When the party was over, everyone left, and the tortoise has no means of going home. The tortoise jumped from the sky and landed on hard rocks on the earth and shattered his shell. He became so sick and spent so many months behind the rocks. Although he got better, his shell became cracked and patchy. This is why the tortoises shell is patchy.

An African folklore about the story of the greedy Tortoise/ Turtle. Before now the Tortoise has always had a very beautiful and smooth shell. Discover through this African folklore, how the Tortoise cracked his shell and ever since it's has remained cracked.

Delightful retellings of turtle tales from around the world, plus fun facts about turtles, are sure to please all turtle fans.

A rain forest fable from Caldecott medalist Gerald McDermott

Choctaw variant of Aesop's fable, The Tortoise and the Hare, in which Turkey assists Turtle in defeating Rabbit.

Three African Tales: The Tortoise Shell; Why the Frog Has No Tail; The Sun, the Moon, and the Water.