Tortoise was hungry. He said to himself, “I must build a trap. Then I can catch an animal for food.” Tortoise caught Antelope in his trap. But he could not lift Antelope out of his trap. Tortoise called all the animals to come to a dance.
Big Ox came to the dance. When Tortoise saw Big Ox he said, “Big Ox will you help me get Antelope out of my trap?” “Certainly, I will help you,” said Big Ox. Big Ox brought Antelope to Tortoise’s house. They cut up Antelope. “We need some water,” said Tortoise. “Big Ox will you go and get some water?” “Certainly, I will get some water,” said Big Ox. “Now,” said Tortoise “will you be kind enough to put the water and the meat into the pots and cook the meat?” “Certainly, I will be glad to cook the meat,” said Big Ox.
When the meat was cooked, Tortoise took a piece and said to Big Ox: “This piece is for you.” “Thank you,” said Big Ox. “You must go into the forest and get some big leaves to wrap up the meat,” said Tortoise. Big Ox went to the forest to get some big leaves.
Tortoise put all the meat into his house. He was not going to give his meat to anyone. Big Ox came back with the leaves. “Tortoise, where is my meat?” “No, No. The meat is all mine.” “I got Antelope out of your trap,” said Big Ox. “I got water for you and cooked the meat. Now you will not give me any meat to eat. I will go and break your trap.”
Tortoise had set the trap with the rope. When Big Ox put his head into the trap, he was caught by the rope and killed. When Tortoise saw Big Ox in his trap, he laughed, “Big Ox should have been more careful.” But Tortoise could not lift Big Ox out of his trap. Tortoise called all the animals to come to a dance. Leopard came to the dance.
Tortoise saw Leopard and said: “Leopard, will you help me get Big Ox out of my trap?” “Certainly, I will help you,” said Leopard.
Leopard brought Big Ox to Tortoise’s house. He cut up Big Ox. “We need some water,” said Tortoise. “Leopard, will you go and get some water?” “Certainly, I will get some water,” said Leopard. “Now,” said Tortoise “will you please put the water and the meat into the pots and cook the meat?” “Certainly, I will be glad to cook the meat,” said Leopard.
When the meat was cooked, Tortoise took a big piece of meat and said to Leopard, “This piece of meat is for you.” “Thank you,” said Leopard. “You must go into the forest and get some big leaves to wrap up the meat,” said Tortoise.
Leopard went to the forest to get some big leaves. When Leopard went away, Tortoise took all the meat and put it into his house. He was not going to give his meat to anyone. Leopard came back with the big leaves and said, “Tortoise, where is the meat?” “It is in my house, Leopard.” “Give me my big piece of meat.” “No, No, Leopard. The meat is all mine.”
Leopard was very angry. “I got Big Ox out of your trap for you – said Leopard -. I got water for you. I cooked the meat. Now you will not give me any meat to eat. I will go and break your trap.” “Take care that you do not get caught,” said Tortoise. Leopard could hear Tortoise laughing. Leopard became very, very angry.
Tortoise had set the trap with the rope. He thought he would catch Leopard just as he had caught Big Ox. But Leopard was very smart. He walked all around the trap. He found a big stick and threw it into the trap. The rope caught the big stick and broke it. “You thought you could catch me, Tortoise, but I have fooled you.” Then Leopard lay down in the broken trap. He put the rope around his neck. He looked as if he had been killed.
Tortoise found Leopard in his broken trap. He laughed and laughed. “You always thought you were so smart, Leopard. But you were not careful and now you are dead.” Tortoise slowly crawled down into the trap. “I am smarter than you, Leopard” said Tortoise “I have caught you in my trap. Now I will spit upon you.” Leopard opened his eyes. He bit off Tortoise’s head. Then Leopard went to Tortoise’s house and ate all the meat.
(Folktale from Zambia – Photo credit: CC BY-SA 4.0/Kevstan)
