The Tortoise and Geese full story is a Panchatantra story which has been passed down for generations. The Panchatantra is an ancient Indian collection of animal fables written in Sanskrit. The fables are interwoven and depict anthropomorphised animals with the vices and virtues of humans. It is one of India’s most translated literary products and has been translated into over 50 languages worldwide. The author of the text is unknown, but it is widely credited to Vishnu Sharma and Vasubhaga. However, it is possible that these are fictitious pen names. These stories are usually accompanied by some form of moral or value. This is the reason that they are popular nursery stories as they help teach young minds the importance of living a morally rich and right life. Continue to read The Tortoise and Geese story in English to teach your child an important life lesson that they must carry on with them. Moral stories are often open to interpretation and can be perceived in many ways! Tell us what you think of it.
Origin And History Of Panchatantra Tortoise And Geese Story
The story of the Tortoise and Geese comes from the series of Panchatantra. The work that survives today dates back to 200 BCE, but it is likely that the actual origin of the series is much older. The stories and fables are interrelated, and each story has some takeaway or moral that we can learn from. Before being written, it is possible that the stories were passed down orally for generations. The stories have been translated into many languages, and each culture has made the stories their own. Many scholars believe the tales were based on earlier oral folk traditions, which were finally written down.
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Story Type of The Tortoise And The Geese
The Tortoise and Geese short story is a Panchatantra Tale that has been told for generations to teach children the important morals and values of life.
Story Characters
- Two Geese
- Tortoise
- Children
- Villagers
The Story Of The Tortoise And The Geese
Once upon a time, there lived a tortoise and two geese. They lived near a lake in a beautiful valley. For many years, they lived there harmoniously and became close friends. However, one season, the valley was struck by a devastating drought, and the pond started to dry.
The animals and the plants near the lake started to die due to dehydration, and soon the animals started to look for new places to live.
“The lake will dry up soon, and the valley will no longer be habitable. We must look for a new home quickly”, said one of the Geese.
The two Geese flew around looking for a new house. Soon enough, they found another lake which was extremely beautiful and was situated in a remote forest. The surroundings of the lake were perfect for them to live in.
They returned to the old lake and told the Tortoise about the beautiful lake. The Tortoise was instantly excited that the Geese had found a new home but became sad as he realised that he may never be able to travel the distance or survive the drought.
“I can’t fly like you. I don’t know what I will do. It is too far for me, and I won’t be able to survive the drought either.”
The Geese understood his concerns and said, “Don’t worry my friends, we have thought of an idea to transport you to the new place. But, for that, you need to promise us that you will not open your mouth, even by accident, during the entire journey. If you do so, you will endanger your life and may even lose it.”
“Don’t worry friends!” replied the Tortoise, “I will be silent and not utter a word until you tell me that it is safe to speak again. I would rather never open my mouth again than be left to die here alone in the dried-up pond.”
The Geese brought a stout stick and asked the Tortoise to grasp it firmly using his mouth. They then took hold of the two ends of the stick and flew off with him. They travelled several miles safely, and the Tortoise got to experience a bird’s point of view of the forest, hills and grasslands. The course to the new lake laid over a village. As the villagers saw this incredible sight of a Tortoise being carried by two Geese, they began to laugh and cry out. The children followed them and started shouting, “Oh, look at the hilarious sight of a tortoise clinging to a stick and being carried by two Geese!”
The Tortoise felt insulted and could not stand the teasing any longer. He opened his mouth to explain the situation to the children, but before he could say anything, he fell to the ground and was dashed to pieces. The two Geese could not do anything to help their friend. They grieved their friend’s tragedy and flew to their new home.
Story Summary
Summary Of Panchatantra Tortoise and Geese story:
Once upon a time, there lived a tortoise and two geese. They lived near a lake in a beautiful valley. Over the years, they grew close and were good friends. However, the lake was hit by a drought, and the lake started drying up. The animals soon started looking for a new home. The geese decided to look for a new home and flew off. Soon, they found another lake which was situated in a remote forest. The lake’s environment was perfect for them to live in.
They returned to the old lake and told the Tortoise about the beautiful lake. The tortoise got excited that the geese had found a new home for them. However, he soon got sad as he realised that he may never be able to travel the distance or survive the drought. He told the geese that he would not be able to travel the distance, nor would he be able to survive the drought.
The geese told him that they had thought of an idea to transport the tortoise to the new lake. However, they warned him that he must not open his mouth during the journey as his life depended on it. The tortoise promised them that he would do anything to get out of the drying lake.
The geese brought a stick and told the tortoise to grasp it firmly using his mouth. The geese then took hold of the two ends of the stick and flew off with him.
They travelled many several miles safely. The route to the new lake went from over a village. The villagers couldn’t believe what they were seeing. The children followed them and started shouting insults at the tortoise.
The tortoise felt insulted and could not stand the teasing any longer. He opened his mouth to explain the situation to the children, but before he could say anything, he fell to the ground and died. The two geese could not do anything to help their friend. They grieved their friend’s tragedy and flew to their new home.
Moral Of The Story
The moral of the story is ‘Silence is the fence around wisdom’. It implies that wisdom must be contained by remaining silent in situations where it is favourable. As we saw in the story, the Tortoise lost his life because he chose to open his mouth to tell the children what was going on. Had he been wise, he would have kept his mouth shut and avoided falling to his death.
How Can Children Apply The Moral Of The Story In Their Real Life?
Children can be taught to pick and choose their battles. We all get angry; we all feel like letting the other person have a piece of our mind. However, we must teach children that sometimes silence is the best answer to any fight, and it is wise to choose and pick your battles. Not every battle is meant to be fought with words; wisdom goes a long way.
Also Read:
Moral Story of The Tiger And The Woodpecker for Kids
The Musical Donkey Story with Moral for Children
Panchatantra Story Of The Loyal Mongoose for Kids with Moral
