A TONGUE FABLE
A tortoise, dissatisfied with her lowly life, had a great desire to see foreign countries. - On informingj-wo ducks of her wish, they said : / -We shall be happy, for a fair price, to transport you -to -any country -you please.' The passage < money having' been" agreed' upon and paid, the ducks said : '-You must take this narrow piece of stick in your teeth and hold it fast, and we- will take hold of it- at each end and' carry -you between us, .and as you value your -life be sure, to -keep , your mouth shut.' The journey -began, -and whenever Mhey went .there was a large crowd of people, who exclaimed in astonishment : ' What a wonderful' sight ! .The queen of the tortoises -with her -house at her back!' 'Yes, yes,' said the tortoise, 'you are quite right, -I am the queen.! .But it would have been better if she had held her tongue, for the moment ?he opened her mouth she let go the stick and was dashed to pjeces on .a rock.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZT19080813.2.63.4
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Tablet, 13 August 1908, Page 37
Word count
Tapeke kupu
175A TONGUE FABLE New Zealand Tablet, 13 August 1908, Page 37
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
See our copyright guide for information on how you may use this title.
Log in