Why the Tortoise has Patched Shell

Once upon a time in the Animal Kingdom, the majestic king of the skies decided to host a grand party in the celestial realm for all the birds. An elegant invitation was sent out to the esteemed Association of Birds, led by the noble Eagle, who joyfully shared the news with his fellow members. Excitement rippled through the entire kingdom as word spread that the feathered creatures were to attend a magnificent party in the skies.

Even the slow and steady Tortoise became intrigued and expressed his desire to join in the festivities. He and the Eagle had been friends for many years, so he devised a clever plan to seek the Eagle's advice. Upon approaching his avian friend, the Tortoise confided his intentions to attend the King's celestial soiree. The Eagle couldn't help but chuckle at the thought and asked the Tortoise how he intended to get there, knowing full well that Tortoise couldn't fly.

Undeterred, the Tortoise shared his ingenious idea with the Eagle. He proposed that if each flying bird could contribute a single feather, he would fashion wings and fly alongside them. The Eagle, recognizing the sincerity and determination in his friend, decided to present the Tortoise's proposal to the members of the bird association.

At the meeting, the Eagle relayed the Tortoise's intentions and his unique plan. The compassionate birds were touched by the Tortoise's ambition and readily agreed to help him achieve his dream. One by one, they plucked a feather and entrusted them to the Tortoise.

On the appointed day of the grand event, the Tortoise had painstakingly crafted wings using the feathers generously given to him by the birds. With his newfound wings attached to his hands and shell, he looked upon the feathered company, brimming with gratitude and excitement. The birds, impressed by the Tortoise's commitment, decided to give him a bit of training through a test flight. To their delight, he proved himself capable, and they warmly welcomed him into their midst, affectionately referring to him as "All of You" – a symbolic reminder of their unity.

With the noble Eagle at the forefront, the birds embarked on their airborne journey to the sky party, accompanied by their newfound friend, the Tortoise. The King of the skies, pleased to see both the birds and the Tortoise, ordered a sumptuous feast to be laid out in their honor.

As the delicious aroma filled the air, the King declared that the feast belonged to "All of You." However, as the birds prepared to partake, the cunning Tortoise interjected, claiming the feast for himself, reasoning that the King had said it belonged to "All of You," including him. The birds, trusting their new friend's words, yielded to his assertion and allowed him to feast alone.

When the King returned and saw the situation, he was outraged by the Tortoise's deception and greed. He ordered all the birds to reclaim their feathers, stripping the Tortoise of his means to fly. With a heavy heart, the King decreed that the Tortoise be cast down from the sky party to the ground.

As the feathers were plucked, the Tortoise plummeted earthward. Upon impact, his once magnificent shell shattered into several pieces. Other sympathetic animals witnessed his fall and came to his aid. They carefully pieced together his broken shell using a tree gum adhesive, leaving it with small patches – a visible reminder of his past greed and deceit.

News of the Tortoise's actions spread like wildfire, and the animals were deeply disappointed by his lack of integrity. The Eagle, heartbroken by the betrayal, severed ties with his old friend, and the other creatures kept their distance as well. Over time, the Tortoise recovered physically, but the patched shell served as a permanent reminder of the consequences of his greed and dishonesty.

And so, in the annals of the Animal Kingdom, the tale of the Tortoise with the patched shell remains a poignant lesson for all about the perils of deceit and the beauty of integrity.Start writing...