In the days when animals and humans shared the forests and rivers of Equatorial Guinea, cunning was often a weapon sharper than claws or teeth. Among all creatures, none was slyer than Kudu, the tortoise. His lies and trickery would one day bring laughter to some, grief to others, and finally doom to himself. This is the tale of how Kudu’s deceit unfolded.
One day, Nja the Leopard went into the forest to cut an itutu tree, a tall bamboo-palm, for palm wine. With practiced skill, he carved a cavity near the top, fastened a bowl to collect the sweet sap, and returned to his town.
Not long after, Kudu the Tortoise happened upon the palm wine tree. Delighted, he climbed to the top and found the bowl already brimming with sap. He drank three full cups, the sweetness filling his belly. Drunk with pleasure, he foolishly shouted, “I’m drunk! I’m drunk!”
Etoli the Rat, wandering nearby, heard the cries and followed the sound. Seeing Kudu, he asked, “Whose palm tree is this?”
Kudu puffed himself up and lied, “It is mine!”
“Then share some with me, my friend,” begged Etoli.
“Climb up! What are you afraid of?” Kudu answered.
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Etoli climbed, drank two glasses, and licked his whiskers with delight. But soon Kudu’s sharp ears caught the heavy tread of Leopard returning. He whispered quickly to Rat, “Wait here. I’ll be right back.” Then he slid down the tree and hid in a hole at its base.
Moments later, Leopard appeared and looked up. There was Rat perched at the top. “Who owns this palm tree?” Leopard demanded.
Etoli nervously answered, “My friend, Kudu.”
“And where is this Kudu?” Leopard pressed.
Before Rat could reply further, Leopard flung a sharp claw upward. It struck Etoli, who tumbled down lifeless. Carrying Rat’s body home, Leopard told his wife, “Cook this meat. Tonight, we shall eat well.”
As soon as Leopard left, Kudu crept from hiding, climbed again, and drank more wine. Once again, he bellowed, “I’m drunk! I’m drunk!”
This time, Ngomba the Porcupine heard him and approached. “Friend, may I drink too?” he asked.
“Climb up! What are you afraid of?” Kudu replied smoothly.
Ngomba climbed and drank deeply. But again, Leopard’s heavy steps echoed through the forest. “O my stomach pains me!” cried Kudu suddenly. “I must go down!” He scrambled to the ground and disappeared into his hiding place.
Leopard soon arrived, glaring up at Porcupine. “Ngomba, who owns this tree?”
“My friend Kudu,” Porcupine answered.
“And where is this Kudu?” Leopard pressed.
“He has gone, his belly aching,” Porcupine explained.
Leopard snarled. “So, you are the ones draining my palm wine! One day I shall meet this Kudu, and then we will fight.” With that, he hurled another claw, killing Porcupine instantly. Carrying the body home, he commanded his wife to cook the meat.
Again and again, Tortoise returned to drink. Each time he lied and lured another friend into danger. Soon Embonda the Antelope was slain, then others fell to Leopard’s claws. Still, Kudu’s appetite for deceit was not satisfied.
At last, Iheli the Gazelle arrived, cautious but curious. He had brought a bag with him. At the base of the tree he asked, “Who owns this palm tree?”
Kudu lied again, “It is mine, nephew.”
“Then let us drink together,” Gazelle said, climbing halfway.
But once more, Leopard’s bounding steps shook the earth. Kudu cried, “Ah! my stomach hurts! Let me pass, nephew!”
But Gazelle held him back. “No, uncle. We will stay and drink together.”
As Leopard approached, Gazelle, wiser than the others, stuffed Kudu into his bag to protect him. When Leopard arrived and asked, “Who owns this tree?” Gazelle replied calmly, “It belongs to my uncle, Kudu.”
Suspicious, Leopard prepared to climb. But Gazelle delayed, watching carefully. Later, when Gazelle peered into the bag, he discovered only broken eggshells. The truth of Tortoise’s deceit spread quickly. Ngando the Crocodile and the townspeople, angered by his lies, dragged Kudu from hiding.
“Kudu! You deceived us all. Your life ends today,” Crocodile declared.
They tied Tortoise, threw him into a kettle, and killed him. His flesh was divided among the townsfolk, and Crocodile and her people ate. Thus ended the lies of Tortoise.
Moral Lesson
This tale teaches that deceit may bring short-term gain but always ends in ruin. Kudu’s lies cost him his friends, his trust, and ultimately his life. Greed and cunning may outwit others for a time, but truth and justice cannot be hidden forever.
Knowledge Check
Q1: Who were the main characters in “The Lies of Tortoise”?
A: Kudu the Tortoise, Nja the Leopard, Etoli the Rat, Ngomba the Porcupine, Embonda the Antelope, Iheli the Gazelle, and Ngando the Crocodile.
Q2: What tree did Leopard cut to collect palm wine?
A: An itutu tree, also known as a bamboo-palm.
Q3: How did Tortoise trick his friends into drinking?
A: By lying that the palm wine tree belonged to him and urging them to climb.
Q4: What pattern did Leopard follow when he found animals in the tree?
A: He questioned them, then killed them with a claw and carried the bodies home.
Q5: Why did Gazelle bring a bag to the tree?
A: To carry and hide Tortoise, but later discovered the truth of his deceit.
Q6: What is the main lesson of this folktale?
A: Deceit and greed bring destruction, while honesty and integrity sustain life.
Source: Folktale from Equatorial Guinea.
