The Turtle Who Talked Much

This story you have reach many times, but read it with a new surprising end. Read and enjoy :

The turtle first narrated a story and then sang a song, and then he started to tell how badly he had defeated the rabbit in a race. His friends surrounded him and listened to his interesting talk. His friends included the mouse, the squirrel and many birds. Many fishes too were his friends, who could not come out of water, so he sat beside the pond. Hardly had he finished his anecdote than he began to tell about his friends who came from a far-off place each year. "The cranes come from very far, and how stunning they are in their white feathers. They take to wings in a most graceful manner."

He told how they enjoyed together last year. And then he was about to tell about a colourful fish that he had sighted in the pond last night, when a pair of cranes softly landed near them. "Remember the devil and he is here," said the turtle welcoming his friends. "I was just talking about you. Welcome, my friends! How are you both?"

"We are fine and you too seem well, but I don’t think everything is so good around here," said a crane with a brown splash on his wings.

"I can see that the pond has not much water in it and the trees are not so green this year," said the other crane with silvery white feathers.

"You are right, it did not rain last year and we are still waiting for rain this year," said the turtle.

"I don’t think this pond can survive this summer, it will be a tough time for you," said the first crane.

"I know life is uncertain here," said the turtle a little sadly.

"I think we should do something for you," said the second crane.

The cranes found out a fine idea. They decided that they would fly the turtle to another pond with a plenty of water; they would hold a stick at either end and the turtle would catch it at the middle.

"The idea is really good," cried the turtle in joy.

"But there is a massive problem," said the first crane.

"What is that?" the turtle was confused.

"You talk so much, you cannot hold your tongue even for a moment," said the first crane.

"I promise I will hold the stick tight and will not open the mouth what come may," affirmed the turtle.

Soon the trio was in the air. The cranes flapped their large wings and glided high into the air, while the turtle rotated his round eyes all around to see what clouds and sky looked like from nearby. He looked down at the trees and fields, ponds and huts. It was such a wonderful sight. He thanked his friends that he was able to fly due to them.

A group of children were playing in the ground. One of them sighted the unusual sight in the air, and now all children were running after the cranes and the turtle.

"The turtle is sure to fall down!" cried one child.

'I will hold tight and will not open the mouth,' the turtle said to himself.

"Let us stone to bring him down!" shouted another.

The turtle did not like this and grew angry. He wanted to retort, and so he opened his mouth to say – O stupid boys! But then he could not utter his words, for no sooner did he open his mouth than he began to fall down like a missile – faster than he could imagine. He could see the earth coming near – nearer. In fright, he closed his eyes tight. He knew there was no chance of survival. But luck was with him. He fell on a heap of grains that had been harvested recently. It was like a cushion.

The cranes came down, scolded the turtle harshly and then flew away with him again. The turtle had learnt a lesson of a lifetime.