THE TORTOISE AND THE DUCKS


"Take me with you, please," called a tortoise to a gray duck and a
white duck that were flying over.

The ducks heard the tortoise and flew down toward him.

"Do you really wish to go with us?" asked the ducks as they came
to the ground near the tortoise.

"I surely do," replied the tortoise. "Will you please take me?"

"Why, yes, I think we can do so," said the white duck slowly.

The two ducks talked together in low tones for a few minutes. Then
they flew to the woods. They soon brought back a strong twig and
dropped it in front of the tortoise.

"Now," said the ducks, "if we take you off to see the world, you
must promise us one thing."

"What is that?" asked the tortoise. "I will promise almost
anything if you will let me go."

"You must promise not to say one word while you are in the air,