Once upon a time, there was a tortoise living in a pond. Two swans frequented the same pond, known for their cheerful and sociable nature. Friendship blossomed between the swans and the tortoise. The swans found the tortoise's slow gait and gentle nature endearing. Being knowledgeable, the swans shared fascinating stories and tales of sages with the tortoise, recounting their travels and adventures far and wide. The tortoise listened, captivated. All was well, but the tortoise had a bad habit: he would interrupt the swans mid-sentence. Despite their amiable nature, the swans did not mind this endearing quirk. Their close friendship deepened over time.
Time passed. One day, a severe drought struck. Not a single drop of rain fell, even during the rainy season. The pond began to dry up, and the creatures living there started to perish. Fish gasped and died. The pond rapidly shrank, leaving only mud. The tortoise found himself in grave danger; survival was now a major concern. The swans, concerned about their friend, began devising a plan to save him from the impending disaster. They consoled and encouraged him to keep his spirits up.
The swans did not offer empty promises.
The swans didn't just offer empty reassurances. They flew far and wide, searching for a solution. One day, they returned with news, "Friend, fifty miles away, there's a lake with plenty of water. You will be safe there." The tortoise, in a distressed voice, replied, "Fifty miles? It will take me months to reach that far. By then, I would be dead." The swans recognized the validity of his point. They conceived a plan. They brought a log, saying, "Friend, we will hold one end of this log with our beaks and fly. You grip the middle with your mouth. In this way, we will carry you to the lake. But remember, don't open your mouth during the flight; otherwise, you will fall."
The tortoise agreed. The swans took hold of the log and soared into the sky, carrying the tortoise. They were flying over a town, and the onlookers below marvelled at the extraordinary sight. People gazed in wonder at the spectacle above. The tortoise looked down at the crowds, and, forgetting the swans' warning, he cried out, "Look, how many people are watching us!" The instant his mouth opened, he plummeted to the ground, his fate unknown.
A Lesson Learned from the Story
This story teaches us that interrupting inopportunely can have dire consequences.
