In the forests of Gabon, the Elephant was the mightiest of all animals. His tusks gleamed like ivory spears, his great ears flapped like sails, and his footsteps shook the earth. Wherever he walked, the smaller creatures made way, for no one dared to challenge his strength. Among them was Tortoise, small and slow, yet known for his quick mind.
One day, Elephant laughed as he watched Tortoise moving slowly through the undergrowth. “Look at you, little one,” he trumpeted. “You are weak, and you crawl while I stride proudly. How can such a small creature matter in a world where strength rules?”
Tortoise raised his head calmly. His shell glistened in the sunlight, and his eyes sparkled with patience. “Elephant, do not mistake size for wisdom,” he replied. “Strength has its place, but cleverness has its victories. Would you like to test which of us is greater?”
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Elephant roared with laughter. “You, challenge me? Your shell is no bigger than my foot. I could crush you with a single step. But I accept your foolish challenge, for it will give me another reason to boast.”
Tortoise thought carefully. He knew that no contest of force could bring him victory. So he planned a trick that would show Elephant the limits of pride. He went to Hippopotamus, who was as strong as Elephant and loved the river more than the forest. Tortoise said to him, “Hippopotamus, Elephant boasts that he is stronger than you. He says he can pull you from the river onto the land.”
Hippopotamus, angered by the insult, agreed to prove his strength. “Tie a rope to my leg, little one,” he said. “I will show Elephant who is master.”
Tortoise then went to Elephant and spoke again. “Elephant, Hippopotamus claims that your strength is nothing compared to his. He says he will pull you into the river like a fallen branch. Will you let him insult you?”
Elephant’s pride swelled like thunder. “Bring me a rope, and I will show Hippopotamus who rules the land.”
So Tortoise tied one end of a long rope to Elephant’s strong leg and the other end to Hippopotamus hidden in the river. Then he hid himself in the tall grass, waiting.
When both Elephant and Hippopotamus began to pull, each believed he was dragging tiny Tortoise. Elephant strained with all his might, shaking the trees around him. Hippopotamus heaved from the depths of the river, sending waves crashing against the shore. Back and forth they pulled, neither able to win. Hours passed, and still the rope held tight.
At last, both giants collapsed in exhaustion. Elephant bellowed, “That little Tortoise is stronger than I imagined! He has pulled me to the edge of my strength.”
Hippopotamus gasped, “Never before have I met such a small creature with such endless power.”
Then Tortoise stepped calmly out of the grass. He bowed low and said, “You see now, Elephant, that size alone does not decide victory. Wisdom guides strength, and without it, even the mighty can be fooled.”
Elephant lowered his head in shame. His pride melted like morning mist. “You have taught me a lesson today, Tortoise. From now on, I will not mock the small, for even the smallest may hold wisdom that the great cannot see.”
And so it became known among the animals that cleverness can overcome brute force. Elephant walked more humbly, and Tortoise carried his shell with quiet pride, for he had proven that wisdom gives true strength.
Moral Lesson :
This Gabonese folktale teaches that pride in strength can blind even the greatest to the value of wisdom. Elephant thought his size made him unbeatable, yet Tortoise used his intelligence to humble him. The lesson is clear: cleverness and humility carry more weight than physical power alone. Respect should be given to all, regardless of size or appearance, for each creature holds its own form of strength.
Knowledge Check
What is the main lesson of The Tortoise Tricks the Elephant?
It teaches that wisdom and humility are stronger than pride and brute strength.How did Tortoise trick Elephant in the story?
He tied Elephant to Hippopotamus with a rope so that both giants pulled against each other, believing they faced Tortoise.Why did Elephant mock Tortoise at the beginning?
Because Elephant believed that size and strength made him greater than smaller animals.What role did Hippopotamus play in the trick?
He unknowingly competed against Elephant, thinking he was pulling against Tortoise.What change did Elephant undergo by the end of the story?
He learned humility and promised never again to mock smaller creatures.Why is The Tortoise Tricks the Elephant an important Gabonese folktale?
Because it reflects the Mpongwe tribe’s value of wisdom, teaching that cleverness can defeat arrogance and pride.
Cultural Origin: Gabonese folktale (Mpongwe Tribe), recorded by Robert H. Nassau in Where Animals Talk: West African Folklore Tales (1914).
