My Itinerary ({: itinerary.length :})

{: event.badge :}

{: event.title :}

{: event.dates :} {: event.dateDescription :}
{: item :}
Suitable for {: item :}

Here Be Dragons co-curated by Cressida Cowell and Toothless - opens 13 July. Admission included with ticket to the Galleries

1001 Stories Collection

The Turtle Who Wanted To Fly

Audio
1001 The Turtle Who Wantedto Fly
Added on 07th July 2020

Oral tradition Versions are found in India, Africa and Europe

Asia Africa Animals Fables
1001 , Audio , Text

The story of a turtle with a big dream.

Story

A turtle dreams of flying. He asks the birds for help and they come up with a clever plan which will work – as long as the turtle can keep his mouth shut….

Why we chose it

The story was chosen by Geraldine McCaughrean for our World Stories room in 2016. With its vivid characters – the determined turtle and the inventive birds – it was a favourite with young visitors at storytelling sessions in the museum.

Where it came from

The Story of the Disobedient Tortoise is found in the Panchatantra, the books of fable and animal tales dating back to 3rd-5th century India. The Story of the Talkative Tortoise is found in the Jataka Tales dating back to 4th and 5th century India.

Where it went next

Oral retellings and Arabic translations carried the stories to Europe.

Associated stories

Similar stories are found in Ancient Greece - Aesop’s story of The Tortoise and the Birds - and medieval France - Jean de La Fontaine’s story - The Tortoise and the Two Ducks.

For an alternative version listen to The Talkative Tortoise.

Added on 07th July 2020

Oral tradition Versions are found in India, Africa and Europe

Asia Africa Animals Fables
1001 , Audio , Text

Story Resources

  • The Turtle Who Wanted To Fly story text PDF (36.922 KB)
    Download