The Talkative Tortoise by Joseph Jacobs
In a kingdom ruled by a talkative king, a wise adviser seeks to address the king's incessant chatter. Nearby, a tortoise befriends two wild ducks who invite him to their beautiful home in the Himalayas. They agree to carry him, but the tortoise must remain silent during the journey. As they fly, villagers notice the unusual sight and the tortoise, unable to resist the urge to speak, attempts to comment on his situation. In doing so, he releases his grip on the stick and falls to the ground, resulting in his demise. The king, witnessing the tortoise's tragic end, inquires about the incident. The adviser explains that the tortoise's downfall was due to his inability to control his speech, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive talking. He emphasizes that those who speak without restraint often face dire consequences. The king recognizes the lesson and vows to speak less, becoming more mindful of his words. The story illustrates the value of silence and the perils of being overly talkative.
By Joseph Jacobs · First published 1898 · Genre: Fable, Parable, Children's Literature · 724 words
First lines
The future Buddha was once born in a minister's family, when Brahma-datta was reigning in Benares; and when he grew up, he became the king's adviser in things temporal and spiritual.
Now this king was very talkative; while he was speaking, others had no opportunity for a word. And the future Buddha, wanting to cure this talkativeness of his, was constantly seeking for some means of doing so.
What this Textopian page supports
The Talkative Tortoise is listed on Textopian as a fable by Joseph Jacobs, dated 1898 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Joseph Jacobs
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Parable, Children's Literature, Mythology, Adventure
- Length: 724 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Talkative Tortoise by Joseph Jacobs
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Similar titles
- The Fox And The Crow by Parker Fillmore
- The Cat That Walked By Himself by Rudyard Kipling
- The Lion And The Crane by Joseph Jacobs
- The Pigeon And The Crow by Joseph Jacobs
- How The Leopard Got His Spots by Rudyard Kipling
- The Giant Tortoises Golden Rule by Horacio Quiroga
Genres
- Fable — The story conveys a moral lesson through anthropomorphized animals, typical of fables.
- Parable — It illustrates a spiritual or ethical lesson, particularly about the dangers of excessive talking.
- Children's Literature — The simple narrative and moral make it suitable for a young audience.
- Mythology — It features elements of Buddhist mythology, including the future Buddha and moral teachings.
Tags
Fable · Tortoise · Slow and Steady · Hare · Rabbit · Competition · Speed · Wisdom · Patience · Humility · Pride · Arrogance