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The Tortoise and the Pot of Porridge
A Folktale from Western Nigeria
Once upon a time, the tortoise used to follow a set of children to visit an elderly woman who lived in a remote village.
One day, the children were invited by the woman to spend the night with her. The tortoise decided also to go with them.
The woman entertained the children with songs and stories.
Everyone was excited as they volunteered to help the woman do her house chores.
While some swept, others were busy dusting, cleaning and washing.
After the activities, everyone was tired because the woman's compound was large.
The woman then presented the children with plates of porridge in appreciation of their efforts. The porridge was delicious and everyone asked for more. The old woman made sure everyone was satisfied.
But the tortoise, even though was given extra, was not happy after all.
While everyone slept, the tortoise went secretly to the kitchen where the pot of porridge was kept.
He sat down and started eating.
The sound of the cover of the pot woke up the old woman who thought a thief had entered the house. She went into the kitchen with a pestle and started hitting the tortoise on his back.
At first, the tortoise did not say a word, but when the woman had already broken his backbone, he had to voice out that it was him.
All the children later woke up and blamed the tortoise for his behavior.
The tortoise had to return home with a broken back. That is why, till today, the back of the tortoise remains broken, and he has to walk slowly.
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