The Wise Turtle and the Proud Lion

    By Joanna Mae Necesito

    The Wise Turtle and the Proud Lion cover image

    21 Jul, 2024

    a lion walking through a field of grass and trees with clouds in the background and a blue sky with white clouds, fantasy art, an airbrush painting, Chris LaBrooy, highly detailed digital painting

    The lion, the self-proclaimed king, strutted across the savannah. His powerful roar echoed, intimidating every creature in the vicinity.

    a lion and a lioness in a field with trees and clouds in the background, with a blue sky and clouds, fantastic realism, an airbrush painting, Chris LaBrooy, highly detailed digital painting

    Meanwhile, a turtle was slowly making its way across the open plains. Humble and wise, the turtle did not fear the lion's roar.

    a lion and a turtle are standing in the jungle by a pond of water and trees, with a jungle background, sots art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, official art

    One day, both the lion and the turtle found themselves at an oasis. The lion, seeing the turtle, sneered, 'What can a slow creature like you possibly do?'

    a lion and a leopard sitting on a rock in the jungle by a river with a leopard nearby on a sunny day, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, jungle

    The turtle replied calmly, 'I may be slow and small, but I am not weak. Strength comes in many forms, not just physical.'

    a lion is sitting in the water near a tree and bushes and a waterfall with a waterfall in the background, fantasy art, a detailed matte painting, Chris LaBrooy, highly detailed digital painting

    The lion laughed, 'And how will you prove this?' The turtle, with a twinkle in its eye, proposed a race to a distant acacia tree.

    a lion is running through the desert with other lions behind him and a mountain in the background with clouds, furry art, a comic book panel, Chris LaBrooy, official art

    The lion, confident of his victory, agreed. They started the race. The lion sprinted ahead, leaving the turtle behind.

    a lion standing in front of a tree in a desert landscape with birds flying overhead and a bird in the sky, fantasy art, an airbrush painting, Chris LaBrooy, highly detailed digital painting

    However, the lion, in his arrogance, underestimated the scorching heat. Soon, he grew tired and decided to rest under a tree, sure of his victory.

    a lion standing in a field with a sunset in the background and trees in the foreground, with a sky with clouds and a few clouds, sumatraism, a digital rendering, Chris LaBrooy, majestic

    The turtle, on the other hand, continued its slow but steady pace. It did not stop, despite the heat and fatigue.

    a lion and a turtle are sitting in the desert at sunset with a tree in the background and a sun setting, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Dan Mumford, official art

    As the sun began to set, the turtle finally reached the acacia tree. The lion, awaking from his nap, saw the turtle at the finish line.

    a lion and a cub walking in the jungle together, with trees in the background and a sky with clouds, furry art, a storybook illustration, Brothers Hildebrandt, official art

    Shocked, the lion rushed towards the finish line but it was too late. The turtle had won the race.

    a painting of two lions laying in the grass under a tree with birds flying around it and a sunset in the background, fantasy art, an airbrush painting, Chris LaBrooy, highly detailed digital painting

    'You were right, turtle,' the lion admitted, 'Strength isn't just about physical power. It's also about endurance and determination.'

    a lion and a turtle are in the wild together, with a tree in the background and a sky with clouds, lyco art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, storybook illustration

    The wise turtle nodded, 'Remember, lion, humility is a virtue. Never let your pride overshadow your wisdom.'

    The Wise Turtle and the Proud Lion