The story features an old Turtle, humorously nicknamed Tortoise, who teaches a group of characters including Alice. The Mock Turtle explains that they call him Tortoise because he was their teacher, which makes Alice question the nickname. The Mock Turtle responds angrily, implying Alice's question is very naive, and the Gryphon chimes in, criticizing her for asking such a simple question.

The master was an old Turtle--we used to call him Tortoise--'Why did you call him Tortoise, if he wasn't one?' Alice asks. The Mock Turtle's reply and the Gryphon's comment highlight the whimsical and absurd nature of the conversations in the story, leaving Alice feeling overwhelmed and embarrassed by her perceived ignorance.