Eleven Turtle Tales: Adventure Tales from Around the World

American Storytelling

by Pleasant DeSpain

Turtle carries the world on her this story has been told by different cultures around the world for generations. Like Mother Nature, Turtle is unhurried, wise, and enduring. She walks on land, swims in water, and breathes the air—and so embodies three of the four elements of creation. We have much to learn from Turtle. The eleven stories in this collection come from Africa, India, Japan, Australia, and the Americas. "The Courting of Miss Python" tells how Turtle outwits the brutal King Python; "The Monkey's Liver" explains why Monkey never rides on Turtle's back and why Jellyfish has no spine; and "The Talkative King" tells how a chatty ruler learns from Turtle why it is often wiser to listen than to talk. READING Lexile 760L; Guided P

Genres: Cultural

110 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Pleasant DeSpain is a world traveler, storyteller and author of 18 published books,and more than 350 stories. He's currently living in Northern Thailand as well as the USA, while working on a collection of stories from his 70 plus years of life and adventures. The goal of the new work is to share his practical as well as spiritual journey. Pleasant does not have answers or truths for others, but he has many good stories to tell!

His many collections of folk and fairy tales, legends and original tales, most of which are published by August House Publishers, Atlanta, Georgia, continue to be in circulation and used in schools throughout the United States and other countries. These stories endure and will always be relevant in our various cultures and societies.

Reviews

[Helen]

This is a collection of stories that DeSpain has gathered from around the globe. Although it does include at least one native-American tale there are stories from indigenous people in Asia, Australia, the Middle East and elsewhere. The common thread is that all the tales deal with nature and people interacting with nature. Some of the the stories intend to teach a lesson, while others are simply trying to recount an amazing feat. All in all, it is an enjoyable book, not only for children but for adults and anyone who enjoys story-telling. A true multi-cultural collection, the book demonstrates how mankind has perceived nature and reinforces the fact that we should be in awe of it.

[Teddy Pridemore]

It was funny. My favorite tale was about a trickster turtle, a monkey, and some bananas.

[Sandy]

This is a worthwhile collection of turtle stories from around the world as told by Pleasant DeSpain. Each story offers a different perspective on the same character--a reptile whose place in the mythologies of various cultures around the world is a lofty one. The turtle is both teacher and trickster--a partner in creation and a confounder of those who think themselves great. You don't get to stick around for more than two million years on looks alone. The turtle shows what brains, perseverance, and forebearance can do for a creature.

[Kaulin]

Kaulin's favorite story was "Wayamba the Turtle" an Aboriginal tale. His class is studying Australia.

My favorite part of the story was when Wayamba got into a fight because he stole Oolah (a lizard.) He jumped into a river & the lizard warriors thought he turned into a turtle.

[Elaine Bearden]

"Frog Swallows Ocean" -Australia - Aboriginal

[Laura Beasley]

My fav is the Dancing Turtle.