Near the rivers huge tortoises were to be found , and though to our eyes a tortoise seems a dull , slow thing , it is wonderful to think how clever they were , and how often they outwitted many of their livelier friends . There was one tortoise in particular that always managed to get the better of everybody , and many were the tales told in the forest of his great deeds . They began when he was quite young , and tired of staying at home with his father and mother . He left them one day , and walked off in search of adventures . In a wide open space surrounded by trees he met with an elephant , who was having his supper before taking his evening bath in the river which ran close by . ` Let us see which of us two is strongest , ' said the young tortoise , marching up to the elephant . ` Very well , ' replied the elephant , much amused at the impertinence of the little creature ; ` when would you like the trial to be ? ' ` In an hour 's time ; I have some business to do first , ' answered the tortoise . And he hastened away as fast as his short legs would carry him . In a pool of the river a whale was resting , blowing water into the air and making a lovely fountain . The tortoise , however , was too young and too busy to admire such things , and he called to the whale to stop , as he wanted to speak to him . ` Would you like to try which of us is the stronger ? ' said he . The whale looked at him , sent up another fountain , and answered : ` Oh , yes ; certainly . When do you wish to begin ? I am quite ready . ' ` Then give me one of your longest bones , and I will fasten it to my leg . When I give the signal , you must pull , and we will see which can pull the hardest . ' ` Very good , ' replied the whale ; and he took out one of his bones and passed it to the tortoise . The tortoise picked up the end of the bone in his mouth and went back to the elephant . '
I will fasten this to your leg , ' said he , ` in the same way as it is fastened XXXXX mine , and we must both pull as hard as we can .
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