The trick that backfired

In the days when animals lived and spoke like humans, there came a season of great drought. Rivers ran dry, leaves curled under the sun, and the ground cracked like old pottery.

One day, Tortoise overheard the birds whispering excitedly about a grand feast that the Sky Kingdom was preparing. There would be food in abundance roasted yam, ripe fruits, sweet palm wine and more than anyone could eat in a day.

Tortoise, known far and wide for his cunning behaviour, decided he must not be left out. “My friends,” he said to the birds, “take me with you. I cannot fly, but I'm also hungry.”

The birds, moved by pity, each plucked a feather and gave it to him. Tortoise tied the feathers together and made himself a fine pair of wings. Soon, they soared into the sky as one joyful company.

But as they neared the Sky Kingdom, Tortoise cleared his throat and declared, “My friends, for a feast as important as this, each of us must take a new name. My name shall be "All of You.’

The birds laughed, thinking little of it, and chose names of their own.

When the Sky Chief welcomed them, he said, “This feast is prepared for "All of You.”

Quick as lightning, Tortoise rose and said, “That is my name!” He positioned himself at the head of the table and ate until his belly was round, leaving nothing but crumbs for the birds.

When the time came to return, the birds, angry and hungry, took back the feathers they had lent him. Alone and wingless, Tortoise begged for mercy but their hearts were hard.

He called down to his wife on the ground, “Wife, spread soft things beneath me so I may land safely!” But she, not knowing what he meant, gathered hard shells and mortars.

Tortoise fell from the sky and crashed to the earth. His shell shattered into pieces, and though with medicine men patched it together, the cracks remained forever.

Moral: Trickery may bring short pleasure, but it often ends in pain.

Proverb: “He who digs a pit for others may fall into it himself.”