but the distress of being without water is impossible to endure, and therefore of
necessity we are about to forsake our friend and country."
The Tortoise rejoined: "O friends! ye know that the distress of the want of water
affects me more, and that without water I cannot support myself. At this crisis
the rights of ancient companionship demand that ye should take me with you,
and not leave me alone in the sorrowful abode of separation."
The Geese answered: "O esteemed comrade! the pang of parting from thee is
sharper than that of exile, and wherever we go, though we should pass our time
in the utmost comfort, yet, deprived of seeing thee, the eye of our rejoicing
would be darkened; but for us to proceed on the earth's surface and so to traverse
a great and long distance is impossible, and for thee, too, to fly through the
expanse of air and accompany us is impracticable; and such being the case, how
can we travel together?"
The Tortoise answered: "Your sagacity will be able to devise a remedy for this
matter, and what plan can develop while my spirit is broken by the thought of
parting?"
The Geese replied: "O friend! during this period of our friendship we have
observed in thee somewhat of hastiness and rashness; perhaps thou wilt not act
upon what we say, nor keep firm to thy promise after thou hast made it."
The Tortoise rejoined; "How can it be that ye should speak with a view to my
advantage, and I fail to perform a compact which is for my own good?"
Said the Geese: "The condition is that when we take thee up and fly through the
air thou wilt not utter a single syllable, for any one who may happen to see us
will be sure to throw in a word, and say something in reference to us directly or
indirectly. Now, how many soever allusions thou mayest hear, or whatever
manoeuvres thou mayest observe, thou must close the path of reply, and not
loose thy tongue."
The Tortoise answered: "I am obedient to your commands, and I will positively
place the seal of silence on my lips, so that I shall not be even disposed to
answer any creature."
The Geese then brought a stick, and the Tortoise laid hold of the middle of it
firmly with his teeth, and they, lifting the two ends of the stick, bore him up.