First, it is important to note that this is a "carnival parade," a costumed procession. And what does the tortoise on the float portray? A dancer in a frilly dress, vigorously performing the French cancan with its short legs – though one might imagine it impossible to lift them high. The main point of this piece is to evoke laughter from the onlookers. The hidden theme, slowed down to the pace of a tortoise's walk, is derived from Offenbach's operetta Orpheus in the Underworld, famously known in Japan by its title "Heaven and Hell." While some cynical interpretations suggest it criticizes Offenbach, such a deep consideration is likely unnecessary. This is because, at the time, there was a significant difference in status between opera and operetta, forming a completely segmented industry. Saint-Saëns, however, had no interest in popular operettas, aspiring solely to success in opera.