The Swans and the foolish Turtle

Once upon a time there lived in a lake a turtle called Kambugriva and two swans who were her good friends. They enjoyed each other’s company. The three of them would meet on the banks of the lake every day and exchange stories, before returning at sunset. One year, there was no rain. The swans were worried and said to the turtle, "You will not be able to survive if the water in the lake dries up". The turtle was aware of the problem, and requested her friends to help her out. “Dear friends, please look for another lake which is full of water. Once you have found one, find a strong stick and then you can carry me to the lake with a stick. I shall hold on to the stick tightly with my mouth, while both of you hold the stick at either end and fly". The swans searched many places near and far and eventually found a lake with plenty of water. They returned to carry the turtle. Preparing to hold the stick from the two ends, they advised the turtle, "Dear friend, everything seems fine. But make sure to keep your mouth tightly shut all the time. You must not speak, or you will fall off." They had flown some distance when the turtle saw a town below. The people of the town were staring at the sight of two swans carrying a turtle in the sky. "Look at that! This is a rare sight - two birds carrying a turtle with the help of a stick", they shouted in admiration. On hearing the commotion, the turtle asked "What is all the noise about?” Of course the moment she opened her mouth she went down. The swans could do nothing to stop her from falling. And as she fell the people below caught her and made a feast of her.