From the Panchatantra
Once upon a time, in a beautiful lake, there lived a turtle and a pair of swans. The three friends spent their days together, sharing stories, exchanging news, and talking about everything under the sun. The turtle loved talking more than anything else. She always had something to say and rarely stayed quiet for long.
One year, however, the rains failed to come. Day after day, the hot sun beat down on the land, and the lake began to shrink.”What are we going to do?” worried the swans. “If the rains never come, the lake could dry up completely.”The swans swam anxiously in circles while the turtle listened from her floating tree trunk in the lake.
“Perhaps you could fly in search of another lake,” suggested the turtle. “If you find a new home, maybe all three of us could move there.”
“What a wonderful idea!” cried the swans. At once, they spread their magnificent wings and flew off to search for a new lake.
After a long journey, they discovered a perfect place. The lake was large and clear. There was plenty of food, and the surrounding trees offered cool shade and shelter. There was even a small tree trunk in the water. It was exactly what they needed.
The swans flew hurriedly back to share the good news.”We found a wonderful lake,” they said. “But it is very far away. We can fly there easily, but you cannot walk such a long distance. We would be sad to leave you behind.”
The turtle thought for a moment.”Nothing is impossible,” she said confidently. “Give me until tomorrow, and I will think of a solution.”
The next morning, the turtle proudly announced her plan.”If you can find a long, strong stick,” she said, “each of you can hold one end in your beaks. I will bite firmly onto the middle, and you can carry me through the air.”
The first swan frowned. ‘What a ridiculous idea! You might fall.” The second swan shook her head. “And your mouth is always busy talking. How will you keep it closed during the entire journey?”
The turtle lifted her head proudly. “My jaws are strong,” she said. “And when it is important, I can be as silent as a stone.” The swans looked doubtful. “You must not open your mouth while we are flying,” they warned. “Not even for a moment. Do you really think you can stay quiet for that long?”
“Of course I can,” replied the turtle. To prove it, she sat silently while the swans counted to 20. When they finished, she smiled and said, “See. I can do it when it is really important.”
The swans exchanged uncertain glances.”You will be safe only if you keep your mouth shut,” said the first swan. “We’ll go find a suitable stick,” said the second. Soon they returned with a strong, straight branch. Each swan grasped one end with her beak, while the turtle bit firmly onto the middle. Then, together, they rose into the sky.
The turtle had never flown before. It was exciting and frightening at the same time. Far below, the trees looked tiny. Roads looked like thin ribbons, and people looked no bigger than ants. She wanted to tell the swans everything she was seeing, but she remembered her promise and held her tongue.
For a while, all went well. Then they flew over a playground where several children were playing. “Look!” shouted one child, pointing upward. “Look at those clever swans!” cried another. “They found a way to carry a turtle through the sky!” The children laughed and cheered.
“What smart swans!” they shouted. “Good job, swans!” The turtle felt a flash of anger. Smart swans? she thought. This was my idea! Why is nobody praising me? The children continued clapping. “Those swans are amazing!”
The turtle became more and more upset. I must tell them the truth, she thought. They should know whose idea this really was! Without thinking, she opened her mouth and shouted:”It was my ide—”Before she could finish, she lost her grip. Down turtle fell.
Past the clouds. Past the hills.Past the treetops. Down, down, down she tumbled—She and the swans were terrified! SPLASH! By great good fortune, she landed safely in the very lake the swans had found. The swans glided down and landed beside the turtle.
For a moment, turtle sat quietly, dripping wet and thoroughly embarrassed. The swans smiled. “Well,” said one swan, “Welcome to our new home.”
The turtle simply nodded. For once, she had nothing to say.
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…you have to behave properly and reasonably toward every entity of this world. By ‘proper behavior’, I mean where there is neither anger or jealousy, neither attraction nor aversion. – Subhasita Sangraha Part III Vibration, Form and Colour