How the Tortoise Got Cracks on His Shell

There used to be a famine in the animal kingdom. With the exception of the birds, every animal in the kingdom appeared extremely thin and famished.

Upon noticing this, the tortoise decided to ask the birds where they obtained their food.

The birds declined, stating that they would not reveal anything because of the tortoise’s slyness.

The tortoise persisted in pleading and vowed not to deceive. Then the birds consented to tell him.

They informed him that anyone who could make it to the upper reaches of the sky would be treated to a feast.

The tortoise

After giving it some thought, the tortoise concluded that his lack of wings would prevent him from reaching the heavens. But then he had a thought: “If only each of you would lend me a feather to attach to my body… which would function as a wing.”

In agreement, the birds gave him a feather to affix to his body to create wings.

The birds asked him to choose a ceremonial name before they left, one that would be used to address him once he reached the sky.

They left for the feast after the tortoise gave it some thought and declared that he should be called “Everyone of you.”

The host of heaven greeted them upon their arrival and escorted them to the table where a feast was being prepared. The host declared, “This food is for all of you,” and then departed.

The Tortoise then came forward to tell them that the food was exclusively his, as his ceremonial name was “Everyone of you.”

Then he proceeded to finish the meal. His smooth shell gleamed when he was finished.

He had no wings because the birds were so furious with him that they all decided to remove their feathers.

However, the tortoise begged one of the birds to deliver a message to his house. “Tell my wife to get the pillows, beds, and softest things out of my house and place them outside under the sky so that I can land comfortably when I leap down.”

The bird accepted the message, but he altered it after he arrived at the tortoise’s home. He said, “Your spouse has told you to bring out the hard and powerful things in the home outside.”

The Tortoise was reassured that he would be able to land safely when he noticed his wife gathering supplies.

He jumped out of the sky and slammed into the hard materials when she was done. His sleek exterior broke into several fragments.

To put his shell together, the nation’s top healer was required. As a result, the tortoise’s fractured shell serves as a constant reminder of the price of his greed.