it is related that in a pool whose pure water reflected every image like a clear mirror, once resided two geese and a tortoise, and in consequence of their being neighbours, the thread of their circumstances had been drawn out into sincere friendship, and they passed their lives contentedly.

in that water which was the source of their life and the support of their existence, however, a complete failure began to manifest itself, and a glaring alteration became evident. when the geese perceived that state of things they withdrew their hearts from the home to which they were accustomed and determined on emigrating. therefore with hearts full of sorrow and eyes full of tears, they approached the tortoise, and introduced the subject of parting.

the tortoise wept at the intelligence and piteously exclaimed, "what words are these, and how can existence be supported without sympathizing friends? and since that i have not power even to take leave, how can i endure the load of separation?"

the geese replied: "our hearts, too, are wounded by the sharp points of absence, but the distress of being without water is impossible to endure, and therefore of necessity we are about to forsake our friend and country."

the tortoise rejoined: "o friends! ye know that the distress of the want of water affects me more, and that without water i cannot support myself. at this crisis the rights of ancient companionship demand that ye should take me with you, and not leave me alone in the sorrowful abode of separation."

the geese answered: "o esteemed comrade! the pang of parting from thee is sharper than that of exile, and wherever we go, though we should pass our time in the utmost comfort, yet, deprived of seeing thee, the eye of our rejoicing would be darkened; but for us to proceed on the earth's surface and so to traverse a great and long distance is impossible, and for thee, too, to fly through the expanse of air and accompany us is impracticable; and such being the case, how can we travel together?"

the tortoise answered: "your sagacity will be able to devise a remedy for this matter, and what plan can develop while my spirit is broken by the thought of parting?"

the geese replied: "o friend! during this period of our friendship we have observed in thee somewhat of hastiness and rashness; perhaps thou wilt not act upon what we say, nor keep firm to thy promise after thou hast made it."

the tortoise rejoined; "how can it be that ye should speak with a view to my advantage, and i fail to perform a compact which is for my own good?"

said the geese: "the condition is that when we take thee up and fly through the air thou wilt not utter a single syllable, for any one who may happen to see us will be sure to throw in a word, and say something in reference to us directly or indirectly. now, how many soever allusions thou mayest hear, or whatever manoeuvres thou mayest observe, thou must close the path of reply, and not loose thy tongue."

the tortoise answered: "i am obedient to your commands, and i will positively place the seal of silence on my lips, so that i shall not be even disposed to answer any creature."

the geese then brought a stick, and the tortoise laid hold of the middle of it firmly with his teeth, and they, lifting the two ends of the stick, bore him up. when they got to a height in the air, they happened to pass over a village, and the inhabitants thereof having discovered them, were astonished at their proceedings, and came out to look at the sight, and raised a shout from left and right, "look! how two geese are carrying a tortoise!"

and as in those days the like of it had never been witnessed by that people, their cries and exclamations increased every moment. the tortoise was silent for a time, but at length the cauldron of his self-esteem began to boil, and his patience being exhausted, he exclaimed: "you who are shouting to others to look at what is plain enough to every one, hold your peace!" no sooner had he opened his lips, however, than he fell from on high, and the geese exclaimed, "it is the part of friends to give advice and of the well-disposed to listen to it."

and the moral of this story is, that whoever listens not to the admonition of friends, with the hearing of acceptance, will have hastened his own destruction.