I am going to tell a story. It’s based on animals. I actually did some research so that I will have all details to tell you.
So who’s ready?!!!!! 😃 let’s go there!!
The story of the Leopard 🐆, Tortoise 🐢 and bush Rat 🐀.
At the time of the great famine all the animals were very thin and weak from want of food; but there was one exception, and that was the tortoise and all his family, who were quite fat, and did not seem to suffer at all. Even the leopard was very thin, in spite of the arrangement he had made with the animals to bring him their old grandmothers and mothers for food.
In the early days of the famine (as you will remember) the leopard had killed the mother of the tortoise, in consequence of which the tortoise was very angry with the leopard, and determined if possible to be revenged upon him. The tortoise, who was very clever, had discovered a shallow lake full of fish in the middle of the forest, and every morning he used to go to the lake and, without much trouble, bring back enough food for himself and his family.
One day the leopard met the tortoise and noticed how fat he was. As he was very thin himself he decided to watch the tortoise, so the next morning he hid himself in the long grass near the tortoise’s house and waited very patiently, until at last the tortoise came along quite slowly, carrying a basket which appeared to be very heavy. Then the leopard sprang out, and said to the tortoise:
“What have you got in that basket?”
The tortoise, as he did not want to lose his breakfast, replied that he was carrying firewood back to his home. Unfortunately for the tortoise the leopard had a very acute sense of smell, and knew at once that there was fish in the basket, so he said:
“I know there is fish in there, and I am going to eat it.”
The tortoise, not being in a position to refuse, as he was such a poor creature, said:
“Very well. Let us sit down under this shady tree, and if you will make a fire I will go to my house and get pepper, oil, and salt, and then we will feed together.”
To this the leopard agreed, and began to search about for dry wood, and started the fire. In the meantime the tortoise waddled off to his house, and very soon returned with the pepper, salt, and oil; he also brought a long piece of cane tie-tie, which is very strong. This he put on the ground, and began boiling the fish. Then he said to the leopard:
“While we are waiting for the fish to cook, let us play at tying one another up to a tree. You may tie me up first, and when I say ‘Tighten,’ you must loose the rope, and when I say ‘Loosen,’ you must tighten the rope.”
The leopard, who was very hungry, thought that this game would make the time pass more quickly until the fish was cooked, so he said he would play. The tortoise then stood with his back to the tree and said, “Loosen the rope,” and the leopard, in accordance with the rules of the game, began to tie up the tortoise. Very soon the tortoise shouted out, “Tighten!” and the leopard at once unfastened the tie-tie, and the tortoise was free.
The tortoise then said, “Now, leopard, it is your turn;” so the leopard stood up against the tree and called out to the tortoise to loosen the rope, and the tortoise at once very quickly passed the rope several times round the leopard and got him fast to the tree. Then the leopard said, “Tighten the rope;” but instead of playing the game in accordance with the rules he had laid down, the tortoise ran faster and faster with the rope round the leopard, taking great care, however, to keep out of reach of the leopard’s claws, and very soon had the leopard so securely fastened that it was quite impossible for him to free himself.
All this time the leopard was calling out to the tortoise to let him go, as he was tired of the game; but the tortoise only laughed, and sat down at the fireside and commenced his meal. When he had finished he packed up the remainder of the fish for his family, and prepared to go, but before he started he said to the leopard:
“You killed my mother and now you want to take my fish. It is not likely that I am going to the lake to get fish for you, so I shall leave you here to starve.”
He then threw the remains of the pepper and salt into the leopard’s eyes and quietly went on his way, leaving the leopard roaring with pain.
All that day and throughout the night the leopard was calling out for some one to release him, and vowing all sorts of vengeance on the tortoise; but no one came, as the people and animals of the forest do not like to hear the leopard’s voice.
In the morning, when the animals began to go about to get their food, the leopard called out to every one he saw to come and untie him, but they all refused, as they knew that if they did so the leopard would most likely kill them at once and eat them. At last a bush rat came near and saw the leopard tied up to the tree and asked him what was the matter, so the leopard told him that he had been playing a game of “tight” and “loose” with the tortoise, and that he had tied him up and left him there to starve.
The leopard then implored the bush rat to cut the ropes with his sharp teeth. The bush rat was very sorry for the leopard; but at the same time he knew that, if he let the leopard go, he would most likely be killed and eaten, so he hesitated, and said that he did not quite see his way to cutting the ropes. But this bush rat, being rather kind-hearted, and having had some experience of traps himself, could sympathise with the leopard in his uncomfortable position.
He therefore thought for a time, and then hit upon a plan. He first started to dig a hole under the tree, quite regardless of the leopard’s cries. When he had finished the hole he came out and cut one of the ropes, and immediately ran into his hole, and waited there to see what would happen; but although the leopard struggled frantically, he could not get loose, as the tortoise had tied him up so fast.
After a time, when he saw that there was no danger, the bush rat crept out again and very carefully bit through another rope, and then retired to his hole as before. Again nothing happened, and he began to feel more confidence, so he bit several strands through one after the other until at last the leopard was free.
The leopard, who was ravenous with hunger, instead of being grateful to the bush rat, because he was free, made a dash at the bush rat with his big paw, but just missed him, as the bush rat had dived for his hole; but he was not quite quick enough to escape altogether, and the leopard’s sharp claws scored his back and left marks which he carried to his grave.
Ever since then the bush rats have had white spots on their skins, which represent the marks of the leopard’s claws.
Moral lesson 💐
Remember the law of Karma. Whatever you do will surely come back to you. Because of the leopard’s wickedness to the family of the tortoise, the tortoise was determined to take revenge. So whatever you do whether good or bad will surely bounce back to you.
And also, be careful of people you want to help in this life. Some might have evil intentions for you, even though your mind is clean towards them. Look at the Bush rat trying to help the leopard. The leopard, instead of being grateful, tried to kill the Bush Rat. So whoever you want to help or assist in life, you have to be wise and knowledgeable. Not everyone has good intentions towards you, even if you have good intentions towards them, you might be bitterly betrayed. Be wise.
I hope you enjoyed it? 😃 it’s just a way to have fun and also know more about the belief of my culture.
When I was a child, my parents used to tell me and my siblings/relatives a lot of these stories. So I just decided to let you share in the fun.
I will try to write some folktales from my own personal experiences.
I think I will try to be posting some folktales periodically. Have a great day ahead! 💐❤️🌹
Nice story! Thank you for sharing ☺❤☺💜
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Thanks so much for reading 💐💐🤗
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No problem 💕 💕 I love reading your posts!
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🤗🤗Phoenix!!💐💐
How are your lovely cats? ✨
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Great, thanks!
❤️ ❤️ ❤️
I’m starting to take Phoenix’s sis outside but she’s soooo scared!
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😃
😂😂I guess Phoenix sis want to be indoors. She believes it’s more secure.
Maybe if you try taking Phoenix along with his sister, she might not be so scared
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Yes.
Problem is, Phoenix gets scared sometimes himself 😂
If there’s a small breeze or a leaf moves then he’s off!
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😂😂small breeze?🤣🤣🤣
Wow, if Phoenix is scared, how will his sister not be?
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😂😂😂
Yeah…
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Great post Vincent. I used to love folk tales when I was a child. Thank you!
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😃thanks so much!
That’s fantastic. I also love folktales, they are just so relatable and interesting.
And the moral lessons always stick. I’m glad you loved this post. I will try to post as many folktale/fable as I can 😃
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Nice story Vincent. Thank you for sharing the story with us 🙂 🙂
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Thanks so much for reading 🤗
I’m glad you loves the story.
How are you doing? 😃
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My Pleasure Vincent. I am doing well. How about you?
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It’s great to know that you are doing well.
I’m also doing great. I haven’t been feeling too well, but now I’m okay 👌
And I’m trying to learn new stuffs 🤗
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Oh hope you are feeling better now. Take care of your health. What new stuff are you learning?
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Yes, I’m actually doing fine now, thanks for your concern. 🤗
I’m learning kinetic typography, videography and stuffs related to videos.
I’m think of starting videos also, like motivational videos
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Very Nice 🙂 All the best with your new venture. I am sure you will come out with flying colors 🙂 🙂
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Thanks so much for your nice wishes.
Yes, as I’m learning, I will be updating you and everyone
So that we will all come out In flying colors 🌈
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😊😊 Nice. Have a nice day Vincent 🙂🙂
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I sure will Smile 🤗
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🙂 🙂
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I love folktales. I used to read them when i was little. It’s always about the Tortoise 😂
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😃that’s fantastic
😂😂😂😂it’s always about the tortoise
I’m glad you loved this. 💐🤗
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It was a wonderful story!! 🤩
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Thanks so much Aathmana for reading
Which folktale is your favorite?😃
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Important lesson! Thank you for sharing!
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Thanks so much for reading and your heartfelt comment 🤗💐💐
I’m glad you learnt something valuable
How are you doing
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I am doing fine. 🙂
How are you doing?
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That’s great to hear.
I’m trying to do something new and effective. Like learning new stuffs 🤗
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That’s great! Learning new stuff is good!
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Yes, and one of these days, I will post stuffs of what I’ve learnt
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I look forward to read your posts!
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✨✨✨🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗✨✨✨✨🤗🤗🤗🤗✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
You’ve made butterflies fly in my head (not stomach)😂😂😂😂😂😂
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😂😂😂😂😂
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😅
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A wonderful post Vincent!😃😺
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😃thanks so much!!!
How’s Murphy? 😃
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I meant Muffin 💐
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I thought so! I won’t tell her about the mistake,😾😾 she was looking over my shoulder just now though! She’s doing fine, happy that it’s warm enough to have windows open finally!😺That means my feet are much happier too!😂😹😼
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😂😂yeah, thanks for not telling her
I’m glad she’s doing well. Yeah, I’m happy that she’s happy 😹
And it’s nice to know your feet are much happier 😹😹😹😹
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Yep, when Muffin is happy, my feet are happy, which makes me happy that everyone is happy so we’re all happy to be happy.😹😂 I think.🤔😳🙄
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😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
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Me too.😜😜😂
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Nice one there! 😂
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Thank you! Sign autographs later.😂🤪😂😜😂🙄
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😂😂
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Nice post Vincent!! How are you doing??😊😊
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Curious! 😃I’m doing great thanks
I hope you are also doing good?!?😃
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I am doing well ☺️
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Wonderful! 💐
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💐💐💐
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Wow! Great story, Vincent! 👍
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😃I will always cherish your encouragement. Always.💐
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😊
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Thank you for the story, Vincent! I love fables. 🤗
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I’m glad you love it! That’s great. I will try to post more interesting fables often 💐
I hope you are doing great Anisha? 😃
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I’m quite excited now to read more fables from your blog!
I’m doing great. Thank you! How have you been?
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Yes, and I’m excited to make more posts about them!
That’s wonderful to hear. I’ve been doing well, just trying to learn new stuffs every-time
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That’s a great way to invest your time! Have a nice week ahead, Vincent!
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Thanks 😊
I will, and you too. Have a positive week
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Thank you! 😊
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🤗🤗🤗🤗you are welcome
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Lovely story. The tortoise is always cunning. Thanks for sharing.
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Yes, thanks 🙏 I’m glad you loved it
😂😂yes you are right, and I don’t know if I’m the only one, but whenever I see the tortoise been dealt with in a story, I’m always happy 😂😂
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Oh please do, I can’t have enough of folktales 😊
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😅I sure will!
Anticipate💐
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Death, starvation, lying, attempted murder — I love bedtime stories!
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😅😅😅yeah
And I will sure post a lot of them here
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Loved this story! Just like our Caribbean Anansi stories! Have you read Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe?
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😃that’s great!
😂😂yeah, I guess so
Things fall apart! Surprisingly, after hearing about it like a million times, I haven’t even read it.
And now that you’ve reminded me, I will go check it out in my brother’s library 😃
People acted as spoilers for the book and I wasn’t pushed to read it again 😂
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Chinua Achebe has written some amazing books including ‘Things Fall Apart,’ ‘Arrow of God,’ and ‘Anthills of the Savannah.’ Check them all out bro! Blessings to you Brother! 😃🙏💛
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🙏🙏I will screenshot this so that I wouldn’t miss them.
Thanks for the suggestions bro🙏
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Your welcome bro. Start with Anthills of the Savannah as it’s one of his first books I believe and one of his shortest too! 😃🙏💛
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Oh okay. Anthills of the Savannah.
I will download that one also. I believe it should be online.
I really appreciate your concern and suggestions once again Darell 🙏
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Your welcome Vincent! Blessings brother! 😃🙏💛
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🙏😃😊✨✨✨
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Nice 👍
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🤗thanks 🤗
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Reading stories is always fun and i am loving this new experiment of yours with stories. Keep writing more, looking forward to reading more from you Vincent 🙂
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Thanks so much Nilesh 🤗
I’m so happy that you Love reading stories
I will try my best to post nice stories 🙏
Thanks 😊
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