How the Tortoise Got Its Shell

A Tortoise with No Shell

Long, long ago, Tortoise did not have a shell.

Her back was soft and bare. She had no cosy roof to hide under. But that was all right, because Tortoise loved her little home very, very much.

Her home was small and warm. It smelled of leaves and soft earth. "There is no place like home," she said every day. "I love it best of all."

A Feast in the Sky

One day, a bird flew down with big news.

"Hear ye! Hear ye!" sang the bird. "The king of the animals is having a feast! A great big feast in the sky! Everyone is asked to come!"

All the animals were so excited. A feast! With lovely food! Up in the sky!

Lion roared. Monkey clapped. Even slow little Tortoise smiled. "Oh, how lovely," she said. "I will go too."

Slow, Slow, Slow

The day of the feast came. All the animals set off for the sky.

But Tortoise was slow. Step. Step. Step.

And there was something else. She kept looking back at her cosy little home.

"I do love my home," she sighed. "I will just sit here one more minute."

So she sat. Then she had a little nap. Then she had a little snack. She did not want to leave!

The sun went up. The sun went down. And still Tortoise had not gone.

The Very Last to Come

At long, long last, Tortoise came to the feast. She was the very, very last one there.

The food was nearly gone. The music was nearly done. Everyone was getting sleepy.

"Oh dear," said Tortoise. "I missed it. I love my home so much that I came too late."

The king of the animals saw her sad little face. He was kind, and he had an idea.

A Home of Your Own

"Dear Tortoise," said the king. "You love your home more than anything. So here is a gift. Now you can take your home with you, wherever you go!"

He gave Tortoise a round, smooth shell. It went right on her back. It fit just so.

Tortoise pulled in her head. Cosy! She pulled in her legs. So warm and snug!

"Oh!" said Tortoise. "It is just like my little home — and it comes with me!"

Home on Her Back

From that day on, Tortoise was never late again. She did not have to leave her home behind. Her home went everywhere she did.

When she was tired, she popped inside for a rest. When it rained, she stayed dry. When she felt shy, she tucked herself away, all snug and safe.

And that is why, to this very day, every tortoise carries a cosy little home upon her back.

"There is no place like home," said Tortoise happily. "And now my home is always with me."

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The moral: There is no place like home — and the things we love most, we can keep close.

Want more read-along tales? Try The Lion and the Mouse or The Tortoise and the Hare next.