The Tortoise, as you know, carries his house on his back. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot leave it anywhere. They say that Jupiter, the chief Roman god punished the Tortoise. For he was such a lazy stay-at-home guy that he would not even go to Jupiter's wedding, even when he especially invited.
After many years, Tortoise began to wish he had gone to Jupiter's wedding. When he saw how cheerful and attractive his friends looked, he saw that the birds could fly about. And how the Hare and the Chipmunk and all the other animals ran nimbly. Always eager to see everything there was to be seen in the world. The Tortoise felt very sad and discontented. He also wanted to see the world, and there he was with his house on his back and such little short legs that could hardly drag him along.
One day he met a pair of Ducks, and he told them all his troubles.
"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 fall."
The Tortoise was happy, indeed. The Tortoise held the stick firmly with his teeth, and 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!"
"Yes, I am —" said the Tortoise.
As soon as he opened his mouth to say these words, he lost hold of the sick, so the Tortoise started to fall. The Tortoise hit a rock as he hit the ground and shattered his shell to pieces.
Moral: Foolish curiosity and vanity often lead to misfortune.
Stories Retold:- Original Source:- The Aesop Fables
