How the Tortoise Got Cracks in His Shell

Once upon a time, there was a Tortoise. This Tortoise was so very sly; so much so, that all the animals hated him.

One day, all the Birds were invited to go to a party in heaven.

The Tortoise found out about it and concocted a plan. He went to the Birds and said, "You know, that when you arrive, the people of heaven will expect you to have a leader. I would make a very good leader, as I am such a sweet talker."

The Birds had to agree that Tortoise was a very sweet talker. So they told Tortoise that he could be their leader.

Each bird donated one feather to the Tortoise. They stuck these feathers on his shell. This way, he would be able to fly to the party in heaven.

Before they left, the Tortoise said, "You know, the people of heaven will ask us for our names. So we all have to have names. You choose your own names. As for me, my name will be 'All Of You'.

Then the Birds and Tortoise flew to heaven. When they arrived, Tortoise gave a very sweet speech. The people of heaven were very impressed.

Afterward, the people of heaven laid out all the food. Tortoise asked the host, "Whose food is this?"

The hosts replied, "It is for all of you."

So Tortoise went over to the Birds and said, "The people of heaven said that this food is for 'All Of You'. That is my name. Perhaps they will bring some more food out for you later." So the Tortoise ate up all of the food. The poor Birds did not get anything to eat.

In the end, the Birds got so angry and fed up with Tortoise, that they each took back their feathers.

So now, the Tortoise could not fly home. He said, "Birds, since I cannot fly home, won't you take a message back to earth for me?" But the Birds were so angry, none of them would agree.

In any case, Tortoise begged and pleaded so hard; that finally, the parrot said, "All right. What's the message?"

Tortoise said, "Tell my wife that I will be landing down from heaven. Tell her that she should lay out every pillow and everything soft that she can find, so that I will have a comfortable landing."

However, when the parrot relayed the message, he told the Tortoise's wife, "Your husband will be landing down from heaven. He told me to tell you to put out all the axes, the hammers, and the sharp things you can find for his landing."

The wife followed the parrot's directions. Then the Tortoise was given the signal that it was safe to fall. He fell down, down, down, smack on top of all those hard, sharp objects and CRAAAAAAACCCCCCCKKKKKKKK! went his shell.

Afterward, his wife took the Tortoise to a village doctor who was also a very wise man. The doctor put his shell back together again, but it was never again smooth. From that time forward until this very day, all Tortoises have cracks in their shells.