In a quiet blue lake lived a tortoise and two geese. They were the best of friends.

One year, there was no rain. The lake started drying up, and soon there was only a muddy puddle left.

The geese said, “We must fly to another lake, or we’ll die of thirst.”

The tortoise sighed, “But I cannot fly!”

The clever geese thought for a moment. Then they said, “We’ll carry you with us. Hold this stick in your mouth, and we’ll each hold one end. But remember—don’t open your mouth, or you’ll fall!”

The tortoise agreed. The geese took off, flying high in the sky, carrying their friend below. People in the village looked up and laughed. “Oh look! A flying tortoise!” they cried.

The tortoise grew angry and opened his mouth to shout back—“I am not—”

But before he could finish, he fell down… thud!