THE FLYING TORTOISE

There had been a long drought and consequently, a pond inside a forest was getting rapidly dried up. Among the affected victims were three fast friends: a couple of swans and a tortoise.

The swans planned to migrate to a distant, water some lake. The two noble birds, however, didn't want to leave their friend behind. And all the three, accordingly, hatched a plan for effective rescue.

The flight strategy was simple, though.

The tortoise, with a tight grip by its mouth, was to hang on fast to a strong enough stick, held firmly on either side by the sturdy beaks of the two flying swans.

But, there was one natural, and compulsory precaution : under no circumstances should the tortoise let go of its oral hold on the stick, right from the take - off to the touch - down stage.

Soon, the air-lift was effected. And en route, the entire populace of a town down
below came out to watch, admire and pay encomiums to the genius behind the strange enterprise.

Their greatest praises were reserved especially for the daring tortoise, which
went into its head and rendered it clean-bowled.

"It is not bravery alone, but sheer necessity for me!" the tortoise wanted to say to
the admiring crowd.

However, as it opened its mouth to convey the planned message, the tortoise lost
its hold on the vital support and fell down to smash sharp to death, on the rocks
below.

"Extra-ordinary enterprises require iron-clad precautions.

"Observe strict silence in high places — and during high adventure."