PT1-11-TurtleFellToDeath

Panchatantra Stories
பஞ்சதந்திரம் pañca-tantiram , n. pañcan +. The Tamil version of Pañca-tantra consisting of five books, viz., mittira-pētam1, cukirl- lāpam2, canti-vikkirakam3, artta-nācam4, acampirēṭciya-kārittuvam5; (=

 மித்திரபேதம்1, சுகிர்ல்லாபம்2, சந்திவிக்கிரகம்3, அர்த்தநாசம்4, அசம்பிரேட்சியகாரித்துவம்5 ) என ஐம்பகுதியுடையதாய்த் தமிழில் மொழிபெயர்க் கப்பட்ட நூல்.


1. மித்திரபேதம் = mittira-pētam = Sowing discord among friends.

2. சுகிர்ல்லாபம் = cukir-l-lāpam = the acquisition of friends.

3. சந்திவிக்கிரகம் canti-vikkirakam = Associating with a foe with a view to ruin him.

4. அர்த்தநாசம் artta-nācam = Loss of wealth.
5. அசம்பிரேட்சியகாரித்துவம் a-campirēṭciya-kārittuvam , n. a-sam-prēkṣya-kāri-tva. Action without forethought.

Inspiration from Nacchiyappan
By Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

1.Two swans and a turtle lived in a pond as friends for a long time. The water in the pond dried up since there were no rains for a long time. The swans decided to go to another pond and did not want to leave their friend behind. They hit upon an idea and told the turtle to hold on to a stick at the midpoint while they flew, holding the ends to the new pond. They emphasized the importance of not opening the mouth until they land on the shore. 

2. The turtle agreed to their proposal and bit the stick in the middle. The swans took off to the sky, holding the stick on either end with their beaks. The villagers seeing the newness of the flying turtle, clapped hands, unable to contain their delight. Seeing the clamor, the turtle opened its mouth to ask the people why they are laughing. Losing the hold with its mouth, it fell to its death.