The Ducks and the Tortoise
A Moroccan floktale Adapted for Moroccohykayt
A long time ago, back when the Moroccan plains and meadows were still lush and full of life, two sister ducks spent their days flying over the rivers and ponds, just drifting from place to place looking for water and a good meal.
But one day, a massive drought hit a meadow that used to be a total green paradise. The water dried up, the grass withered away, and the whole place started looking like a ghost town—just a faded memory of what it used to be.
As the two ducks were circling over the dry land, they caught the faint sound of crying coming from the dead grass. They flew down cautiously and found an old tortoise sitting on a rock, tears streaming down her face.
The ducks asked her gently, "Hey, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?"
The tortoise looked up miserably and said, her voice completely cracking, "This place used to be my home. It was this huge, beautiful meadow with plenty of water, shade, and food. We lived in peace, eating and drinking without a care in the world. But then the drought hit, everything died right in front of me, and now I have absolutely nowhere to go."
The ducks looked at each other, feeling awful for her. Then one of them said, "Don't worry, we’re going to help you out. We’ll take you with us to a faraway land that’s still green, fertile, and full of life."
The Two Ducks and the Tortoise
Moroccan folktale from unkown author
But they had one strict rule: "You cannot say a single word during the trip, no matter what happens. Opening your mouth could literally cost you your life."
The tortoise agreed, completely determined to keep her mouth shut. The ducks found a strong stick, each grabbing one end with their beaks, while the tortoise bit down hard right in the middle. They flapped their wings and took off into the sky, drifting above the clouds like a dream.
The breeze was gentle, the earth looked tiny below them, and the tortoise was completely blown away by how beautiful the world looked from up there—something she had never seen in her entire life.
But as they were flying along, people on the ground spotted the bizarre sight. They started pointing and shouting in disbelief, "Look at that! Two ducks are carrying a tortoise through the air! That is wild!"
The tortoise just couldn't help herself. Curiosity got the best of her, and she totally forgot the promise she had made. She opened her mouth to snap back at them...
But the second she spoke, the stick slipped from her teeth. She began plummeting through the empty air, falling into a tragic crash that ended her journey in an instant.
The first duck looked over at her sister and sighed, "Honestly, knowing when to keep your mouth shut keeps you alive. A single word can lift you up, or completely ruin you in a split second."