Home > Mind , Body & Soul > Grandma stories >The story of the elephant and the tortoise A long time ago, there lived a hot-tempered saint called Rishi Vibhavasu. He had a younger brother Suprateek who was a great ascetic. Suprateek did not want his brother to take care of his share of the ancestral property. So he asked for his share to be separated and granted to him.

Vibhavasu told him that it was only greed that has urged to ask for property divisions. He said that dividing the property will make enemies of brothers. He pointed out that this would enable their enemies to easily point out faults and make bitter enemies of friends.

Rishi Vibhavasu warned his younger brother that the moment two brothers separated, half their goodness died because then they ceased to look after the welfare of each other. He said, "This is why, sages have considered property divisions to be detrimental to the wellbeing of good people. People who do not follow the good advice of the ancient text and sages have a miserable life. You want to separate because you have become greedy about the money and property. So, I curse you to become an elephant in your next life."

Hearing this Suprateek too lost his temper and cursed his brother, "If I become an elephant, then you shall be born as a tortoise!"

This is how the two brothers turned into enemies due to greed and were born as elephant and tortoise.