# XIII: The Talkative Tortoise explained — Indian Fairy Tales

> Chapter companion for Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs.

## What happens

This chapter presents the Jataka tale of the Talkative Tortoise, who is carried through the air by ducks but falls to his death when he opens his mouth to respond to taunts. The story appears in the Bidpai literature and its many offshoots, with variations in the cause of the catastrophe.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cunning and Wisdom

The tortoise's lack of wisdom in speaking leads to his downfall, contrasting with the cunning of the ducks who carry him.

### Gratitude and Ingratitude

The taunts of the other birds reflect ingratitude and mockery, contributing to the tortoise's fatal response.

## Character check-ins

### The Talkative Tortoise

The protagonist who is carried by ducks but falls to his death after opening his mouth to speak.

## Key lines

> O here is a brave sight, looke, here is a goodly ieast, what bugge haue we here

The other birds mock the tortoise as he is carried through the air.

_This taunt provokes the tortoise to speak, leading to his fall._

> See, see, she hangeth by the throte, and therefor she speaketh not

The birds comment that the tortoise is silent because she is hanging by the throat.

_This further provocation causes the tortoise to open her mouth and fall._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xiii-the-talkative-tortoise
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters