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.
Moral: Foolish
curiosity and vanity often lead to misfortune.
-
- - - - - - -
From
the book ÆSOP FOR CHILDREN
The book will raise funds for CECILY’S
FUND, a charity educating and supporting Zambian children orphaned by aids.
