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