In the heart of a lush, green forest, there was a beautiful pond that sparkled under the golden rays of the sun. This pond was home to two wise and graceful geese and a friendly but talkative turtle.
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The three were the best of friends, spending their days sharing stories, playing near the water, and enjoying the peace of their little paradise.
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However, one fateful summer, the skies betrayed them. The rains did not come, and the scorching sun began to dry up their beloved pond.
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Day by day, the water level fell, and soon, there was barely enough for the geese to drink, let alone for the turtle to survive. The geese, realizing the pond would soon vanish, decided they had no choice but to leave in search of a new home.
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The turtle, devastated by the thought of being left alone, pleaded, "Please take me with you! I cannot survive without my friends. I will die if I stay here alone."
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The geese, though saddened, were also puzzled. "Dear friend, how can we take you with us? We fly through the sky, but you are bound to the land."
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The turtle, being clever, thought for a while and said, "I have an idea! Bring me a strong stick. You both can hold the ends in your beaks, and I will bite the middle tightly.
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That way, when you fly, I can hang on and travel with you!"
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The geese admired their friend’s ingenuity but warned him, "This is a dangerous plan. You must promise to keep your mouth shut no matter what happens. If you open it, you will fall!"
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The turtle nodded eagerly. "I promise! I won’t say a word."
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With that, the geese took hold of the stick in their beaks, and the turtle clamped down in the middle. Flapping their wings, the geese soared into the sky, carrying their dear friend along. The turtle was amazed at the breathtaking view from above—the rivers snaking through the valleys, the thick green forests stretching far and wide, and the tiny houses in distant villages.
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As they flew over a bustling village, the sight of a flying turtle startled the villagers. Children playing in the fields pointed at the sky, laughing and shouting in wonder. "Look! A flying turtle! How funny!" one called out. "That’s the strangest thing I’ve ever seen!" another giggled.
Hearing their laughter, the turtle grew agitated. He was not a joke! He wanted to tell them how brilliant his idea was and how he had outsmarted nature itself. Unable to resist, he opened his mouth to speak.
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But before he could finish his sentence, he lost his grip on the stick. In an instant, he tumbled down, down, down... and CRASH! He hit the ground with a loud thud. The geese, heartbroken, could only watch as their dear friend had sealed his own fate.
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The villagers gathered around the poor turtle, shaking their heads in pity. "He was wise enough to think of a way to fly," one said. "But he was not wise enough to stay silent."
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Moral: Knowing when to speak and when to stay silent is just as important as wisdom itself.