True Friends .

- "Maybe I walk slowly. But I always finish my work properly. And tell me, do you have such a strong and beautiful shield like the one on my back?"

- Mahendra Chaudhari

A snake and a tortoise were very good friends. They lived under a big neem tree. Inside a hollow in the trunk of the tree lived the snake. Nearby, beneath a small mound of soil, was the tortoise's home.

Although they were close friends, the snake often teased the tortoise. "Friend!" the snake would say proudly, "How slow and lazy you are! Look at me - see how quickly I can move!"

The tortoise would smile calmly and reply, "Maybe I walk slowly. But I always finish my work properly. And tell me, do you have such a strong and beautiful shield like the one on my back?"

The tortoise never felt hurt by the snake's teasing. He simply laughed it off.

Every day the two friends went out together in search of food. After eating, they liked to swim in the nearby river. By evening, they would return happily to their homes under the neem tree.

One morning they went out, just like always.

But when they returned in the evening, they were shocked.

Their homes had disappeared!

The big neem tree had been cut down. Workers had cleared the land because a new road was being built there. The mound of soil where the tortoise lived had also been removed.

The two friends stood there silently, confused and helpless. They had lost their homes.

Sadly, they began walking away in search of another place to live. The snake looked especially worried.

The tortoise noticed this and asked gently, "Friend, why are you so upset? We will surely find a new place to live. Don't worry - I am with you."

The snake sighed and replied, "It is easy for you to say that. God has given you a house on your back. You can live safely anywhere. But what about me? Where will I stay?"

The tortoise looked at his friend kindly and said, "My dear friend, how can I leave you alone in such a difficult time? Yes, I have a shell to protect me. But I will stay with you until we find a safe home for you too."

Hearing these words, the snake felt comforted. His fear slowly disappeared. He realized how caring and loyal his friend truly was.

The two friends then set out together to search for a new home for the snake.

This time, the snake did not rush ahead proudly. Instead, he walked slowly beside the tortoise.

At last he understood something important.

Even though the tortoise moved slowly and worked slowly, he was a true and loyal friend.

Moral: 

Slow and steady work is reliable - and true friendship is priceless.