Panchatantra story: The Talkative Tortoise - In this story we will learn "You should speak as much as you need. Speaking too much of unnecessary things harms oneself."
The Talkative Tortoise story
Once upon a time, A tortoise and a pair of swans lived in a pond. They were very good friends. Swans are very knowledgeable and They told amazing things to the tortoise.
The swans used to roam far and wide, so they would tell the tortoise about the unique things of other places. Tortoise said, "I Wish I could also fly like you."
Once, due to drought in this region, all the rivers, lakes and ponds dried up. Bird's and animals, started leaving the jungle; swans also came to a decision that they will also travel to Lake. They went to tell the same thing to the tortoise.
Swan said, "Friend, there is a lake fifty miles away from here. There is a lot of water in it, we will live there happily." The tortoise said, "Fifty miles? It would take me months to go this far. Till then I will be dead."
Swan said, "Have you known how to fly?" Tortoise said, "Friends. I may not be able to fly like you, but I can surely fly with you!" Swans said, "How is it possible?" Tortoise said, "Why not bring a strong stick? I will hold the stick in the middle with my teeth and you two hold both the ends of the stick in your beaks. In this manner, I will fly with you."
Swans said, "It's a very good idea. We will do as you say. But you will have to be very careful and don't talk. if you open your mouth to say something, while we are flying, you will lose your hold and you will fall down" The tortoise said, "Okay, I will not open my mouth during the entire journey."
They flew over hills, valleys, villages, forests and finally came over a town. While they were flying over the town, men, women and children came out of their houses to see this strange sight.
He was surprised that so many people were watching him. He forgot his friends' warnings and shouted "Look how many people are watching us!" He fell down and dead as soon as he opened his mouth.
Moral of the story: "We should have control over ourselves. It is very costly to open the mouth unnecessarily."