The Fox, the Turtle, and the Tick Fairy Tale

Once upon a time, a fox, a tortoise, and a tick were traveling together when they came across a handful of millet.

They thought to themselves:

"Let's plant this millet as seeds, grow more, and share it," they said.

The fox saw a ledge and said:

"I'll stay here to support this ledge; otherwise, it might fall," and he lay down in the shade.

The poor tortoise scratched the ground, while the unfortunate tick gathered and planted the millet, working hard. After enduring much toil, when the millet was ripe, the tortoise harvested it. When it was threshed, there was one measure of millet. One of them went to call the fox. As soon as the fox arrived, he said:

"We can't divide this millet among the three of us. If we split it, how much will each of us get? Instead, let's compete to see who can take it all," he said.

"Alright!" they agreed, and the three of them gathered in one place, standing in a row.

The fox said:

"Let's go!" and as he started off, the tick clung to the fox’s toe and went along. The fox, eager and running as fast as he could, was about to jump onto the granary when the tick exclaimed:

"Oh no, are you going to crush me?"

"When did you get here?" asked the fox.

"I came as soon as you said, 'Let's go!'" replied the tick.

While they were arguing, the tortoise arrived, covered in blood. As soon as he came, he said:

"Oh dear, fox, I've just seen something terrible! A moment ago, two people came after you with two black horses, a black eagle, and two hounds, demanding I tell them where your fox friend is. They made my nose and mouth bleed." He added, "I didn’t say anything, but they are coming this way,"

The fox replied:

"Please, don’t tell them about me! You two share the millet, and I will be grateful to you. If they come, just say, 'We don't know where he has gone,'" and he hurried off.

Thus, the tortoise and the tick divided the millet among themselves.