The Turtle and the Geese – An Indian Tale from the Panchatantra

Description: This story from the Indian Panchatantra tells of a turtle who, because of her talkativeness and inability to follow instructions, ends up in trouble. It teaches children the importance of self-control and thoughtful actions.

In a beautiful forest, near a large lake, lived a wise but somewhat talkative turtle. She loved her lake but often complained about boredom and loneliness. She had two friends – geese, who often came to the water to chat with her.

One day, the turtle noticed that the water level in the lake was decreasing due to a drought. Worried, she said, “What will I do if the water completely dries up? I can’t travel far because I’m so slow,” she told her friends.

The geese thought for a while and came up with a solution: “We can carry you to another lake. But for that, you must hold a stick in your mouth while we carry it on either side with our beaks. The most important rule is: do not open your mouth, or you’ll fall.”

The turtle agreed: “Of course, I can do it! I’m so grateful for your help.”

The next day, the geese brought a strong stick. The turtle bit down tightly on it, and the geese flew up into the air, holding the stick on either side. The turtle had never flown before, and while the height frightened her, she was also amazed.

People on the ground saw this unusual sight. “Look, the geese are carrying a turtle! How funny,” they laughed.

The turtle heard their words and wanted to reply. She opened her mouth to argue, forgetting that she was holding the stick. At that moment, she let go and quickly fell to the ground.

Fortunately, the turtle survived but was badly hurt and realized her mistake. “Oh, if only I had kept quiet! My desire to speak almost cost me my life,” she thought.

From then on, the turtle became more cautious with her words and actions. The geese returned to check on their friend and ensure she was safe.

Moral: The ability to stay silent and think before speaking can prevent many troubles. Listen to your friends’ advice and be mindful of your words.

Questions for Kids:

• Why did the geese ask the turtle not to open her mouth?
• What happened when the turtle didn’t listen?
• What lesson can we learn from this story?