West African FolkloreYoruba Tales

The Tortoise and the Birds

A greedy tortoise tricks birds for a sky feast but learns a painful, shell-shattering lesson.

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Illustration for The Tortoise and the Birds - a yoruba tales West African Folklore story with moral lessons

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Story Summary

In the classic Yoruba tale The Tortoise and the Birds, a greedy tortoise tricks his friends to feast in the sky, only to face a crashing, shell-shattering fall.

During a great famine, the birds were invited to a magnificent feast in the sky. Ijapa the tortoise, starving and clever, convinced the birds to let him join them. Because he could not fly, each bird contributed a single feather, allowing him to craft a pair of multicolored wings. Before they arrived, the tortoise suggested they all take new names for the occasion. He chose the name 'All of You.' When the celestial hosts presented a lavish spread of food, they announced, 'This feast is for all of you.' Ijapa stepped forward and ate every morsel, claiming the food was specifically for him. Enraged by his greed, the birds reclaimed their feathers one by one, leaving the tortoise stranded. With no wings, he plummeted from the heavens. He crashed onto the hard, rocky ground, shattering his once-smooth shell into dozens of pieces. A local healer patched him back together, but the jagged cracks remained forever as a reminder of his selfishness.

The Moral

Greed and trickery may bring temporary gain, but they ultimately lead to isolation and a great fall.

“He who takes everything for himself must eventually find his own way down.”

Fun Fact

In Yoruba culture, the tortoise (Ijapa) is the protagonist of many 'alo' (folktales) used to teach children social values and consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of The Tortoise and the Birds?

The moral is that greed and selfishness lead to one's downfall. By trying to take everything for himself, the tortoise lost the friendship and help of the birds, resulting in his own injury.

Why does the tortoise have a cracked shell according to the story?

The tortoise's shell is cracked because he fell from the sky onto the hard ground. After the birds took back their feathers, he had no way to fly down and shattered his shell upon impact.

What name did the tortoise choose for the feast?

The tortoise chose the name 'All of You.' This allowed him to trick the hosts into giving him all the food when they said the feast was intended for 'all of you.'

How did the tortoise get to the sky to join the birds?

He persuaded each bird to lend him one feather. He stuck these feathers to his body to create makeshift wings so he could fly up to the celestial feast.

Who is the tortoise in Yoruba folklore?

In Yoruba tradition, the tortoise is named Ijapa. He is a classic trickster figure, much like Anansi the spider, known for being both incredibly clever and dangerously greedy.

What happened to the birds at the end of the story?

The birds took back their feathers and flew home, leaving the tortoise to face the consequences of his actions alone. They were no longer willing to help a friend who had betrayed them.