Teachings Of the Wise Turtle

This book is composed of maxims, aphorisms and short stories supposedly said by a Wise Turtle that lived many centuries ago. The pretext for this work is explained in the preface: "Modern zoologists have found in various plants and logs a rudimentary language which is believed to reflect the teachings of a being repeatedly referred to as the Wise Turtle. This specimen is assumed to be revered by nearly all chelonians and is credited with a vast amount of teachings in the form of aphorisms and uplifting stories. However, recent studies show that the original thoughts of the Wise Turtle are but a few, being the main part of them added by his disciples and hagiographers". The stories and sentences imitate those of the Far Eastern legends and Buddhist teachings.