The Legend of Kachhuāmai: The Flying Turtle (2024)

Tiny Tales From the Heart – A monthly column that presents the world as seen through the eyes of Desi kids.

Writing anchors the mind, heals the heart and frees the spirit, yet in a fast-paced world that devours TikTok, Netflix, and Tweets, it is also an art that kids often steer away from. As an author, essayist, and creative writing teacher who has experienced firsthand the power of writing, I am passionate about helping kids unearth the magic of penning stories.

This monthly column features the work of my students aged 9-13. Kids are innately imaginative and compassionate, and when given a gentle nudge, build worlds where goodness reigns. Their stories warm my heart. By giving them the space to share their thoughts, I hope to empower them to delve deep and tap into the power of creating and writing. Hope you enjoy their stories as much as I do.

The first story in our series, by Nandhana Ramesh, was written in a workshop where kids created their own mythological creatures and wove them into their stories.

Prompt: If you could create your own mythical creature, what kind of creature would it be? Would it be big or small? Would it be a combination of two animals or more? Would it have superpowers? Where would it live? What would it eat?

The Legend of Kachhuāmai: The Flying Turtle

One misty winter day, Bārnāra prowled the dark and deep jungles of Bengal. He looked for food day and night, but the jungles seemed empty. The truth was, all the animals, even the smallest bugs, were hiding from him. A demon, Bārnāra, was not very clever and didn’t have the greatest eyesight. However, he was almost invincible because of his strength, size, and fire powers. Today, he was so mad that he leaped from the jungles all the way to the mountains until he landed in the cold and icy Himalayas.

Bārnāra almost froze when he reached the Himalayas, due to the frigidness, but he radiated so much heat that the mountain under him turned green and wet. Under that mountain was Kachhuāmai.

Kachhuāmai was a golden turtle with regal wings that stretched to the sky. He had sharp eagle claws. He was known to be very wise, and many people came to him with questions. However, for unknown reasons, Kachhuāmai only revealed himself on the first day of winter every year. Coincidentally, today was the first day of winter. Kachhuāmai was also very powerful, and his voice could lull anyone to sleep.

Kachhuāmai was peacefully meditating under the mountain when he suddenly felt a thud and a blast of heat outside of the mountain. He came out from under the mountain and flew upward, toward Bārnāra. Bārnāra didn’t notice Kachhuāmai until he felt a sudden wind from the beating of his wings.

Bārnāra turned around and gave him a cruel smile. “Finally, my meal has arrived,” he growled.

Kachhuāmai smiled serenely and said, “Naturally, you being a nearsighted demon, have mistaken me for food, but truthfully, I am your worst nightmare.”

Bārnāra roared with anger. “How dare you insult me, little turtle? Do you even know who I am?”

Kachhuāmai laughed and said, “Of course, I know who you are! I have heard of you from many travelers seeking my help on how to defeat you, but finally, you have come into my own hands.”

As Kachhuāmai talked, the demon felt a strong sensation that he had to sleep. He began to crumble to the ground, but the heat from his own body made his eyes snap open. He glared at Kachhuāmai. “I see what you are doing,” he growled. He shot a blast of fire at Kachhuāmai. Kachhuāmai danced and flew around, nimbly avoiding the fire. Bārnāra’s powers were not as strong in the cold Himalayas. While dodging the fire, Kachhuāmai sang a lullaby, which was so strong that Bārnāra finally fell to the ground in a trance.

Nandhana Ramesh, the author of the story, goes to J. M. Robinson Middle School in Charlotte, NC. She has a wide-ranging list of hobbies, including baking, reading, biking, and playing the piano. In the future, she hopes to expand on these passions and turn them into something that can help the world around her. She thinks art, including writing, has the potential to inspire and change us and our peers, beyond what many think.

Vidya Murlidhar is a children’s book author, essayist, and teacher who lives in Charlotte, NC.

Related

The Legend of Kachhuāmai: The Flying Turtle (2024)

FAQs

What is the answer to the question "Are you a turtle?"? ›

Once inducted, a member must reply to the question, "Are you a turtle?" with "You bet your sweet ass I am". Otherwise, the member must buy the questioner a drink. By showing the card, Haney was required to answer over an open microphone during the first Apollo telecast.

How does the turtle help the woman who fell from the sky? ›

These animals helped to create the Earth: when Sky Woman fell from the the floating island in the sky into the ocean, a giant sea turtle agreed to carry her on his back, and birds gave Sky Woman soil so she could create Earth on the turtle's back, and plant seeds.

Who is the flying turtle? ›

Kachhuāmai was a golden turtle with regal wings that stretched to the sky. He had sharp eagle claws. He was known to be very wise, and many people came to him with questions. However, for unknown reasons, Kachhuāmai only revealed himself on the first day of winter every year.

When did the turtle let go of the stick? ›

At last, Turtle lost his temper. He forgot to keep his mouth closed. Turtle yelled, “Tell me where we . . .” When he yelled, the stick fell out of his mouth.

What is the turtle short answer? ›

Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines that have bodies encased in bony shells. There are more than 350 species of turtles.

What is the turtle question answer computer? ›

The "turtle" is an imaginary pen that is given drawing commands, such as go forward and turn right. On screen, the turtle is shaped like a triangle.

What is the moral lesson of the turtle who wanted to fly? ›

The Moral: Nothing can be either safe, or easy, that's unnatural. Source: Sir Roger L'Estrange, Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: With Morals and Reflexions, (London, 1692), no. 220, pp. 192-93.

How does the turtle help the woman who fell from the sky quizlet? ›

How did the animals help the woman who fell from the sky? The birds made a great feathery raft to break her fall. Then the giant sea turtle carried her on his back.

What is the lesson of the turtle? ›

Slow and steady wins the race. Don't give up hope. Keep a hard shell. Come up for air.

Is turtle a boy? ›

To reliably use shell size as a factor in determining the gender of a turtle, the turtle must have reached its adult size. The bottom of a turtle's shell (called the plastron) is also used as an indicator for determining gender. Male turtles have a concave (curved in) plastron while females have a flat one.

Who was the girl turtle? ›

Venus de Milo (often shortened to simply Venus, and later known as Bonnie) is a fictional superheroine within the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise.

Can a turtle fly? ›

Sea turtles appear to fly as they swim beneath ocean waves. With long, gray-green flippers that move like slow wingbeats, they glide through the water as birds do through the sky. Actually flying through the air, though, at 10,000 feet above the ground, the reptiles seem anything but graceful.

Do turtles let go when they bite? ›

They have no desire to attack you unless you provoke them. Myth: If a turtle bites you, it won't let go until it thunders. Fact: If a turtle bites you, it could care less about thunder.

What is the moral of the turtle who couldn't stop talking? ›

The author would probably say the moral is to think before you talk and get yourself in trouble. But he makes the turtle a female which kinda aims the story in the direction of women talk too much. Either way, you can't put your foot in your mouth if you keep it closed.

What does the phrase "Are you a turtle" mean? ›

Turtles🐢🐢 have a reputation of moving very slowly perhaps taking their time,they are in no hurry 🤭So usually when someone calls another person a turtle they say it referring to how slow they are.Like my mother has always been so slow at everything she does shes just lives her life at this really slow, laid back not in ...

What if someone calls you turtle? ›

Someone might also be called an awkward turtle if they are seen as quirky or clumsy. This is usually not done in a mean way, but rather in a loving, playful way—an embrace of nerd-dom and imperfection.

What does "turtle" mean in slang? ›

In answer to your question, Pranab Das's question: "What is turtle slang for?":- It means that they think you block too much instead of punching back. You crunch yourself up, hiding in your protective "shell", hence "turtling". It can be annoying if someone holds guard for most of the match and barely fights.

What is the saying about the turtle? ›

"Turtles all the way down" is an expression of the problem of infinite regress. The saying alludes to the mythological idea of a World Turtle that supports a flat Earth on its back.

Top Articles
Mashed potatoes or stuffing? Most popular Thanksgiving side dish in U.S., Ohio revealed
Humid Heat: Hidden but Hazardous
Rubratings Tampa
Somboun Asian Market
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS - Skyway Classics
Terraria Enchanting
biBERK Business Insurance Provides Essential Insights on Liquor Store Risk Management and Insurance Considerations
Wordscape 5832
Restaurants Near Paramount Theater Cedar Rapids
Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE Review
Mani Pedi Walk Ins Near Me
Xomissmandi
Moving Sales Craigslist
Nevermore: What Doesn't Kill
Nearest Walgreens Or Cvs Near Me
Blue Rain Lubbock
Isaidup
Baja Boats For Sale On Craigslist
Pocono Recird Obits
Renfield Showtimes Near Paragon Theaters - Coral Square
Bolsa Feels Bad For Sancho's Loss.
Timeline of the September 11 Attacks
Will there be a The Tower season 4? Latest news and speculation
Tripcheck Oregon Map
Obsidian Guard's Skullsplitter
134 Paige St. Owego Ny
Diggy Battlefield Of Gods
Egg Crutch Glove Envelope
Worlds Hardest Game Tyrone
Makemkv Key April 2023
Selfservice Bright Lending
Unity Webgl Player Drift Hunters
Mta Bus Forums
Ktbs Payroll Login
Gvod 6014
Sam's Club Gas Prices Florence Sc
Craigslist Pa Altoona
Sukihana Backshots
Pokemon Reborn Gyms
Nina Flowers
Former Employees
Random Animal Hybrid Generator Wheel
20 Mr. Miyagi Inspirational Quotes For Wisdom
The Sports Academy - 101 Glenwest Drive, Glen Carbon, Illinois 62034 - Guide
The Bold and the Beautiful
bot .com Project by super soph
Www Pig11 Net
Enjoy Piggie Pie Crossword Clue
Dietary Extras Given Crossword Clue
Walmart Front Door Wreaths
Tanger Outlets Sevierville Directory Map
Affidea ExpressCare - Affidea Ireland
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Duncan Muller

Last Updated:

Views: 6175

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Duncan Muller

Birthday: 1997-01-13

Address: Apt. 505 914 Phillip Crossroad, O'Konborough, NV 62411

Phone: +8555305800947

Job: Construction Agent

Hobby: Shopping, Table tennis, Snowboarding, Rafting, Motor sports, Homebrewing, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Duncan Muller, I am a enchanting, good, gentle, modern, tasty, nice, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.