The Talkative Turtle: A Lesson on Knowing When to Stay Silent

Once upon a time in ancient India, a wise old turtle lived in a calm, serene pond. He was friendly and enjoyed chatting with everyone—fish, birds, and even passing animals. Two geese, who often visited the pond, became his close companions. They would talk for hours about life, nature, and the world beyond.

A Growing Threat of Drought

One summer, the rains failed, and the pond began to dry up. The geese grew concerned. “Friend Turtle,” one goose said, “if we don’t leave soon, you won’t survive. Let us help you fly to a larger lake we know.”

The turtle was touched but puzzled. “How can I fly? I don’t have wings like you.”

The Flying Plan—and One Important Rule

The geese had an idea. They would carry the turtle using a stick. “We’ll each hold one end of the stick in our beaks,” they explained. “You must bite the middle and hold on tight. But there’s one rule—you must not speak during the flight. If you open your mouth, you’ll fall.”

The turtle agreed and clamped his mouth onto the stick. Soon, they were soaring through the sky. People below saw the strange sight and pointed up, laughing and shouting in surprise.

The Turtle’s Pride—and His Fall

Hearing the commotion, the turtle’s ego swelled. He wanted to say something clever in response to the crowd below. But the moment he opened his mouth—he let go of the stick and plummeted to the ground.
The fall was fatal.

The Moral of the Story

Sometimes, staying silent is the smartest thing you can do. The turtle’s need to talk cost him his life. This timeless Indian folktale reminds us that words are powerful—and knowing when not to speak can be the key to survival.