The Crane and the Turtle

A Vietnamese proverb says:

"The crane and the turtle are friends."

Huy tells us the story of the crane and the turtle.

Bronze crane and turtlein the Temple of Literature

"Once there was a great flood. All the land was covered with water. The crane flew and flew, looking for a place to land. He didn't find any dry place on which to land. Finally, a turtle rose above the water's surface and said, "You can rest here on my shell." So the crane rested.

"Later on, all the water in the turtle's lake dried up. The turtle became very dry. It needed to be in the water. The crane swooped down, picked up the turtle, and carried it to a lake where there was water.

"So, you see, the crane and the turtle cooperated to help each other.

Gilt crane and turtle in restaurant

Gilt crane and turtle on wall of restaurant

"When you see the image of the crane on the turtle's shell, you cannot say that the crane is standing on the turtle. The image is to remind us that we need to cooperate and help each other."