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THE SELFISH TORTOISE

 Assalamualaikum and a very good morning to the honourable judges, teachers and

friends. My story today is The Selfish Tortoise.

The tortoise went searching for food in a nearby forest because it was very hungry. He

was lucky, as there were a lot of green leaves around the place. As he was munching

delightfully, he enjoyed the cool breeze blowing slowly.

!h, what a delightful day it is," he said to himself. #hile the tortoise was resting after his

tasty meal, a rat came running breathlessly towards it. The rat said, $My friend, you had better

run. % saw a few farmers heading this way."

The tortoise was stunned to hear the news. He didn&t know where to hide himself. He

couldn&t run fast enough. The rat helped the tortoise to hide behind a large tree so that the

farmers wouldn&t be able to find them.

#hen the farmers had gone away, they came out of their hiding. The tortoise thanked

the rat for his help. He was keen to become the rat&s best friend, as the rat had large ears to

hear and sense danger easily.

The rat accepted the friendship. He pitied his friend because the tortoise was such a

slow coach. The rat knew that one day the tortoise would be in danger and wouldn&t be able to

save himself. 'ince they agreed to become good friends, the tortoise suggested that they tied

their legs with a string. The rat agreed.

They moved along together and the tortoise felt safe. As good friends, the rat followed

the tortoise wherever it went. The rat sometimes didn&t go to places which the tortoise refused.

(eing kind, he felt responsible for his friend. Therefore, he went along without much grumbling.

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The tortoise was a selfish and dishonest friend. He only had his safety in mind and didn&t

care about the rat. The rat was not aware of the tortoise&s selfishness.

!ne day, the bear attacked them. The rat )uickly brought the tortoise to hide inside the

hollow of a tree. The bear came near and sniffed at the tree. (oth the animals shivered in fear.

*uckily the bear left and both of them are safe. The tortoise laughed to himself.

The rat was very hungry. He suggested to the tortoise to go to a house at the edge of the

forest. The tortoise cunningly discouraged his friend as he feared that the house owner would

capture him.

The rat was very sad, as he had not eaten for three days after their legs had been tied

together. The rat had grown frail and thin. The rat then appealed to the tortoise for help, but the

tortoise still ignored him.

#hen the tortoise was fast asleep, a porcupine approached the rat. $Hey friend, why did

you tie your leg to the tortoise+ oesn&t this hamper your movement to look for food+" asked the

porcupine.

$%&m aware of it, but % pity the tortoise as his life is in danger without my presence,"

replied the rat. The porcupine was surprised by the answer and advised the rat to be careful.

The two animals continued to walk with their legs tied to each other. The rat repeatedly

re)uested his friend to go and search for food at the edge of the forest, but the tortoise was

stubborn. He ignored the rat&s re)uest.

The tortoise was only concerned for himself. #alking side by side, they soon came near

a river. $Hey rat, % want to eat fish. #ould you like to follow me+" asked the tortoise.

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The rat heard his re)uest in disbelief. $o you realize that % cannot swim+" replied the

rat. The tortoise was very hungry, so he jumped into the river without thinking of his friend&s

safety.

The rat struggled in the water and tried to untie the string. The river currents were very

strong. He tried to save himself by clinging onto a fallen branch. The strong currents swept him

away and the rat was drowned. The selfish tortoise )uickly untied the string and left the rat&s

body in the river. %t was soon carried away to the sea.

 As he was crawling hoe, a large tree fell onto the tortoise, breaking his shell. He yelled

loudly but no one came to help him. A tiny ant heard his cries but it was unable to help.

-inally, the tortoise died after being pinned under the tree for three days. The porcupine

felt very sad because the rat ignored his advice. The moral value is we should choose friends

wisely. ever fall prey to people&s sweet talk.