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Eleven Turtle Tales

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Eleven Turtle Tales

By: Pleasant DeSpain
Narrated by: Pleasant DeSpain
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About this listen

 Slow but steady Turtle exhibits wisdom, perseverance, and cunning in these world folktales. Full of adventure that's sure to captivate young listeners, these tales hold meaning for all ages. Turtle is alive with possibilities. Living on land and in the water - and breathing air - Turtle joins these three elements of creation, becoming symbolic of the earth itself. Always clever, always wise, and ever patient, Turtle never fails to find humor in any situation.

For Ages 7 to Adult

©1994 Pleasant DeSpain (P)1995 August House Publishers, Inc. Animals Animals & Nature Anthologies & Short Stories Classics Collections & Anthologies Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths Humorous Fiction Literature & Fiction Witty

Editor reviews

Author and narrator Pleasant DeSpain performs these charming tales from around the globe. Each tale in turn celebrates the turtle. The humble turtle is a famous icon, a symbol of traits such as patience, endurance, self-awareness, wisdom, and adaptability. DeSpain tells these 11 tales in a slow, groovy, and fluid voice. The pace is unhurried and DeSpain’s tone is calmly theatrical. True to the traditional style of folk tale narration, DeSpain performs dialogue in a mocking and exaggerated manner. His voice flirts with and wraps around the mystical background music. The vintage ambience of this performance will please adult listeners. Young listeners will receive a subtle moral and philosophical education while enjoying these humorous and insightful stories.

Critic reviews

"DeSpain is a master storyteller who has remarkable insight." (Robert L. Fulghum)
"If you love critter tales like I do, you're really going to enjoy Eleven Turtle Tales." (Jackie Torrence)
"His stories bring imaginations leaping to life." (The Seattle Times)
All stars
Most relevant
I love traditional stories of clever and cunning animals, especially this collection which comes from all over the world! It’s fascinating to see how the same attributes get given to the same animal throughout many cultures. Are these archetypes created through observation or just through imagining their anthropomorphic features? Can’t wait to read similar themes with trickster characters such as coyote or the spider Anansi.

Great tales for kids and adults alike

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