Water, Elephant and Turtle Short African Fable Story
Why Turtles love rain and live in water is a truly captivating African folktale. African folktales are stories forming part of an oral storytelling tradition shaped by the tongues of African elders passed down from one generation to the next.
Water, Elephant and Turtle
Short African Story
Two superpowers,
Elephant and Rain had a dispute.
Elephant said, “If
you say that you nourish me, in what way is it that you do so?”
Rain answered,
"If you say that I do not nourish you when I go away, will you not die?” Hurt,
Rain then left.
Elephant said,
"Vulture! Go tell Rain to make rain for me."
Vulture said, “I
will not."
Then Elephant said to
Crow, “Go tell Rain to make rain for me!” who answered, “Give the things and I will
ask."
Crow summoned Rain
and rain fell. It rained at the lagoons, but they dried up, and only one lagoon
remained.
Elephant needed to
find food; he summoned Turtle to watch over the only remaining watering hole.
Elephant said,
"Turtle, remain at the water!" So, Turtle was left behind when
Elephant went hunting for food.
There came Giraffe,
and said to Turtle, *' Give me water! “Turtle answered, “The water belongs to
Elephant."
There came Zebra,
who said to Turtle, “Give me water!” Turtle answered, " The water belongs
to Elephant."
There came
Wildebeest, and said, “Give me water!” Turtle said, “The water belongs to
Elephant."
There came Goat, and
said to Turtle, “Give me water!” Turtle answered, “The water belongs to
Elephant."
There came Jackal,
and said to Turtle, “Give me water!” Turtle said, “The water belongs to
Elephant."
There came Lion, and
said, “Turtle, give me water!” When Turtle was about to say something, Lion got
hold of him and beat him; Lion drank all of the water.
When Elephant came
back from hunting, he said, "Turtle, where is my water?” Turtle answered, “The
animals have drunk the water."
Elephant asked,
"Turtle, shall I chew you or swallow you whole?” Turtle said, "Swallow
me, if you please!” and Elephant then swallowed him whole.
After Elephant had
swallowed Turtle, and entered his body, he tore Elephant’s liver, heart, and
kidneys to shreds. Elephant said, "Turtle, you killed me!"
So Elephant died but
Turtle came out of his dead body alive and well.
Rain was pleased
with the cunning of Turtle, he filled all the rivers and lakes to overflowing
allowing Turtle to live in his waters forever.
Have you ever wondered
Why you do not tell the person who is carrying you that he stinks? Well, read this true African proverb quote.
Why you do not tell the person who is carrying you that he stinks? Well, read this true African proverb quote.
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