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Everyday, after sunset, the tortoise would crawl up onto the
What did the three friends
bank. The two swans would waddle up beside him. do after sunset?

The three friends would settle down for a long chat.

Life went on peacefully for them.
Pronounces ‘tortoise’ as
‘toh-tus’.

Then one year, something terrible happened. The rains failed and the lake began to
dry up.

“We are leaving this place in the morning,” said the swans. “We are going to another
lake. We are sorry that you cannot fly. If you could fly, we would take you with us.”

“Where is the other lake? ” asked the tortoise.
Why were the swans leaving
“It’s a long way off. It will take us many days to get there,” the place?
said the swans.

“I would love to go with you. But I have no wings to fly. I shall say goodbye to you. I

won’t be here when you return,” said the tortoise sadly.

“Where will you go? ” asked the swans.

“Nowhere. I shall soon die of thirst right here,” said the tortoise.

The swans were sad. They did not want to lose their friend. But they did not know

how to help him.

26 Arrow-English Plus-3