THE PEACOCK AND THE TORTOISE

Once upon a time, a peacock and a tortoise became great friends. The peacock lived on a tree by the banks of the stream in which the tortoise had his home. Every day, after he had a drink of water, the peacock danced near the stream to the amusement of his tortoise friend.
One unfortunate day, a bird catcher caught the peacock and was about to take him away to the market. The unhappy bird begged his captor to allow him to bid his friend, the tortoise, good-bye. The bird catcher granted him his request and took him to the tortoise. The tortoise was greatly disturbed to see his friend in captivity
The tortoise asked the bird catcher to let the peacock go in return for an expensive present. The bird catcher agreed. The tortoise then dove into the water and a few seconds later emerged with a handsome pearl. The bird catcher was astonished. As this was beyond his greatest expectations, he let the peacock go immediately.
A short time later, the greedy man came back and told the tortoise that he had not paid enough for the release of his friend. He threatened to catch the peacock again unless the tourtise retrieved him another pearl. The tortoise, who had already advised his friend, the peacock, to leave the place to a distant jungle upon being set free, was greatly enraged at man’s greed.
“Well,” said the tortoise, “if you insist on having another pearl like the last, give it to me and I will fish you out an exact match for it.”
The greedy bird catcher agreed.
The tortoise swam away with the pearl, saying, “I am no fool to take one and give two!” He then disappeared into the water, leaving the bird catcher without a single pearl.
This story teaches the consequences of greed.