Drought ravaged some animal communities, a long time ago.
It was so intense that, all sources of drinking water dried-up. There was thus need for an alternative water source. This necessitated a major animal congress, where deliberation about different means of providing water came up. Having deliberated for several hours, it was unanimously accepted that a deep well be sunk.
It was also agreed in the meeting that, the well be sunk by community effort i.e. all the animals must be involved in the laborious activity.
Tortoise, however, had purposed not to take part in any of the activities and decided to stay in-door until the well digging was completed.
Tortoise, however, had purposed not to take part in any of the activities and decided to stay in-door until the well digging was completed.
This singular action of the Tortoise angered all the animals and their leader (Lion) decreed that, “the Tortoise is prevented from fetching from the well. This is to be achieved, by the animals taking their turn in succession, in guarding the newly sunk well.
Tortoise in its ‘cunning way’ had designed how to beat all the animals in the seemingly intra-communal war. He had gathered cowries, snail shells and a flute made from paw-paw branch.
Its objective, was to terrify and scare any animal, that is on guard and when such must have gone; he will have unrestricted access and fetch water.
The animals started taking turns and the Rabbit was the first, to be on guard.
The Tortoise waited till the midnight when all had slept, except the Rabbit who was on duty.
Armed with a lot of cowries and shells and other scary instrument, Tortoise came out, headed for the well to fetch water; then he started singing:
Song: If I meet the Elephant on guard today I shall smash it
Chorus: Kandu
If I meet Buffalo
Chorus: Kandu.
Song: Then I’ll add little water, and then little salt, then I shall use it in eating my pap, nicely!
Chorus: Kandu
Song: Nicely, nicely, nicely
Chorus: Kandu.
Alas!, the trick worked as all the animals ran for their dear lives.
The Tortoise continued drinking from the well despite all attempt to stop him until one day when the animals re grouped.
The animals all agreed to use a Dummy instead of taking turn on guard which has been counter productive.
They got a Dummy, rubbed with a super gummy solution got from a tree.
This was placed on guard beside the well and unknown to the Tortoise, what other animals had done.
The Tortoise came out again at midnight, and started singing as usual but to his amazement, the animal on guard refused to run as others had done subsequently.
This action angered the Tortoise, who descended heavily on the Dummy, not knowing there was gum all over the wooden cast.
In a short while, the Tortoise had been glue to the Dummy and this really surprised all other animals the next day.
He was punished and banished from that society and this is reason why Tortoise live under the cave or in water till today.
Lesson: the story teach us to be a good team player.
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