reading notes: the turtle who couldn't stop talking, part b

For this story, I chose to read The Turtle Who Couldn't Stop Talking. This is another story from the Indian Tales Unit from a book of Jataka Tales by Ellen Babbit.

This story is about a turtle that befriends two geese. They become such good friends that the geese invite him to their living quarters.

They both hold a stick between them and tell the turtle to hold on by his mouth and not to speak a word. 

Once they flew over a village and people began to talk about how outrageous is was that the turtle was in the air, the turtle forgot his only task -- to not talk. He began to talk to defend himself and the fact that he had great friends but, before he knew is, he fell dead to the ground. 

The turtle had to talk, so he lost his life.

(Photo by Flickr.)

I see many connections in this story as I did in, "The Lion in Bad Company." Although the lion was tricked, the two animals do not listen to other more wise than themselves. Both of their mistakes led to the loss of their lives. 

I can use this in a story of my own by changing up the point of views. I think that I may either use the lion story from the point of view of the wolf or use this story and add in more details. 

Both are great options and I feel as though these stories give me lots of room to become creative. This is one thing I really enjoy about shorter stories. I get the main point across and can then add in my own detailing. 



Indian Tales Unit: The Turtle Who Couldn't Stop Talking by Ellen Babbit.