A blue dove for the princess

chapter 6

On arriving at the lake, the dove came across a tortoise that appeared to be wise. The tortoise said, "It's good to have a carapace. This thing has enabled me to survive a lot of dangers. There are some birds that wear a carapace, aren't there?"

"You mean a cage? It's not like yours. It bans us going outside. Many of us want out of the cages. I was once in a cage too", the dove explained to the tortoise.

"Why in the world did you get out of it and jeopardize yourself? The best way to live long is to keep away from anything dangerous. Hazards can hit you out of nowhere, even if there is nothing to be blamed on your end. When you are in trouble, you need... to be... in your carapace... like this and wait for everything to subside. Don't even think about moving around," the tortoise said with his limbs being folded into his carapace.

"That solves nothing though", said the dove.

"Well!" said the tortoise with a loud voice. "Are you able to solve every problem you encounter? Are you certain you are? Good or bad, everything has its ending. When the sun is shining, you better enjoy as much sunlight as you can. In an ice-cold winter that freezes even your teardrops, you must endure with all your might. The sun will rise again. Mind you, we are mortals, and that's all mortals can do." The tortoise paused.

"Hmm? A strange wind has begun to blow. I have a feeling that something wicked is coming," said the tortoise as it pulled its head into its carapace. "There are rocky mountains far beyond the other end of this lake. Can you see them? The fourth peak from the top of the highest mountain in the middle. Go there."

The dove took a look towards the mountains off in the distance. There was a rugged, blurred silhouette.
"

Come what may," the tortoise said, "believe. Believe whatever it may be. I'd rather believe in this impregnable carapace of mine than a magic fruit."