The Singing Tortoise

Deep within the vibrant forests of West Africa, a hunter named Kojo discovered a wonder beyond belief: a tortoise that could sing melodies more beautiful than the morning birds. The tortoise looked at the stunned hunter and said, 'I will sing for you, but you must promise never to tell a soul of my gift. If you do, trouble will surely follow.' Kojo agreed, but as he returned to his village, his ego swelled. He hurried to the King’s palace, boasting of a creature that could sing better than the royal choir. Intrigued and skeptical, the King made a decree: 'Bring this tortoise to the court. If it sings, you shall be rewarded with gold; if it remains silent, you shall pay with your life.' Kojo confidently brought the tortoise before the assembly, but the creature remained as still as a stone. No matter how much Kojo pleaded, not a single note emerged. Just as the guards seized the hunter to carry out his sentence, the tortoise finally opened its mouth and sang: 'A man’s big mouth is his own undoing.' Kojo realized too late that some treasures are meant to be kept in the heart, not shared for fame.

“Trouble does not look for man; man looks for trouble.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of The Singing Tortoise?

The moral is that silence is golden and one must keep their promises. It warns that seeking fame through the betrayal of a secret often results in personal ruin.

Where does the story of The Singing Tortoise originate?

This story is a traditional West African folktale, commonly associated with the oral storytelling traditions of the Yoruba and Ashanti peoples.

Why did the tortoise refuse to sing for the King?

The tortoise remained silent to punish the hunter for breaking his solemn vow of secrecy. By waiting until the hunter was about to be punished, the tortoise proved that the hunter’s own words caused his trouble.

Is the tortoise a common character in African folklore?

Yes, the tortoise is a central figure in many African tales, often depicted as a trickster or a wise elder who uses wit to teach moral lessons to humans and other animals.

What does the tortoise symbolize in this story?

In this specific legend, the tortoise symbolizes the weight of a secret and the integrity of nature, which cannot be exploited for human greed or vanity.

What happens to the hunter at the end of the story?

In most versions, the hunter is either executed or deeply disgraced. The tortoise's final song serves as a stinging reminder that his lack of self-control was his ultimate undoing.