YORUBA FOLKTALES: Tortoise (Ijapa) and the Elephant
Long ago in the animal kingdom of Agodo, animals lived in peace and harmony, and they could all talk like human beings. The kingdom was ruled by the lion and the animals so much loved his reign. But there was a time the lion fell sick. The sickness was so bad that Karatu, the great herbalist that lived in the jungle, had to be consulted. Karatu said the king could only get well if he drink a concoction made from elephant body parts. In the kingdom of Agodo, the elephant was a big bully and tyrant, the animals never loved him and were also scared of him because of his size and strength. When the king’s subjects asked the animals who could capture the elephant, there was no response. The king then managed to speak, he said, “ I will give anyone who capture the elephant half of the kingdom and my beautiful daughter to marry “. Hearing this, the tortoise stepped forward and pledged to bring the elephant. The king’s subjects were happy and wished him succes...