[Footnote: This and the following fable are from _The Tortoise and the Geese, and Other Fables of Bidpai,_ retold by Maude Barrows Button.] A Tortoise and two Geese lived together in a pond for many years. At last there came a drought and dried up the pond. Then the Geese said to one another,-- "We must seek a new home quickly, for we cannot live without water. Let us say farewell to the Tortoise and start at once." When the Tortoise heard that they were going, he trembled with fear, and besought them by their friendship not to desert him. "Alas," the Geese replied, "there is no help for it. If we stay here, we shall all three die, and we cannot take you with us, for you cannot fly." Still the Tortoise begged so hard not to be left behind that the Geese finally said,-- "Dear Friend, if you will promise not to speak a word on the journey, we will take you with us. But know beforehand, that if you open your mouth to say one single word, you will be in instant danger of losing your life." "Have no fear," replied the Tortoise, "but that I shall be silent until you give me leave to speak again. I would rather never open my mouth again than be left to die alone here in the dried-up pond." So the Geese brought a stout stick and bade the Tortoise grasp it firmly in the middle by his mouth. Then they took hold of either end and flew off with him. They had gone several miles in safety, when their course lay over a village. As the country people saw this curious sight of a Tortoise being carried by two Geese, they began to laugh and cry out,-- "Oh, did you ever see such a funny sight in all your life!" And they laughed loud and long. The Tortoise grew more and more indignant. At last he could stand their jeering no longer. "You stupid..." he snapped, but before he could say more he had fallen to the ground and was dashed to pieces. THE PARTRIDGE AND THE CROW A Crow flying across a road saw a Partridge strutting along the ground. "What a beautiful gait that Partridge has!" said the Crow. "I must try to see if I can walk like him." She alighted behind the Partridge and tried for a long time to learn to strut. At last the Partridge turned around and asked the Crow what she was about. "Do not be angry with me," replied the Crow. "I have never before seen a bird who walks as beautifully as you can, and I am trying to learn to walk like you." "Foolish bird!" responded the Partridge. "You are a Crow, and should walk like a Crow. You would look silly indeed if you were to strut like a Partridge." But the Crow went on trying to learn to strut, until finally she had forgotten her own gait, and she never learned that of the Partridge. JEAN DE LA FONTAINE THE FOX AND THE GRAPES