In the realm of animals, where cunning and wit often intertwined, there lived a tortoise named Sly. Sly possessed a keen intellect and an unmatched ability to deceive others. One fateful day, a divine call echoed through the heavens, summoning all animals and birds to assemble in the celestial abode. Eager to heed the call, the animals gathered, their hearts filled with anticipation. Among them was Sly, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous plan. Knowing that he could not fly like the others, he approached each animal in turn, asking them to lend him their wings.
“My dear friends,” Sly pleaded, “I am unable to join you on this celestial journey. Would you be so kind as to bestow upon me the temporary use of your wings?” The animals, moved by Sly’s cunning and the prospect of earning divine favor, agreed to his request. With a collection of borrowed wings, Sly soared into the heavens, assuming a new name: “All of You.” Upon reaching the celestial abode, they were greeted by God, who presented them with a feast of delectable treats. Sly, ever the opportunist, declared, “All of You shall eat!” The animals and birds were astounded. They had expected God to address them individually, but Sly had cleverly exploited the name he had adopted.
Realizing Sly’s deception, the animals grew furious. They united and devised a plan to punish his cunning. Upon their return to Earth, they stripped Sly of all his borrowed wings, leaving him stranded and humiliated. Not one to be deterred, Sly hatched a new plan. He summoned the animals once more and told them, “When I return from heaven, tell my family to gather a bed of soft foam for my arrival.” The animals, still resentful, agreed to his request but subtly altered its meaning. Upon Sly’s return to Earth, they informed his family to gather all their rough irons and broken bottles instead.
Unaware of the trap that had been set for him, Sly plummeted towards the Earth. As he crashed into the treacherous surface, he was severely injured, his shell badly cracked and scarred. To this day, the tortoise bears the rough bark as a constant reminder of his cunning and the consequences of his deception.