Once upon a time, in a serene lake surrounded by lush greenery, there lived an old turtle named Tina. She had thick, green skin and a sturdy shell, and her eyes sparkled with wisdom. Every day, she would bask in the warm sun, listening to the gentle lapping of the water against the shore and the melodious chirping of the birds above.
One sunny afternoon, as Tina was about to close her eyes, she heard a rustling sound nearby. A rabbit came into view, hopping nervously from one foot to another.
“Oh, dear Tina,” the rabbit said, “please tell me, what’s the quickest way to rush into the forest?”
“Rush?” Tina replied slowly, her voice calm and nurturing. “Why would you want to rush, dear friend?”
“The wood-chip gathering contest will soon start, and I must be the first to arrive!” said the rabbit, twitching its nose with impatience.
“Very well,” said Tina, “if you must hurry, take the path straight ahead.” And off the rabbit rushed, disappearing into the woods.
Tina was just closing her eyes again when the branches rustled above her. A little squirrel poked its head out and chattered frantically, “Excuse me, wise Tina! Please tell me the quickest way to the top of the great oak tree?”
“Up, my little friend?” said Tina slowly. “But why in such a hurry?”
“The squirrel climbing contest will soon begin, and I want to be the first!” chattered the squirrel.
“Very well,” said Tina, still in her peaceful mood. “If you must go fast, put your best foot forward.” And away sped the squirrel, up the trunk as quickly as its little legs could carry it.
Tina shut her eyes this time and prepared for a quiet nap, but soon she was awakened by a loud honking sound that seemed to come from the water. Splashing toward her was an old-goose, flapping its wings in agitation.
“Kind Tina,” honked the old goose, “what’s the quickest way to get to the city?”
“The city? And why do you wish to go there so soon, my friend?” asked Tina.
“The annual goose fair has just begun, and I want to be the very first to avail myself of the goodies on the stalls!”
“I see,” said Tina. “Well, then, if you would like to go fast, I can only advise you to stick your neck out and see where you are going.” And with that, the old goose splashed away across the lake.
When Tina opened her eyes again, she saw two tiny animals running toward her as fast as they could. They were elderly hedgehogs, who had just been married and started making their way home from their wedding party.
“Quick, quick!” cried one hedgehog to the other; “let us ask the wise old turtle the shortcut to the country.”
They came to a stop in front of Tina, all of a tremble. “Old turtle! Pray, can you direct us to the new-hatched family of little hedgehogs?”
“Well,” replied Tina slowly, “the fastest way will be to follow yonder path for just a quarter of an hour.”
“Which quarter?” asked one hedgehog. “There are the first, second, and third.”
“Which ever is nearest,” grumbled the other. “Time goes by so slowly when one wants to run so soon. Good day, good day!”
But as the hedgehogs continued to press forward, they turned to see Tina gazing at them kindly. They soon forgot their fatigue and went slowly along the path, and thus they reached their destination without even a remaindering ache in their backs.
And all the while emitted from the calm, deep heart of Tina the turtle the great lesson that patience and wisdom should prevail over the use of unwarranted haste.