In the vast African wilderness, where rivers wound through thick forests and great beasts ruled the land, two mighty creatures often clashed, Elephant, king of the land, and Hippopotamus, lord of the river. They were enormous, powerful, and feared by all. Yet, among them lived Tortoise, small in body but quick in wit, who often found himself at odds with Elephant.
Elephant and Tortoise quarreled constantly. Elephant, towering with tusks gleaming and a voice that shook the trees, often mocked Tortoise for his size. “You are but a speck beneath my feet,” he would trumpet. “What power could you possibly have over me?”
Tortoise, though small and slow, never accepted defeat in words. He carried himself with dignity, his patterned shell glinting in the sun, his eyes sharp with cleverness. One day, after a particularly heated quarrel, Tortoise declared boldly, “Elephant, you may think yourself the strongest, but I can drag you into the river with my own strength.”
The forest echoed with laughter as Elephant bellowed. “You? Pull me, the mightiest of beasts, into the water? You are a fool, Tortoise! Your words are as small as your legs.”
But Tortoise only smiled, the corners of his mouth curling in quiet confidence. “Mock me all you wish,” he said. “Tomorrow, I will prove it.”
The next morning, as the sun painted the sky gold, Tortoise set out with a plan. He found a long, sturdy rope made from twisted vines. First, he went to Elephant, who stood proudly at the edge of the forest. “Let us test my words today,” said Tortoise. “Take this rope. I will hold the other end, and I shall pull you into the river.”
Elephant chuckled, thinking this game would end quickly. He wrapped the rope tightly around his thick waist and planted his feet firmly on the ground.
But Tortoise, instead of tying the other end to himself, crept down to the riverbank where Hippopotamus wallowed in the cool water. “Friend Hippopotamus,” Tortoise said slyly, “I challenge you to a contest of strength. Take this rope. I shall stand on land, and you must try to drag me into the river. Let us see who is stronger.”
Hippopotamus, proud and eager, agreed at once. He tied the rope to his massive body, confident that he could yank the little creature into the water with ease.
With the rope stretched taut between them, Tortoise quietly disappeared into the bush, hiding among the trees to watch his plan unfold.
Elephant, believing he was pulling against Tortoise, began to heave with all his might. His muscles bulged, his tusks gleamed, and the earth shook under his weight. But instead of dragging a tiny tortoise, he was battling Hippopotamus.
Meanwhile, Hippopotamus in the river pulled with equal force, thinking he was dragging Tortoise from the land. Water splashed high into the air as he grunted and strained, determined not to lose.
Back and forth they struggled, neither yielding an inch. The rope grew tighter and tighter, creaking under the pressure as both giants exerted their full power. Sweat rolled down Elephant’s sides, and the river churned with Hippopotamus’s thrashing.
Hours passed, and still neither beast could conquer the other. Both were convinced they were fighting against Tortoise, who remained hidden in the bush, chuckling to himself.
Finally, exhausted, Elephant sank to his knees, gasping. Hippopotamus, too, gave up, sinking deeper into the water to rest. At that moment, Tortoise emerged slowly from the forest, his small frame calm and unshaken.
He looked at Elephant, then at Hippopotamus, and laughed heartily. “Well, my mighty friends,” he said, “you see now that I have pulled you both with my strength. For all your size, you could not overcome me.”
The animals around, who had gathered to watch, burst into astonished chatter. They marveled at the tortoise’s cunning, realizing that intelligence, not size, had turned the tide.
Elephant and Hippopotamus, shamed yet too weary to argue, could only glare at the little creature who had outwitted them both.
Moral of the Story
This Nigerian folktale teaches us that cleverness and strategy can outmatch even the greatest physical strength. True power lies not only in muscle, but in the wisdom to use one’s mind.
Knowledge Check
Q1: Who were the main rivals in the story?
A1: The quarrel was between Tortoise and Elephant, though Hippopotamus was also drawn into the contest.
Q2: What challenge did Tortoise make to Elephant?
A2: Tortoise claimed he could pull Elephant into the river.
Q3: How did Tortoise trick both Elephant and Hippopotamus?
A3: He tied them to opposite ends of a rope, making each think they were pulling against him.
Q4: What lesson does this story teach?
A4: That wit and cleverness can overcome even the strongest physical force.
Q5: Where does this folktale originate?
A5: This is a Nigerian folktale.
Q6: Why were Elephant and Hippopotamus exhausted?
A6: They pulled against each other for hours, believing they were battling Tortoise.
Source: Nigerian Folktale
