DIE ENTEN UND DIE SCHILDKRÖTE
by Friedrich Giese · from Türkische Märchen
Adapted Version
Two ducks lived with a turtle. They were good friends. They lived by a nice stream. The stream had much water. They liked to play there. They swam in cool water. They ate green plants. They were happy.
Then, the water went away. The stream became dry. There was no water for them. This was a big problem. They had no home. The sun was hot. The ground was hard. Their home was gone.
Ducks wanted a new home. They must leave this place. They said goodbye to Turtle. They were very sad. They needed a new stream. They needed fresh water. It was far away.
Turtle was very sad. She said, "Do not leave. I need water." She could not walk. She needed help. She cried.
Ducks wanted to help. But it was hard. How could they carry her? She was heavy. They thought.
Turtle said, "Find a way. You are smart." Please help me. I need to go. You can do it.
Duck One had an idea. "We can use a stick," he said. "We hold it. You hold the middle." It is a strong stick. It will hold you.
Duck Two said, "This is important." "Do not talk." "Do not open your mouth." "You must be quiet." "It is very important." Your life depends on it. Be careful.
Turtle said, "Yes, I will listen." "I will be quiet." "I promise my friends." "She wanted to go." She nodded her head. She was ready.
The ducks took the stick. Turtle held it tight. They flew up into the sky. They flew across the land. The wind blew. They flew high. The ground looked small.
They flew over a town. People looked up. They saw the ducks and Turtle. They said, "Look! Ducks carry a turtle!" People pointed. They shouted. Turtle heard them.
Turtle heard the people. She wanted to talk. She forgot the rule. She opened her mouth to speak. She forgot the warning. She forgot her promise. She made a mistake.
She let go of the stick. She fell down, down, down. She could not fly with her friends anymore. She was left behind. The ducks flew on. Turtle was alone. She hit the ground.
Duck One and Duck Two were sad. "Oh, dear!" they said. "She did not listen." "She forgot the rule." "This is bad." They felt very bad. They missed her.
The ducks were sad. They flew to their new home. The turtle learned a hard lesson about listening. Always listen to important rules! They found a new stream. They found water. Their friend was gone.
Original Story
50. DIE ENTEN UND DIE SCHILDKRÖTE
In einem Bache, der wie ein Spiegel leuchtete und an Lieblichkeit und Süße mit der Quelle des Lebenswassers und mit dem Paradiesesbrunnen Selsebil wetteiferte, lebten zwei Enten und eine Schildkröte. Infolge ihrer Nachbarschaft war unter ihnen die engste Freundschaft entstanden. Plötzlich drohte das grimme Geschick, ihr Zusammensein zu trennen. In dem Teiche, in dem sie ihren Lebensunterhalt fanden, machte sich von Tag zu Tag eine Abnahme des Wassers bemerkbar.
Als die Enten ihre traurige Lage bemerkten, entschlossen sie sich, ihre ihnen liebgewordene Heimat zu verlassen und in die Fremde zu ziehen. In Niedergeschlagenheit gingen sie mit feuchten Augen zu der Schildkröte und sagten ihr Lebewohl. Als diese von der Abreise der Freunde hörte, jammerte und wehklagte sie: „Wie sollte ich ohne euch denkbar sein. Jetzt habe ich kaum die Kraft, euch Lebewohl zu sagen. Wie sollte ich die Trennung ertragen?“ Die Enten erwiderten: „Auch unser Herz ist von dem Stachel der Trennung verwundet und unsere Brust brennt von dem Feuer der Abreise. Aber der Wassermangel droht unser Leben zu vernichten, so müssen wir notgedrungen in die Ferne ziehen und den lieben Freund und das paradiesische Land verlassen.“
Die Schildkröte sagte: „Der Wassermangel berührt mich auch, denn ohne Wasser ist mein Leben verwüstet. Seid so freundlich und achtet die alte Freundschaft, laßt mich nicht in diesem Unglück allein. Wenn ihr geht, nehmt mich mit.“ Die Enten erwiderten: „Lieber Freund und alter Genosse, die Trennung von dir ist für uns die schlimmste Folter und die böseste Pein. Überall, wo wir in Ruhe und selbst in der größten Bequemlichkeit wohnen, wird unserem Auge der Glanz und unserer Brust die Ruhe fehlen, da wir von deinem lieben Anblick getrennt sind. Auch wir haben weiter kein Verlangen als deine Gesellschaft und weiter keinen Wunsch als deine Kameradschaft. Aber was sollen wir machen? Denn wir können nicht mit dir auf der Erde wandern und mit unserem schwachen Körper und schwachen Füßen Täler und Wüsten durchqueren und du wiederum kannst nicht die Weiten des Himmels durchfliegen. Wie soll da auf dieser Reise Begleitung und Genossenschaft zwischen uns möglich sein?“
Die Schildkröte sagte: „Das überlasse ich wieder eurer Einsicht, und die Lösung dieser Schwierigkeit hängt von eurem Scharfsinn ab. Was könnte ich mit meinem schwachen Geist, der durch den Abschiedsschmerz krank und durch die Trennung von den Freunden ganz gebrochen ist, herausfinden?“ Die Enten erwiderten: „Lieber Freund, wir haben schon an eine Möglichkeit gedacht, aber da wir wissen, daß du etwas leichtsinnig bist, so kannst du wahrscheinlich nicht so, wie wir denken, handeln.“ Die Schildkröte sagte: „Wäre es möglich, daß ich, während ihr zu meinem Besten einen Plan ausdenkt, mein Versprechen nicht halten sollte, obgleich es zu meinem Nutzen ist?“ Die Enten sagten: „Wir können dich unter der Bedingung durch den weiten Himmelsraum tragen, daß du weder Hand noch Fuß rührst und kein Wort sprichst. Denn es werden uns Leute begegnen, die uns irgendein Wort zurufen oder sich sonst irgendwie bemerklich machen. Da ist es nötig, daß du, magst du auch hören und sehen, was du willst, deinen Mund fest unter Siegel hältst.“ Die Schildkröte sagte: „Ich tue, wie ihr befehlt.“
Die Enten brachten einen Stock und steckten die Mitte davon der Schildkröte in das Maul. Sie faßten an beiden Enden an und hoben ihn hoch. Als sie so flogen, kamen sie über ein Dorf. Alle Leute, jung und alt, groß und klein, sahen dies Ereignis und verließen, um es sich genauer anzusehen, die Häuser, wunderten sich und riefen von allen Seiten: „Die Enten tragen eine Schildkröte.“ Eine Zeitlang war die Schildkröte ruhig, dann konnte sie es nicht mehr aushalten und antwortete auf das Gerede der Leute: „ja.“ Sobald sie zur Antwort den Mund geöffnet hatte, fiel sie vom Himmel zur Erde.
Die Enten sagten tadelnd: „Du Unverständiger, du Leichtsinniger, vom Boten verlangt man nur, daß er seine Botschaft überbringt, von den Freunden, daß sie raten, und von den Verständigen, daß sie zuhören und demgemäß handeln.“
Story DNA
Moral
It is wise to heed the advice of friends and remain silent when necessary, especially when your life depends on it.
Plot Summary
Two ducks and a tortoise, close friends, face a drought that dries up their home. The ducks decide to migrate, and the tortoise, unable to travel on its own, begs to join them. The ducks devise a clever plan to carry the tortoise by having it hold a stick in its mouth while they fly, but they warn it strictly not to speak. As they fly over a village, the villagers exclaim at the sight. Unable to resist responding, the vain tortoise opens its mouth, falls to its death, and the ducks lament its foolishness.
Themes
Emotional Arc
hope to tragedy
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Friedrich Giese was a German orientalist, and his collection 'Türkische Märchen' (Turkish Fairy Tales) often included fables with a clear moral, drawing from Eastern traditions. This particular fable is a variant of 'The Tortoise and the Geese' or 'The Talkative Tortoise,' found in various ancient collections like the Panchatantra (India) and Aesop's Fables (Greece).
Plot Beats (14)
- Two ducks and a tortoise are close friends living by a beautiful, abundant stream.
- A severe drought causes the stream to dry up, threatening their lives.
- The ducks decide to migrate to a new home and bid a sorrowful farewell to the tortoise.
- The tortoise, distraught, begs her friends to take her with them, as she cannot survive without water.
- The ducks express their desire to help but explain the logistical challenges of carrying a tortoise.
- The tortoise challenges the ducks to use their intelligence to find a way to transport her.
- The ducks propose a plan: they will carry a stick in their beaks, and the tortoise must hold onto the middle with her mouth.
- The ducks give the tortoise a strict warning: she must not speak or move, no matter what she sees or hears, as her life depends on her silence.
- The tortoise agrees to the condition, promising to obey.
- The ducks take flight, carrying the tortoise across the sky.
- As they fly over a village, the villagers notice the unusual sight and exclaim loudly about the ducks carrying a tortoise.
- Unable to control her vanity and desire to respond, the tortoise opens her mouth to speak.
- The tortoise immediately loses her grip on the stick and falls to her death.
- The ducks lament the tortoise's foolishness and lack of self-control.
Characters
The First Duck
A medium-sized waterfowl, sleek and agile, with a sturdy build suitable for both swimming and flight. Its feathers are likely a mix of iridescent greens, browns, and whites, typical of a wild duck.
Attire: Natural plumage, likely a mix of iridescent green on the head and neck, brown on the body, and white underparts, with a distinctive speculum on its wings.
Wants: To survive the drought and find a new, safe home for itself and its friend, and to help its turtle friend if possible.
Flaw: Can be overly critical or preachy when frustrated.
Remains consistent in its practical nature, serving as a voice of reason.
Loyal, practical, cautious, responsible.
The Second Duck
Similar to the First Duck, a medium-sized waterfowl, sleek and agile, with a sturdy build suitable for both swimming and flight. Its feathers are likely a mix of iridescent greens, browns, and whites, typical of a wild duck.
Attire: Natural plumage, likely a mix of iridescent green on the head and neck, brown on the body, and white underparts, with a distinctive speculum on its wings.
Wants: To survive the drought and find a new, safe home for itself and its friend, and to help its turtle friend if possible.
Flaw: Can be overly critical or preachy when frustrated.
Remains consistent in its practical nature, serving as a voice of reason.
Loyal, practical, cautious, empathetic.
The Turtle
A freshwater turtle, likely with a smooth, dark green or brown domed shell, about the size of a dinner plate. Its skin is leathery and wrinkled, a muted green-brown, with webbed feet.
Attire: Its natural shell, a sturdy, protective carapace, likely dark green or brown with subtle patterns.
Wants: To avoid loneliness and remain with its friends, the ducks, at all costs.
Flaw: Vanity and inability to control its tongue, leading to its downfall.
Starts as a dependent friend, attempts to overcome its limitations, but ultimately succumbs to its fatal flaw, leading to its demise.
Emotional, dependent, impulsive, easily distracted by external validation.
Locations
The Drying Stream/Pond
A once-lustrous stream, shining like a mirror, now visibly diminishing in water level day by day. The banks are likely muddy and cracked in places, revealing the receding water line. Surrounding vegetation, if any, would be showing signs of stress.
Mood: Melancholy, desperate, a sense of impending loss and urgency.
The initial setting where the three friends live, and where the problem of water scarcity forces their decision to migrate.
Village Below
A bustling village seen from high above, with people of all ages emerging from their homes to witness the unusual sight in the sky. The architecture would be typical of a German village, featuring half-timbered Fachwerk houses with steep, gabled roofs and small windows. Cobblestone paths would wind between the houses, and perhaps a central market square or church steeple would be visible.
Mood: Curious, lively, bustling with human activity and wonder.
The location over which the ducks and turtle fly, where the villagers' shouts provoke the turtle to speak, leading to its downfall.
The Sky (Mid-flight)
The vast, open expanse of the sky, offering a bird's-eye view of the world below. The air is clear, allowing for distant visibility. The sun would be high, casting bright light on the clouds and the ground far beneath. The sense of height and freedom is palpable, contrasting with the danger of the situation.
Mood: Exposed, precarious, awe-inspiring, but also tense due to the turtle's fragility.
The primary setting for the journey, where the ducks carry the turtle, and where the tragic climax of the story occurs.