How the Turtle Saved Its Life - Wise Jataka Tale for Kids

In this ancient Jataka tale, a seemingly threatening turtle is mistakenly viewed as a monster by a king and his children. But when a sentence of death is decreed, it is the turtle's sharp thinking and awareness of its strengths that save its life. This story teaches a powerful lesson in using one's inherent abilities to overcome danger.

How the Turtle Saved Its Life

There lived a doe with soft reddish brown fur, a fluffy white tail and big bright eyes. One day she was grazing in the forest. Suddenly, a young buck saw the doe and fell in love with her. The buck started following the doe and praised her beauty. There lived a group of fairies in the forest and they saw the doe and the buck secretly.

One day, the buck followed the doe to the village despite of the dangers it could come across. While walking, the doe felt that there was a man hiding ahead. She feared of the trap in which she could get Trapped . The doe thought and let the hunter killed him. Seeing this, the fairies blamed the doe for his death. One of the wisest fairies said, "It was the infatuation of the buck that killed it."

Moral: Use your strengths wisely—your true power lies in your natural element.
The turtle's safety was secured by relying on what it knows best. Acting intelligently and playing to your strengths can save you from even the gravest dangers.

Moral Stories Main

Change Language:

Try out the other sections