Reading Notes Week 10: Jakata Tales Part A

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The Turtle Who Couldn't Stop Talking
The story begins with a turtle at the edge of a pond. Two geese who were also at the pond saw the turtle when they were out looking for food to eat. The turtle and the geese began talking to each other and this happened day after day. One day when they came to the pond, the geese and the turtles were good friends, and the geese offered to take the turtle to their home. The turtle asked how he could do that without wings and the geese said they would take him if he kept his mouth shut. The turtle agreed and they were on to fly to the geese’s home. The geese had a stick they brought and would hold in their mouth and the only way the turtle could be transported is if he held on to it with his mouth which required him not to speak. The geese flew with the turtle and they flew over some children. The children made fun of the geese and turtle and the turtle snapped back at them. When he opened his mouth, he fell to the ground and died at the children’s feet.

I picked this story to focus on this week because one, the turtle reminds me of myself, and two I thought it had an unexpected ending. I think this would be fun to recreate for a story because it was a quick story, yet very entertaining to read.

Bibliography:

Author: Ellen C. Babbit

Title: The Turtle Who Couldn't Stop Talking

Link: Link to story

How the Turtle Saved His Own Life

A King had a lake for his princess daughter to play in. He had told a group of boys to go gather fishes for him. They brought back fish and one turtle. The boys had never seen a turtle and thought it was a demon so they ran and told their father about it. The King did not want his sons being scared so he ordered to kill the turtle. Everyone had a plan on how to kill the turtle but an old man who was afraid of water said they should throw it into the lake. The turtle heard this idea and said how cruel that would be. The men took the turtle to the lake and threw it in. The Turtle laughed and swam down the river feeling safe in his home.

I also enjoyed reading this story because I feel like I could put my own twist on it. I think I could possibly even combine the two.

Bibliography:
Author: Ellen C. Babbit
Title: How the Turtle Saved His Own Life
Link: Link to story