The Wily Tortoise
FOWLER was bird-catching in the jungle, and snared a wild goose. As he was carrying home his goose, he sat down by a pond. In this pond lived a Tortoise, and the Tortoise put up his nose out of the pond to sniff the air. He saw the Fowler and the Goose, and being a very innocent Tortoise, he feared no harm, but began to waddle towards them.
"Take care, friend!" said the Goose. "This Fowler has caught me, and he will catch you!"
The Tortoise waddled into the water again. "Many thanks, friend," said he. "One good turn deserves another." So saying, he dived down into the pond, and brought up a ruby.
"Here, Mr. Fowler," said he, "take this ruby, and let my friend the Goose go."
The Fowler took the ruby, but he was very greedy, so he said—
"If you will bring me a pair to this, I will let the Goose go."