A Leopard entrusted her children to a Tortoise while hunting. The Tortoise deceived her, feeding her children to an Eagle with whom he made a pact. When all the children were gone, the Leopard discovered the betrayal and pursued the Tortoise, who sought the Eagle’s help. Ultimately abandoned by the Eagle, the Tortoise was caught and killed, teaching the animals to fear harming a Leopard’s offspring.
Source
Among Congo Cannibals
by John H. Weeks
Seeley, Service & Co.,London, 1913
► Themes of the story
Good vs. Evil: The narrative highlights the moral conflict between the Leopard’s trust and the deceitful actions of the Tortoise and Eagle.
Cunning and Deception: The Tortoise employs deceit to mislead the Leopard and collaborate with the Eagle.
Divine Punishment: The Tortoise’s ultimate fate can be seen as a form of retribution for his transgressions.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about Bantu peoples
A Leopard had three young children, and she asked the Tortoise to take care of them while she was away hunting. “Very well,” said the Tortoise, “I will nurse them for you.” So the Leopard went hunting, and after a time she returned with some meat which she wished to give to her children.
“No, no, do not open the door,” whispered the Tortoise, “your children are asleep. Throw the meat in at the window.” The meat was passed through the window, and the Leopard went off hunting again.
► Continue reading…
While the Leopard was gone the second time, an Eagle came to the Tortoise and said: “Friend Tortoise, let us make blood-brotherhood.”
The Tortoise agreed, and the friendship was properly made. After a short time the Eagle asked the Tortoise for one of the children to eat, and one was taken, and they ate it between them.
By and by the Leopard returned again from the hunt with some more meat; but the Tortoise pretended that the children were asleep; so the meat was again put through the window, and off went the Leopard to hunt in the forest.
The Eagle then came and begged for another child, and receiving it he went and ate it on a high tree.
When the Leopard returned next time, she insisted on seeing the children, but the Tortoise said: “You stop there and I will show them to you at the window.”
The Tortoise then took up the only child left, and holding it at the window he said, “That is one.” He put it down and held it up again, and said, “That is two.” Then he showed it again at the window for the third time, and said, “That is three.” The Leopard, thereupon, went away satisfied.
The Eagle came again and asked for the “other child to eat.”
“What shall I do,” asked the Tortoise, “when the Leopard returns and finds all her children are gone?”
“Oh, I will take care of you,” said the Eagle reassuringly; “I will fly with you to a high tree.”The last child was given and eaten, and then the Eagle took the Tortoise to the branch of a very high tree.
Shortly after the Eagle had carried off the Tortoise the Leopard returned, and finding all her children gone she wept very loudly for some time; then looking about her she saw the Tortoise on the top of a tree.
The Leopard gnawed at the tree, and just as it was going to fall the Tortoise called out to his friend, the Eagle, to help him. The Eagle carried him to another tree. The Leopard gnawed that one; so the Eagle removed the Tortoise to another high tree; but the Leopard gnawed that also.
The Tortoise called for his friend, the Eagle; but the Eagle replied: “I am tired of helping you, take care of yourself,” and off he flew, leaving his friend in the lurch, and never returned again. The tree fell, and the Leopard killed the Tortoise. That is why the bush animals are afraid to hurt the Leopard’s children.
Running and expanding this site requires resources: from maintaining our digital platform to sourcing and curating new content. With your help, we can grow our collection, improve accessibility, and bring these incredible narratives to an even wider audience. Your sponsorship enables us to keep the world’s stories alive and thriving. ♦ Visit our Support page
Dreamtime Whispers 