The tortoise is an animal known to be a trickster, especially by the Yoruba people, though it has several stories and meaning in other tribes of Nigeria.
A long time ago in Ita-Igbo, there lived a clever but out-of-the-spotlight tortoise named Ologbon. He always had a trick up his shell and was once the champion of the Great Forest games, an annual contest of wit, strength and speed.
Times had changed. The other animals were tired of his old tricks and slow ways. Instead, younger animals cheered for Gbonka the Hare, Pepe the Monkey and Susi the parrot, because they were fast, funny and full of energy. Ologbon was ignored and always gossipped about.
One morning, the Forest Chief, Pa Lion, announced an upcoming event, which would commence in seven days. The winner will be the royal adviser, as well as the leader of the new forest council.
The forest buzzed with excitement and everyone started preparing. Ologbon was not left out. He visited the library tree to read scrolls about puzzles, maps and herbs. Also, he visited the old wise snail and listened to old tales. He fixed his cracked shell and polished it with palm oil until it twinkled like ‘a diamond in the sky.’
Yet others mocked him.
“Old Ologbon thinks he can win?” giggled Pepe
“He will still be crawling by the time the game is over,” chuckled Gbonka
Susi sang: “Once a legend but now too slow, Ologbon should just give up!”
Ologbon did not mind being ridiculed. He saw it as motivation and kept preparing in silence.
At last, the day of the Great Forest Games arrived. The competition was divided into three stages.
First, they had to race through the muddy maze. Second, they had to solve the riddle of the talking tree. Lastly, they had to climb to the wisdom rock.
On getting the signal to proceed, the other contestants zoomed off. Ologbon walked slowly and carefully. He avoided the traps, followed shortcuts and reached the end first. Studying every twist and turn from an old map he found paid off.
Next was the Talking Tree riddle. The Talking Tree asked the participants, “I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with wind. What am I?”
Gbonka guessed wrong. Pepe scratched his head. Susi made jokes. However, Ologbon whispered, “An echo.”
The tree smiled and opened the path to the Wisdom Rock.
The climb at this final stage was steep. Many gave up. Ologbon paved himself but never stopped. With each step, he remembered all the times he had been laughed at, ignored or forgotten. All of these past events motivated him to keep climbing.
By sunset, the animals gathered at the peak expecting to see Gbonka or Pepe. However, there stood Ologbon the Tortoise, beaming with pride.
Pa Elephant said, “Today, we have witnessed something remarkable. Ologbon did not just win the games. He showed us that experience, patience and sincerity are greater than noise and speed.”
The forest roared with applause and other participants bowed in respect at his achievement.
From that day on, Ologbon was no longer ignored. He became the royal advisor and helped to lead the forest with wisdom and kindness.
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