Long ago, when animals spoke, the birds were invited to a grand feast in the heavens. Ijapa the Tortoise, ever greedy and cunning, begged to join. Each bird plucked a feather and attached it to him so he could fly. Upon arriving, Ijapa craftily told the birds they should each take a new name, choosing 'All of You' for himself. When the hosts served the food, saying it was for 'All of You,' Ijapa claimed every dish, leaving the birds starving. Enraged, the birds reclaimed their feathers, leaving Ijapa stranded in the clouds. To get down, he sent a message to his wife via a parrot to lay out soft materials for his landing. However, the parrot, seeking revenge, told her to lay out stones, hoes, and broken pots. Ijapa jumped, crashing onto the hard surface and shattering his once-smooth back. A medicine man glued the pieces together, but the jagged lines remained forever, giving the tortoise his cracked shell.
Greed and trickery often lead to one's own downfall, and how we treat others eventually comes back to us.
Questions about this story
What is the moral of How Ijapa the Tortoise Got His Shell?
The story teaches that greed and selfishness lead to painful consequences. By tricking the birds, Ijapa lost his friends and suffered a physical injury that changed him forever.
Why did the tortoise name himself 'All of You'?
He used the name as a linguistic trick to steal the food at the celestial feast. When the hosts presented the meal to 'All of You,' he claimed the entire feast for himself based on his new name.
Who is Ijapa in Yoruba folklore?
Ijapa is the quintessential trickster figure in Yoruba storytelling, similar to Anansi in Ashanti culture. He is known for being cunning, lazy, and often motivated by his stomach.
How did the tortoise get back down from the sky?
After the birds took their feathers back, Ijapa had to jump from the clouds. He hoped his wife would provide a soft landing, but a deceptive message led to a hard crash.
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Good night.
