The Greedy Tortoise and His Broken Shell

Once upon a time, in the heart of the animal kingdom, a devastating famine gripped the land. The rivers dried up, the fields withered, and all the animals grew frail and malnourished. Yet amidst the despair, one peculiar observation caught everyone’s attention: the birds, unlike the others, were thriving, their feathers glistening and their bellies full.

Whispers spread like wildfire as the starving animals tried to uncover the birds' secret, but the birds, tight-lipped, refused to divulge the source of their nourishment. Among the curious was Kado, the sly and cunning tortoise. Known for his wits and trickery, Kado decided he would uncover the truth, no matter what it took.

Kado cornered a group of birds near his burrow, his voice dripping with feigned sincerity. "Dear feathered friends," he began, "I admire your resilience during these trying times. If you share your secret with me, I promise to never reveal it to anyone else. I’ll even offer you one of my burrows as a token of gratitude."

The birds, wary of Kado's reputation, hesitated. But his persistent pleading and seemingly genuine tone softened their resolve. Finally, they revealed the truth: high above the skies, in the heavenly realm, a grand feast was being held daily, open to anyone who could reach it.

Kado's heart raced with excitement, but a problem immediately presented itself—he couldn’t fly. "What if each of you lent me a feather?" he proposed. "I could fashion wings for myself and join you in the skies."

After some deliberation, the birds agreed, each plucking a feather to help Kado. Soon, he had a patchwork of feathers that formed makeshift wings. Before they departed, the birds reminded him to pick a nickname for the feast, as was customary in the heavens.

Kado thought for a moment and declared, “Call me All of You.” The birds chuckled at his odd choice, unaware of his true intentions.

The group soared to the heavens, where they were greeted warmly by the celestial hosts. The tables were laden with every imaginable delicacy. Before leaving, the host gestured toward the feast and announced, "This food is for all of you."

Seizing the opportunity, Kado stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Remember," he declared smugly, "my name is All of You. So, by the host’s decree, this food is mine alone."

To the birds’ horror, Kado devoured every morsel, leaving them with nothing but bitter resentment. His shell gleamed with satisfaction, but his greed would soon cost him dearly.

Enraged, the birds reclaimed their feathers, leaving Kado stranded in the heavens. Desperate, he pleaded with one bird to deliver a message to his family. "Tell them to lay out the softest pillows and bedding for my landing," he begged.

But the bird, seeking justice, altered the message. "Your father says to bring out the hardest, sturdiest materials," the bird relayed to Kado's children.

Unaware of the trick, Kado jumped from the heavens, confident of a soft landing. Instead, he crashed into a pile of stones and sticks, shattering his smooth shell into countless pieces.

It took the kingdom’s best healer days to mend Kado’s shell, but the scars of his greed remained etched forever. From that day forward, Kado’s cracked shell served as a reminder of the consequences of deceit and selfishness, a story told and retold across the animal kingdom.

And so, the once-proud tortoise became a symbol of caution, his broken shell a testament to the price of greed.