Near a lake in the forest, there were two cranes and a tortoise living there. They grew to be close friends. Tortoises used to hear about a beautiful waterfall nearby from cranes flying around. The story the cranes told the tortoise captivated him, and he had a constant desire to visit the location.
The Plan:
One day, the tortoise asked the cranes, “I want to go to the waterfall. Can you include me in your plans?” The cranes were surprised and asked, “But how are you going to join us? Our backs are so tiny; you might tumble if you slip.” After some thought, the tortoise came up with a plan. He requested a sturdy stick from the cranes so that he could hold onto it with his jaw, while the cranes carried him on either side.
The Warning:
Before they began their journey, the cranes warned the tortoise to be cautious and advised him to avoid speaking up in the air as it could lead to a fall. The tortoise agreed, and they began to fly towards the waterfall.
The Pride:
After circling for a while, the tortoise began to feel proud of himself for coming up with such a clever plan. “I must be quite intelligent,” he thought to himself. As they were flying, a passing crane noticed the unusual sight and commented to the cranes, “It’s quite kind of you to carry a tortoise on a stick like that. Great thought!”
The Fall:
However, the tortoise suddenly felt a sense of injustice. He believed that the cranes were getting all the credit for his brilliant idea, which didn’t seem fair to him. He wanted to make it clear that it was his concept. So, forgetting what the cranes had warned him about, the tortoise opened his mouth and started to say, “It was…” but he could not finish his sentence. As soon as he opened his mouth, his jaws released the stick, and he began to fall, down and down and down towards the ground.
The Moral:
The moral of the Tortoise and Crane story is encapsulated in the phrase “We rise by lifting others,” emphasizing the importance of helping others and serving a greater community purpose. This story teaches us to be respectful, helpful, and caring, and to strive towards making a positive impact in the lives of those around us. Ultimately, the purpose of life should not be solely focused on oneself, but rather on contributing to the betterment of society as a whole.
Conclusion:
The Tortoise and the Crane is a beautiful story that reminds us of the importance of being helpful, kind, and humble. It also warns us against pride and self-centeredness, which can lead to disastrous consequences. Therefore, we should always strive to serve a greater purpose in life and help those around us, and in doing so, we will not only benefit others but also rise to new heights ourselves.
