safely do. He wanted to see the world like the birds, but tortoises aren’t made to fly. It’s good to have dreams, but we also need to think about what’s really safe and right for us.

Listen to Advice: The Ducks warned the Tortoise to keep quiet while they were flying. It’s important to listen to advice especially when trying something new or dangerous.

Don’t Let Pride Get in the Way: The Tortoise felt proud when the Crow called him the “King of Tortoises” and wanted to respond. Sometimes, feeling too proud can make us forget important things—like keeping our mouth shut when hanging from a stick in the air!

In simpler terms, the story tells us that sometimes, trying to be something we’re not or ignoring good advice because we want to feel important can lead to trouble. It’s okay to be who we are and to think carefully before we jump into something new.

— THE END –

Very Short Fairy Tales PDF