Earth was in the grip of drought. The birds were delighted when the Cloud People took pity and invited them for a feast. Since only birds could fly.

Tortoise decided he would join them.

“Perhaps Tortoise could fly if we attached feathers to his feet,” said owl thoughtfully.

So owl and parrot went around collecting feathers from all the birds they could find. Once they were fixed to Tortoise’s feet, he could fly!

“Just tell the Cloud People that I am King Everyone, chief of the birds,” suggested Tortoise slyly.

The Cloud People’s King welcomed them warmly.” We are honoured to have everyone here. Everyone come and enjoy the feast!”

Tortoise rushed forward and gobbled up all the food. The birds were so furious that they took away all his feathers.

Tortoise shouted down to Mrs. Tortoise to prepare a bed of soft grass for him to fall into but she misheard it as a bed of rocks. Tortoise fell and landed with a hard thud on his back. His beautiful smooth shell shattered into many pieces.

His wife stuck the pieces back on again as best as she could, but ever since all tortoises have patterned shells.