In the beginning, all the animals lived not far from one another. Among them, Tortoise and Dog shared a settlement of their own, building a small town where their families thrived together. The other great beasts, Leopard, Hippopotamus, Elephant, Ox, and many more, made their home in another place, forming a larger community. For a time, all lived in peace, until hardship came.
Famine struck the region where Tortoise and Dog lived. Food grew scarce, and desperation crept into every household. One morning, Tortoise told Dog, “I will go walking into the forest to seek what I can find.” At daybreak, he set out, hoping at least for mushrooms.
Unbeknownst to him, the animals of the other settlement had a tree of great value: the Bojabi tree, bearing the heavy fruit called Njabi. They had sworn among themselves, “No animal outside our community shall taste the fruit of this tree.” After feasting, they would gather in the nearby prairie to play, leaving the tree under Leopard’s watchful eye.
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As Tortoise wandered, he came upon the mighty tree. Its branches hung heavy, and ripe Njabi fruits had fallen to the ground. His eyes widened. “Erne! Ibele! Abundance of food!” he cried softly, astonished at his fortune. He ate heartily, then filled his travel bag to carry more back to his family.
While he gathered, one heavy fruit fell, striking his back. The pain was sharp, but he muttered stoically, “Ah, the back of an aged man!” refusing to cry out. With his bag full, he returned home. His wife greeted him, worried at his delay. He confessed, “I found a tree belonging to the Tribes-of-all-the-Beasts. Had they seen me, they would have killed me. But now, eat.” He warned, “Do not let Dog see these fruits.”
Yet one of his children ran outside with a Njabi in hand. Dog spotted it and asked, “Who gave you this fruit?” The child answered innocently, “My father brought it from the forest.” That evening, Dog confronted Tortoise. “Chum! We share this town, yet you hide such food from me? Where did you find it?” Tortoise reluctantly shared some fruit but concealed the location, claiming he had wandered through dense forest where mushrooms no longer grew.
Suspicion gnawed at Dog. One night, he crept into Tortoise’s house. Finding his friend’s travel bag, he sprinkled ashes inside and cut holes at the bottom. “When Tortoise goes, I shall follow,” he thought.
At dawn, Tortoise set out. The ashes sifted through the holes, leaving a clear trail. Dog followed, step by step, until he too stood beneath the Bojabi tree.
Startled, Tortoise scolded him. “Who called you here, with your loud howling? Do you know who guards this tree? If a fruit falls and you cry out, both of us will be caught. I cannot run swiftly.” Dog reassured him, “If they seize you, I will rescue you.” Tortoise laughed bitterly. “You, against those beasts of strength?”
As they argued, two heavy fruits struck Tortoise’s back. Though in pain, he repeated calmly, “The hardened skin of an aged man!” Dog marvelled. Soon after, a smaller fruit hit Dog’s head. He howled, “Ow! Ow!” Tortoise shook his head. “Did I not warn you?”
Leopard, hidden in the tree, had been hurling the fruits. When Dog cried out, Leopard leapt down. He ignored Tortoise, chasing Dog with deadly speed. Dog barely escaped, while Tortoise, trembling, hid in a hollow at the tree’s base after a bird whispered, “Hide, Kudu, hide!”
Leopard returned, searched in vain, then gathered fruits and left. Soon the other beasts arrived, having heard Dog’s cries. They found Tortoise and roared, “So! You are the thief! You shall die!” They bound him and carried him to their town, hanging him from a roof to be eaten the next day.
Back home, Dog confessed to Tortoise’s wife, “The Beasts have captured your husband.” Remembering his promise to help, Dog devised a plan. He strung giant snail shells on a cord, so they rattled like bells as he moved. At the Beasts’ Spring, he jingled the shells. The boy sent for water fled in terror. Another, stronger youth came; Dog jingled again, and he too fled. Finally, the whole tribe went together to confront the “thing” at the spring.
Seizing the chance, Dog ran to the village, found Tortoise tied, bit through the rope, and carried him home. When the Beasts returned, they found no monster at the spring, and no prisoner in their town. “Let him be! Kudu has slipped away,” they grumbled.
Time passed. One day, with their wives in the gardens and children at play, Tortoise visited Dog. Though Dog had saved him, Tortoise’s bitterness lingered. He suggested, “Let us shave each other’s foreheads.” Dog agreed. Tortoise shaved Dog first, then said, “Let me shave your neck.” As Dog bent his head, Tortoise slashed deep, severing it. Dog fell dead.
Tortoise butchered the body, boiling the flesh with pepper. As he reached for salt on a high shelf, he climbed stacked chairs. They collapsed, nearly toppling him into the pot. Frightened, he fled.
When Dog’s children returned, Tortoise feigned ignorance. Dog’s wife, finding the pot, wept bitterly when she discovered the truth. Suspicion fell on Tortoise. Even his own wife abandoned him. Fearing justice, he left the town to wander elsewhere.
Moral Lesson
This tale warns that betrayal destroys trust, even among friends. Tortoise’s greed and deceit led not only to Dog’s death but also to his own ruin. Loyalty, when broken, leaves scars that no cleverness can heal.
Knowledge Check
Q1: Who were the main companions in the story?
Tortoise (Kudu) and Dog (Mbwa) shared a town and were central to the tale.
Q2: What was special about the Bojabi tree?
It belonged exclusively to the community of larger beasts and bore the prized Njabi fruit.
Q3: How did Dog discover the tree’s location?
He sabotaged Tortoise’s bag with ashes and holes, following the trail to the tree.
Q4: What role did Leopard play?
Leopard guarded the Bojabi tree and attacked intruders by throwing and chasing.
Q5: Why did Tortoise kill Dog?
Resentful that Dog spoiled his secret and fearing exposure, Tortoise betrayed and murdered him.
Q6: What lesson does the tale teach?
Greed and treachery destroy friendships, while loyalty and honesty protect communities.
Source: Fang folktale, Equatorial Guinea.
