Nikhil Khasnabish

Once Turtle made a friendship with Hare, who lived in a forest, in a shallow depression called Form. Turtle lived in the river flowing past the forest.

When it became intolerable for him to live a solitary life, Hare came to the riverbank and watched the flowing water that made musical noises and danced. He came in the morning and afternoon.

One day, Hare happened to see Turtle swimming in the river and catching fish.

As Turtle came near the bank, where Hare was sitting, the morning sun shining bright on Turtle’s large black-tipped ears, Turtle swam over to the bank and talked to Hare.

Hearing how Hare spent his solitary life in Form, Turtle felt a surge of sympathy and advised him to spend time with his friends. When Turtle said he had no friends, Turtle agreed to make friends with him and talk to him every morning and afternoon and advised him to come to the riverbank and sit in the same place so it would be easy for Turtle to find him.

Their friendship deepened, and they exchanged their experiences and how they lived and what they ate: Hare mainly ate soft barks of trees and tender twigs; Turtle ate fish, insects, and vegetation when he came up on to the riverbank.

Willing to experience the aboveground lifestyle in the wild, Turtle one day asked Hare to take him to Form and then into the forest. He also assured Hare that he could stay in the forest, eating green leaves and insects.

Hare, who was about four kilograms with strong legs, took Turtle on his shoulder and arrived in Form. After spending two days in Form, Hare took him into the forest and showed how Hare spent his aboveground life. Turtle enjoyed every moment of every day with his friend.

Then when Hare wished to experience an aquatic lifestyle, Turtle took him into the river, on his streamlined back. He gave Hare strict instructions to keep sitting straight and never even think of trying to attempt to swim or play with his legs like oars, though his legs were strong. Turtle was pleased with his friend’s obedience.

Their river sports had continued for three days.

At the end of the days, in one afternoon, Turtle saw Mugger Croco sitting close to the riverbank exactly opposite to the place where they used to sit and talk to spend time. Turtle was acquainted with Mugger Croco, who had lived in that river for years. While talking to Turtle, he kept his eyes on Hare.

One day, Mugger Croco made an offer of friendship and showed his desire to take them on his back and playfully swim together in the river he knew not less than Turtle.

As agreed, Turtle and Hare sat on Mugger Croco’s back and then the moment they went to the middle of the river, Mugger Croco went under water and swallowed them up.

Turtle, who didn’t get frightened, asked Hare to cling to him and started tearing the wall of Mugger Croco’s belly; within minutes, Turtle successfully made a hole on the wall, with his sharp teeth and nails.

As soon as they came out, Turtle took Hare on his back and, glancing at Mugger Croco floating for the current, reddening the water with his blood, swam over to the bank.

Turtle allowed Hare to go back to Form only when he recovered from the trauma and became physically fit to live alone.

Their friendship continued as long as Hare lived.