Once there lived a tortoise near the banks of a river.
The tortoise often went into the river to swim and take bath. One day the tortoise sawn a trap carrying away a swarm of fishes. He became afraid that he might be caught one day. So he went back to the banks of rivers and quickly hide himself in his hole under a tree.
While resting, the tortoise kept thinking about the trap. It suddenly occurred to him that he should find a new place to live.
The tree under which the tortoise had its home was often perched by an eagle. The tortoise had been peeping from his hole and waited for the eagle to arrive.
It was as a hot afternoon. When the eagle came to rest on the shady branches of the tree, the tortoise jumped from his hole and ran towards the eagle.
The tortoise called the eagle and said, 'Friend, you are a great bird. You fly so high in the sky with you widespread wings. Your eyes are known to be very sharp. I am sure you know many places around'.
The eagle nodded, saying 'Certainly, I do'.
The tortoise continued, 'Friend, I hvd been dwelling this place since the time I was born. I had liked this place for its opulence and peace. But off late there have been frequent hunting expeditions here. The humans come and fish in the riverwaters. They go about hunting animals here. I am afraid that my life is in risk. Could you carry me to a safe place, where I can live happily?'
The eagle replied in an excited tone, 'Sure, I can. There are many places I know where you can live merrily. I shall carry you there'.
The tortoise happily mounted the eagle's back and they flew far. When the new forest was near, the eagle started flying low. Suddendly, a crow came flying near the eagle.
The crow was very shrewd. He said to eagle in language of birds, 'Hey friends, you are carrying a delightful meal on your back'.
The eagle replied to the crow, 'The tortoise flesh is relished. But its shell is too hard. Cann't get through the shell'.
The crow suggested, 'Fly north. The area has many rocks and mountains. Drop the tortoise, and let its shell break open its body. We shall then feast upon it'.
The eagle gave an agreeing smile to the crow and swiftly flew towards the mountains. When it saw the mountains, it took a brisky twist and flipped the tortoise apart from his back. The unfortunate tortoise came down on the rock with a big thud. Its shell crashed exposing its body. The tortoise died.
The crow came upon, and together with the eagle they ate the tortoise.
Moral: Never trust your enemies.
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