A STORY OF THE FOX, THE LEOPARD AND THE TORTOISE--OYETUNDE OYESIJI

Once upon a time, three friends lived in a jungle; these friends are the fox, the leopard and the ever cunning tortoise.
Everyday, each of these three friends would leave their home to hunt and look for food. Each would later return to base after a hard day’s adventure and tell, in turns, the experience of each and exploits. Sometimes the stories were palatable, sometimes not. Oh! I forgot to add that opportunities abound in the jungle where these animal friends were living; opportunities to live a good life!
And so it happened that on this fateful day the fox, old and ageing, was returning home, then saw a ripe mango fruit on a mango tree but as he was old he could not climb the tree. What can be more frustrating for an hungry person than his inability to have food when it is so near! Despaired and disenchanted, he waited endlessly and impatiently for help!.
Truly, help did come with the sudden appearance of the leopard who yielded to the supplications of the fox for help. According to a deal between them, the fox would give a portion of the sweet fruit to his benefactor as compensation. Unfortunately, Mr. fox reneged on his promise to share the mango fruit with Mr. leopard who assisted him in plucking it. A fight then ensued between them. Of course, the leopard, being a younger animal, obviously more energetic, had an upper hand and would have therefore overpowered the fox. Then came the tortoise, walking slowly and majestically, saw the fighting men and asked ‘why are you two fighting’? Are you not expected to be neigbours? “Each of the fighting two then told his story, one after the other” Is that all? Boomed the tortoise “Yes” the two animals responded, almost simultaneously. “Can I have the mango fruit?, asked the arbitrator.
After giving the fruit to Mr. Tortoise, he looked at the fighters, throwing up the fruit his face beaming with smiles, then gave a verdict;
“Since the two of you can not agree on how to share the mango fruit, I will keep it until further notice …”

That was how the cunning tortoise cleverly dispossessed the two fighting animals of the juicy food, the mango fruit.

Lessons: The foregoing story teaches us not to be greedy and selfish, that we should also always love our neighbours as ourselves and that one should always keep to one’s promises.