Hold On Tight! (Aesop)

A tortoise watched the birds all fly,
And chipmunks quickly scamper by;

And thought where he would like to go,
If he did not move quite so slow.

If like the hare, with speed could run,
Each day he’d chase the setting sun.

But on his back, his shell did weigh,
And slowed each step throughout the day.

The world had surely much to see,
If he could of his shell be free.

Two ducks did all this overhear,
And to the tortoise waddled near.

With feathers they did dry his tear,
And shared a thought to bring him cheer:

“Perhaps we could bestow a gift,
And give to you a little lift…

We’ll find a stick that’s strong, but light –
Well suited to a lengthy flight.

Then in our beaks, we’ll hold each end.
And you’ll bite in the middle, friend.

Then all the world you’ll get to see,
As you fly in our company.”

The tortoise did no longer grieve,
And said with glee, “when can we leave?”

So, quickly they did all prepare,
To leave the ground and take to air.

Again the ducks, the tortoise told,
“You never must release your hold!”

Then slowly first, the three did rise,
Toward the clear and sunny skies.

And ever upward, they rose higher,
Just as the tortoise did desire.

A crow did happen by in flight,
And paused at this amazing sight.

She asked, “who is this that you bring,
Is this indeed the tortoise king?”

This praise, the tortoise did surprise,
And in response, though quite unwise,

The tortoise shouted, “thank you ma’m,”
Then found himself in quite a jam.

As from his mouth the stick did slip
And he had lost his precious grip.

The world now, he would never view,
His travels now completely through.

Upon the rocks, now just debris …
But from his shell, he was now free.

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Just focus on the task at hand,
Or suffer destiny unplanned.

: 2, Aesop’s Fables (1884): 188)

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