The Wily Tortoise

In a green jungle, a fowler caught a wild goose. He carried the worried goose home beside a quiet pond.

Beside the pond, the fowler stopped to rest. A curious tortoise surfaced and waddled toward the pair.

Seeing danger, the goose called, “Stay back, friend!” The tortoise stopped and turned toward the water.

Because the goose warned him, the tortoise wanted to help. He dove to the ruby-lined pond bed and returned holding a bright ruby.

“Take this ruby, and free my friend,” said the tortoise. The fowler took it, but he wanted another.

“Bring its matching ruby, then the goose goes free,” he said. The tortoise replied, “One kind turn deserves another.”

So the tortoise dove again for the goose. Soon he surfaced with a second shining ruby.

The fowler released the goose beside the shining pond. Then he reached for the tortoise’s second ruby.

To protect both rubies, the tortoise thought quickly. “Please show me the first ruby, so I can compare them.”

Wanting a perfect pair, the fowler returned the first ruby. Holding both, the tortoise said, “One kind turn deserves another.”

With both rubies safe, the tortoise dove into his deep pond. He tucked them beneath a smooth stone and stayed hidden.

When the fowler had gone, the tortoise surfaced beside the resting goose. The two friends watched the quiet evening sky. Kindness and clever thinking can protect a friend.