Why Dead People are Buried

In the creation land, the Creator tasked the dog to deliver a message ensuring the dead could revive if treated with ashes. Distracted by a bone, the dog failed, so the Creator sent a sheep instead. The sheep misremembered and told people to bury the dead. When the dog corrected this, no one believed him. Thus, burial became the norm, and the dog earned mistrust.

Source
Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
by Elphinstone Dayrell
Longmans, Green & Co.
London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, 1910

► Themes of the story

Origin of Things: The tale explains the origin of human burial customs.

Divine Intervention: The Creator directly influences human practices by sending messages through animals.

Cunning and Deception: The dog’s distraction by a bone leads to a deceptive outcome regarding burial practices.

► From the same Region or People

West Africa
- Nigerian Lore

Learn more about Nigerian peoples

In the beginning of the world when the Creator had made men and women and the animals, they all lived together in the creation land. The Creator was a big chief, past all men, and being very kind-hearted, was very sorry whenever any one died. So one day he sent for the dog, who was his head messenger, and told him to go out into the world and give his word to all people that for the future whenever any one died the body was to be placed in the compound, and wood ashes were to be thrown over it; that the dead body was to be left on the ground, and in twenty-four hours it would become alive again.

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When the dog had travelled for half a day he began to get tired; so as he was near an old woman’s house he looked in, and seeing a bone with some meat on it he made a meal off it, and then went to sleep, entirely forgetting the message which had been given him to deliver.

After a time, when the dog did not return, the Creator called for a sheep, and sent him out with the same message. But the sheep was a very foolish one, and being hungry, began eating the sweet grasses by the wayside. After a time, however, he remembered that he had a message to deliver, but forgot what it was exactly; so as he went about among the people he told them that the message the Creator had given him to tell the people, was that whenever any one died they should be buried underneath the ground.

A little time afterwards the dog remembered his message, so he ran into the town and told the people that they were to place wood ashes on the dead bodies and leave them in the compound, and that they would come to life again after twenty-four hours. But the people would not believe him, and said, “We have already received the word from the Creator by the sheep, that all dead bodies should be buried.” In consequence of this the dead bodies are now always buried, and the dog is much disliked and not trusted as a messenger, as if he had not found the bone in the old woman’s house and forgotten his message, the dead people might still be alive.

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The Affair of the Hippopotamus and the Tortoise; or, Why the Hippopotamus lives in the Water

Long ago, the hippo, Isantim, was a powerful king on land, second only to the elephant. Despite his prominence, only his seven wives knew his name. At a feast, Isantim challenged guests to guess his name, threatening to send them away hungry. Clever tortoise uncovered Isantim’s secret and revealed it at the next feast. Ashamed, Isantim and his family retreated to the water, where hippos dwell to this day.

Source
Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
by Elphinstone Dayrell
Longmans, Green & Co.
London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, 1910

► Themes of the story

Trickster: The tortoise uses cunning to outsmart the more powerful hippopotamus.

Cunning and Deception: The tortoise’s cleverness leads to the revelation of Isantim’s name.

Origin of Things: The story explains why hippos live in water.

► From the same Region or People

West Africa
- Nigerian Lore

Learn more about Nigerian peoples

Many years ago the hippopotamus, whose name was Isantim, was one of the biggest kings on the land; he was second only to the elephant. The hippo had seven large fat wives, of whom he was very fond. Now and then he used to give a big feast to the people, but a curious thing was that, although every one knew the hippo, no one, except his seven wives, knew his name.

At one of the feasts, just as the people were about to sit down, the hippo said, “You have come to feed at my table, but none of you know my name. If you cannot tell my name, you shall all of you go away without your dinner.”

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As they could not guess his name, they had to go away and leave all the good food and tombo behind them. But before they left, the tortoise stood up and asked the hippopotamus what he would do if he told him his name at the next feast? So the hippo replied that he would be so ashamed of himself, that he and his whole family would leave the land, and for the future would dwell in the water.

Now it was the custom for the hippo and his seven wives to go down every morning and evening to the river to wash and have a drink. Of this custom the tortoise was aware. The hippo used to walk first, and the seven wives followed. One day when they had gone down to the river to bathe, the tortoise made a small hole in the middle of the path, and then waited. When the hippo and his wives returned, two of the wives were some distance behind, so the tortoise came out from where he had been hiding, and half buried himself in the hole he had dug, leaving the greater part of his shell exposed. When the two hippo wives came along, the first one knocked her foot against the tortoise’s shell, and immediately called out to her husband, “Oh! Isantim, my husband, I have hurt my foot.” At this the tortoise was very glad, and went joyfully home, as he had found out the hippo’s name.

When the next feast was given by the hippo, he made the same condition about his name; so the tortoise got up and said, “You promise you will not kill me if I tell you your name?” and the hippo promised. The tortoise then shouted as loud as he was able, “Your name is Isantim,” at which a cheer went up from all the people, and then they sat down to their dinner.

When the feast was over, the hippo, with his seven wives, in accordance with his promise, went down to the river, and they have always lived in the water from that day till now; and although they come on shore to feed at night, you never find a hippo on the land in the daytime.

The Cock who caused a Fight between two Towns

Ekpo and Etim, wealthy half-brothers, fell into conflict due to the schemes of Ama Ukwa, a jealous troublemaker. After a misunderstanding involving Ekpo’s pet cock, Ama Ukwa manipulated the brothers into declaring war. A violent battle ensued, resulting in many deaths. Chiefs intervened, uncovering Ama Ukwa’s deceit. He was executed, and Ekpo was ordered to kill his cock. A new law banned keeping tame animals to prevent similar disputes.

Source
Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
by Elphinstone Dayrell
Longmans, Green & Co.
London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, 1910

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: Ama Ukwa’s deceitful manipulation leads to conflict between the brothers.

Family Dynamics: The story centers on the relationship and ensuing conflict between half-brothers Ekpo and Etim.

Moral Lessons: The narrative teaches the consequences of jealousy and deceit, highlighting the importance of honesty and communication.

► From the same Region or People

West Africa
- Nigerian Lore

Learn more about Nigerian peoples

Ekpo and Etim were half-brothers, that is to say they had the same mother, but different fathers. Their mother first of all had married a chief of Duke Town, when Ekpo was born; but after a time she got tired of him and went to Old Town, where she married Ejuqua and gave birth to Etim. Both of the boys grew up and became very rich. Ekpo had a cock, of which he was very fond, and every day when Ekpo sat down to meals the cock used to fly on to the table and feed also. Ama Ukwa, a native of Old Town, who was rather poor, was jealous of the two brothers, and made up his mind if possible to bring about a quarrel between them, although he pretended to be friends with both.

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One day Ekpo, the elder brother, gave a big dinner, to which Etim and many other people were invited. Ama Ukwa was also present. A very good dinner was laid for the guests, and plenty of palm wine was provided. When they had commenced to feed, the pet cock flew on to the table and began to feed off Etim’s plate. Etim then told one of his servants to seize the cock and tie him up in the house until after the feast. So the servant carried the cock to Etim’s house and tied him up for safety.

After much eating and drinking, Etim returned home late at night with his friend Ama Ukwa, and just before they went to bed, Ama Ukwa saw Ekpo’s cock tied up. So early in the morning he went to Ekpo’s house, who received him gladly.

About eight o’clock, when it was time for Ekpo to have his early morning meal, he noticed that his pet cock was missing. When he remarked upon its absence, Ama Ukwa told him that his brother had seized the cock the previous evening during the dinner, and was going to kill it, just to see what Ekpo would do. When Ekpo heard this, he was very vexed, and sent Ama Ukwa back to his brother to ask him to return the cock immediately. Instead of delivering the message as he had been instructed, Ama Ukwa told Etim that his elder brother was so angry with him for taking away his friend, the cock, that he would fight him, and had sent Ama Ukwa on purpose to declare war between the two towns.

Etim then told Ama Ukwa to return to Ekpo, and say he would be prepared for anything his brother could do. Ama Ukwa then advised Ekpo to call all his people in from their farms, as Etim would attack him, and on his return he advised Etim to do the same. He then arranged a day for the fight to take place between the two brothers and their people. Etim then marched his men to the other side of the creek, and waited for his brother; so Ama Ukwa went to Ekpo and told him that Etim had got all his people together and was waiting to fight. Ekpo then led his men against his brother, and there was a big battle, many men being killed on both sides. The fighting went on all day, until at last, towards evening, the other chiefs of Calabar met and determined to stop it; so they called the Egbo men together and sent them out with their drums, and eventually the fight stopped.

Three days later a big palaver was held, when each of the brothers was told to state his case. When they had done so, it was found that Ama Ukwa had caused the quarrel, and the chiefs ordered that he should be killed. His father, who was a rich man, offered to give the Egbos five thousand rods, five cows, and seven slaves to redeem his son, but they decided to refuse his offer.

The next day, after being severely flogged, he was left for twenty-four hours tied up to a tree, and the following day his head was cut off.

Ekpo was then ordered to kill his pet cock, so that it should not cause any further trouble between himself and his brother, and a law was passed that for the future no one should keep a pet cock or any other tame animal.

Why the Bush Cow and the Elephant are bad Friends

The bush cow and elephant, longstanding rivals, sought the head chief to settle their dispute over the elephant’s boasting. A fight was arranged for market-day but instead occurred on the road, disrupting the town. After learning of this, the chief fatally shot both animals, angered by their defiance. Since then, animals fight only in the forest, and the bush cow and elephant remain eternal enemies.

Source
Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
by Elphinstone Dayrell
Longmans, Green & Co.
London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, 1910

► Themes of the story

Conflict with Authority: The bush cow and elephant’s decision to fight despite the chief’s arrangements leads to their demise, highlighting the consequences of defying authority.

Good vs. Evil: The ongoing rivalry between the two animals represents the classic struggle between opposing forces.

Cunning and Deception: The animals’ decision to fight on the road instead of the designated place can be seen as an act of defiance and cunning.

► From the same Region or People

West Africa
- Nigerian Lore

Learn more about Nigerian peoples

The bush cow and the elephant were always bad friends, and as they could not settle their disputes between themselves, they agreed to let the chief decide. The cause of their unfriendliness was that the elephant was always boasting about his strength to all his friends, which made the bush cow ashamed of himself, as he was always a good fighter and feared nobody. When the matter was referred to the head chief, he decided that the best way to settle the dispute was for the elephant and bush cow to meet and fight one another in a large open space. He decided that the fight should take place in the market-place on the next market-day, when all the country people could witness the battle.

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When the market-day arrived, the bush cow went out in the early morning and took up his position some distance from the town on the main road to the market, and started bellowing and tearing up the ground. As the people passed he asked them whether they had seen anything of the “Big, Big one,” which was the name of the elephant.

A bush buck, who happened to be passing, replied, “I am only a small antelope, and am on my way to the market. How should I know anything of the movements of the ‘Big, Big one?'” The bush cow then allowed him to pass.

After a little time the bush cow heard the elephant trumpeting, and could hear him as he came nearer breaking down trees and trampling down the small bush.

When the elephant came near the bush cow, they both charged one another, and a tremendous fight commenced, in which a lot of damage was done to the surrounding farms, and many of the people were frightened to go to the market, and returned to their houses.

At last the monkey, who had been watching the fight from a distance whilst he was jumping from branch to branch high up in the trees, thought he would report what he had seen to the head chief. Although he forgot several times what it was he wanted to do, which is a little way monkeys have, he eventually reached the chief’s house, and jumped upon the roof, where he caught and ate a spider. He then climbed to the ground again, and commenced playing with a small stick. But he very soon got tired of this, and then, picking up a stone, he rubbed it backwards and forwards on the ground in an aimless sort of way, whilst looking in the opposite direction. This did not last long, and very soon he was busily engaged in a minute personal inspection.

His attention was then attracted by a large praying mantis, which had fluttered into the house, making much clatter with its wings. When it settled, it immediately assumed its usual prayerful attitude.

The monkey, after a careful stalk, seized the mantis, and having deliberately pulled the legs off one after the other, he ate the body, and sat down with his head on one side, looking very wise, but in reality thinking of nothing.

Just then the chief caught sight of him while he was scratching himself, and shouted out in a loud voice, “Ha, monkey, is that you? What do you want here?”

At the chief’s voice the monkey gave a jump, and started chattering like anything. After a time he replied very nervously: “Oh yes, of course! Yes, I came to see you.” Then he said to himself, “I wonder what on earth it was I came to tell the chief?” but it was no use, everything had gone out of his head.

Then the chief told the monkey he might take one of the ripe plantains hanging up in the verandah. The monkey did not want telling twice, as he was very fond of plantains. He soon tore off the skin, and holding the plantain in both hands, took bite after bite from the end of it, looking at it carefully after each bite.

Then the chief remarked that the elephant and the bush cow ought to have arrived by that time, as they were going to have a great fight. Directly the monkey heard this he remembered what it was he wanted to tell the chief; so, having swallowed the piece of plantain he had placed in the side of his cheek, he said: “Ah! that reminds me,” and then, after much chattering and making all sorts of funny grimaces, finally made the chief understand that the elephant and bush cow, instead of fighting where they had been told, were having it out in the bush on the main road leading to the market, and had thus stopped most of the people coming in.

When the chief heard this he was much incensed, and called for his bow and poisoned arrows, and went to the scene of the combat. He then shot both the elephant and the bush cow, and throwing his bow and arrows away, ran and hid himself in the bush. About six hours afterwards both the elephant and bush cow died in great pain.

Ever since, when wild animals want to fight between themselves, they always fight in the big bush and not on the public roads; but as the fight was never definitely decided between the elephant and the bush cow, whenever they meet one another in the forest, even to the present time, they always fight.

The Story of the Lightning and the Thunder

Long ago, Thunder and Lightning lived among people, with Thunder as an old sheep and Lightning her fiery ram son. Lightning’s destructive temper led to widespread harm despite Thunder’s rebukes. After complaints, the king first banished them to the bush, then to the sky. From there, Lightning still rages, and Thunder’s distant voice continues to scold him, explaining their celestial presence today.

Source
Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
by Elphinstone Dayrell
Longmans, Green & Co.
London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, 1910

► Themes of the story

Origin of Things: The tale provides an explanation for the natural phenomena of thunder and lightning.

Conflict with Nature: The people’s struggle against the destructive forces of Lightning reflects human challenges with natural elements.

Divine Punishment: Lightning’s banishment to the sky serves as retribution for his harmful actions.

► From the same Region or People

West Africa
- Nigerian Lore

Learn more about Nigerian peoples

In the olden days the thunder and lightning lived on the earth amongst all the other people, but the king made them live at the far end of the town, as far as possible from other people’s houses.

The thunder was an old mother sheep, and the lightning was her son, a ram. Whenever the ram got angry he used to go about and burn houses and knock down trees; he even did damage on the farms, and sometimes killed people. Whenever the lightning did these things, his mother used to call out to him in a very loud voice to stop and not to do any more damage.

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But the lightning did not care in the least for what his mother said, and when he was in a bad temper used to do a very large amount of damage. At last the people could not stand it any longer, and complained to the king.

So the king made a special order that the sheep (Thunder) and her son, the ram (Lightning), should leave the town and live in the far bush. This did not do much good, as when the ram got angry he still burnt the forest, and the flames sometimes spread to the farms and consumed them.

So the people complained again, and the king banished both the lightning and the thunder from the earth and made them live in the sky, where they could not cause so much destruction. Ever since, when the lightning is angry, he commits damage as before, but you can hear his mother, the thunder, rebuking him and telling him to stop. Sometimes, however, when the mother has gone away some distance from her naughty son, you can still see that he is angry and is doing damage, but his mother’s voice cannot be heard.

Why the Cat kills Rats

Ansa, King of Calabar for fifty years, valued his loyal cat as housekeeper and employed a rat as a house-boy. The rat, poor and lovestruck, stole from the king’s store to court a servant girl. When the theft was discovered, the king punished the girl, dismissed both the cat and rat, and left the cat to punish the rat. The cat killed and ate the rat, cementing their enmity forever.

Source
Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
by Elphinstone Dayrell
Longmans, Green & Co.
London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, 1910

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The rat’s theft from the king’s store to woo his love interest exemplifies deceitful behavior.

Conflict with Authority: The rat’s actions defy the king’s rules, resulting in repercussions from the monarch.

Family Dynamics: The rat’s attempt to provide for his love interest reflects themes of familial or romantic obligations.

► From the same Region or People

West Africa
- Nigerian Lore

Learn more about Nigerian peoples

Ansa was King of Calabar for fifty years. He had a very faithful cat as a housekeeper, and a rat was his house-boy. The king was an obstinate, headstrong man, but was very fond of the cat, who had been in his store for many years. The rat, who was very poor, fell in love with one of the king’s servant girls, but was unable to give her any presents, as he had no money.

At last he thought of the king’s store, so in the night-time, being quite small, he had little difficulty, having made a hole in the roof, in getting into the store. He then stole corn and native pears, and presented them to his sweetheart.

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At the end of the month, when the cat had to render her account of the things in the store to the king, it was found that a lot of corn and native pears were missing. The king was very angry at this, and asked the cat for an explanation. But the cat could not account for the loss, until one of her friends told her that the rat had been stealing the corn and giving it to the girl.

When the cat told the king, he called the girl before him and had her flogged. The rat he handed over to the cat to deal with, and dismissed them both from his service. The cat was so angry at this that she killed and ate the rat, and ever since that time whenever a cat sees a rat she kills and eats it.

Why the Flies Bother the Cows

Queen Adiaha Umo of Calabar, known for her lavish feasts, hosted domestic animals but excluded wild beasts out of fear. During one feast, the cow presided over the table but neglected to share food with the fly, dismissing its pleas. The fly complained to the queen, who decreed that flies could forever feed on cows’ eyes—a practice still observed today.

Source
Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
by Elphinstone Dayrell
Longmans, Green & Co.
London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, 1910

► Themes of the story

Origin of Things: The tale provides an explanation for the natural phenomenon of flies persistently bothering cows, particularly around their eyes.

Good vs. Evil: The narrative contrasts the neglectful behavior of the cow with the fly’s pursuit of justice, highlighting the struggle between fairness and wrongdoing.

Cunning and Deception: The fly’s persistence and appeal to the queen demonstrate cleverness in seeking redress for the cow’s neglect.

► From the same Region or People

West Africa
- Nigerian Lore

Learn more about Nigerian peoples

When Adiaha Umo was Queen of Calabar, being very rich and hospitable, she used to give big feasts to all the domestic animals, but never invited the wild beasts, as she was afraid of them. At one feast she gave there were three large tables, and she told the cow to sit at the head of the table, as she was the biggest animal present, and share out the food. The cow was quite ready to do this, and the first course was passed, which the cow shared out amongst the people, but forgot the fly, because he was so small. When the fly saw this, he called out to the cow to give him his share, but the cow said: “Be quiet, my friend, you must have patience.”

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When the second course arrived, the fly again called out to the cow, but the cow merely pointed to her eye, and told the fly to look there, and he would get food later.

At last all the dishes were finished, and the fly, having been given no food by the cow, went supperless to bed. The next day the fly complained to the queen, who decided that, as the cow had presided at the feast, and had not given the fly his share, but had pointed to her eye, for the future the fly could always get his food from the cow’s eyes wherever she went; and even at the present time, wherever the cows are, the flies can always be seen feeding off their eyes in accordance with the queen’s orders.

Why the Sun and the Moon live in the Sky

The story tells of the sun and water, once friends living on Earth. Water refused to visit the sun, claiming his vast people needed a large space. The sun built a huge compound, inviting water, who arrived with his people and gradually filled the space. Eventually, water overflowed, forcing the sun and moon to retreat to the sky, where they remain to this day.

Source
Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
by Elphinstone Dayrell
Longmans, Green & Co.
London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, 1910

► Themes of the story

Creation: The tale explains the origin of the Sun and Moon’s positions in the sky.

Origin of Things: It provides a narrative for a natural phenomenon: why the Sun and Moon reside in the sky.

Conflict with Nature: The Sun’s interaction with Water leads to an overwhelming flood, highlighting a struggle against natural forces.

► From the same Region or People

West Africa
- Nigerian Lore

Learn more about Nigerian peoples

Many years ago the sun and water were great friends, and both lived on the earth together. The sun very often used to visit the water, but the water never returned his visits. At last the sun asked the water why it was that he never came to see him in his house, the water replied that the sun’s house was not big enough, and that if he came with his people he would drive the sun out.

He then said, “If you wish me to visit you, you must build a very large compound; but I warn you that it will have to be a tremendous place, as my people are very numerous, and take up a lot of room.”

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The sun promised to build a very big compound, and soon afterwards he returned home to his wife, the moon, who greeted him with a broad smile when he opened the door. The sun told the moon what he had promised the water, and the next day commenced building a huge compound in which to entertain his friend.

When it was completed, he asked the water to come and visit him the next day.

When the water arrived, he called out to the sun, and asked him whether it would be safe for him to enter, and the sun answered, “Yes, come in, my friend.”

The water then began to flow in, accompanied by the fish and all the water animals.

Very soon the water was knee-deep, so he asked the sun if it was still safe, and the sun again said, “Yes,” so more water came in.

When the water was level with the top of a man’s head, the water said to the sun, “Do you want more of my people to come?” and the sun and moon both answered, “Yes,” not knowing any better, so the water flowed on, until the sun and moon had to perch themselves on the top of the roof.

Again the water addressed the sun, but receiving the same answer, and more of his people rushing in, the water very soon overflowed the top of the roof, and the sun and moon were forced to go up into the sky, where they have remained ever since.

Why a Hawk kills Chickens

A hawk marries a young hen after paying her dowry, but the hen later elopes with a cock. Angered, the hawk seeks justice from the king, who decrees the hen’s parents must repay the dowry. Unable to do so, the king permits the hawk to claim chickens as repayment. This tale explains the hawk’s predation on chickens, rooted in a dispute over marriage customs and loyalty.

Source
Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
by Elphinstone Dayrell
Longmans, Green & Co.
London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, 1910

► Themes of the story

Good vs. Evil: The hawk’s sense of betrayal by the hen and the cock contrasts with the perceived wrongdoing, highlighting moral conflicts.

Revenge and Justice: The hawk seeks retribution for the hen’s elopement, leading to a decree that allows him to prey on chickens as compensation.

Family Dynamics: The hen’s actions and the involvement of her parents in the dowry repayment underscore familial relationships and obligations.

► From the same Region or People

West Africa
- Nigerian Lore

Learn more about Nigerian peoples

In the olden days there was a very fine young hen who lived with her parents in the bush.

One day a hawk was hovering round, about eleven o’clock in the morning, as was his custom, making large circles in the air and scarcely moving his wings. His keen eyes were wide open, taking in everything (for nothing moving ever escapes the eyes of a hawk, no matter how small it may be or how high up in the air the hawk may be circling). This hawk saw the pretty hen picking up some corn near her father’s house.

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He therefore closed his wings slightly, and in a second of time was close to the ground; then spreading his wings out to check his flight, he alighted close to the hen and perched himself on the fence, as a hawk does not like to walk on the ground if he can help it.

He then greeted the young hen with his most enticing whistle, and offered to marry her. She agreed, so the hawk spoke to the parents, and paid the agreed amount of dowry, which consisted mostly of corn, and the next day took the young hen off to his home.

Shortly after this a young cock who lived near the hen’s former home found out where she was living, and having been in love with her for some months–in fact, ever since his spurs had grown–determined to try and make her return to her own country. He therefore went at dawn, and, having flapped his wings once or twice, crowed in his best voice to the young hen. When she heard the sweet voice of the cock she could not resist his invitation, so she went out to him, and they walked off together to her parent’s house, the young cock strutting in front crowing at intervals.

The hawk, who was hovering high up in the sky, quite out of sight of any ordinary eye, saw what had happened, and was very angry. He made up his mind at once that he would obtain justice from the king, and flew off to Calabar, where he told the whole story, and asked for immediate redress. So the king sent for the parents of the hen, and told them they must repay to the hawk the amount of dowry they had received from him on the marriage of their daughter, according to the native custom; but the hen’s parents said that they were so poor that they could not possibly afford to pay. So the king told the hawk that he could kill and eat any of the cock’s children whenever and wherever he found them as payment of his dowry, and, if the cock made any complaint, the king would not listen to him.

From that time until now, whenever a hawk sees a chicken he swoops down and carries it off in part-payment of his dowry.

The Elephant and the Tortoise; or, Why the Worms are Blind and Why the Elephant has Small Eyes

This African folktale explains why elephants have small eyes and worms are blind. King Ambo of Calabar held feasts where a greedy elephant always ate the most. A cunning tortoise deceived the elephant into trading his large eyes for food, leaving him blind. A humble worm lent the elephant his tiny eyes, but the elephant kept them permanently, leaving worms sightless ever since.

Source
Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria
by Elphinstone Dayrell
Longmans, Green & Co.
London, New York, Bombay, Calcutta, 1910

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The tortoise employs cleverness to deceive the elephant, exploiting the latter’s greed to achieve his goal.

Moral Lessons: The story imparts a lesson on the consequences of greed and gullibility, demonstrating how the elephant’s excessive desire leads to his downfall.

Origin of Things: The tale provides an explanation for natural phenomena, specifically why elephants have small eyes and worms are blind.

► From the same Region or People

West Africa
- Nigerian Lore

Learn more about Nigerian peoples

When Ambo was king of Calabar, the elephant was not only a very big animal, but he had eyes in proportion to his immense bulk. In those days men and animals were friends, and all mixed together quite freely.

At regular intervals King Ambo used to give a feast, and the elephant used to eat more than any one, although the hippopotamus used to do his best; however, not being as big as the elephant, although he was very fat, he was left a long way behind.

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As the elephant ate so much at these feasts, the tortoise, who was small but very cunning, made up his mind to put a stop to the elephant eating more than a fair share of the food provided. He therefore placed some dry kernels and shrimps, of which the elephant was very fond, in his bag, and went to the elephant’s house to make an afternoon call.

When the tortoise arrived the elephant told him to sit down, so he made himself comfortable, and, having shut one eye, took one palm kernel and a shrimp out of his bag, and commenced to eat them with much relish.

When the elephant saw the tortoise eating, he said, as he was always hungry himself, “You seem to have some good food there; what are you eating?”

The tortoise replied that the food was “sweet too much,” but was rather painful to him, as he was eating one of his own eyeballs; and he lifted up his head, showing one eye closed.

The elephant then said, “If the food is so good, take out one of my eyes and give me the same food.”

The tortoise, who was waiting for this, knowing how greedy the elephant was, had brought a sharp knife with him for that very purpose, and said to the elephant, “I cannot reach your eye, as you are so big.”

The elephant then took the tortoise up in his trunk and lifted him up. As soon as he came near the elephant’s eye, with one quick scoop of the sharp knife he had the elephant’s right eye out. The elephant trumpeted with pain; but the tortoise gave him some of the dried kernels and shrimps, and they so pleased the elephant’s palate that he soon forgot the pain.

Very soon the elephant said, “That food is so sweet, I must have some more”; but the tortoise told him that before he could have any the other eye must come out. To this the elephant agreed; so the tortoise quickly got his knife to work, and very soon the elephant’s left eye was on the ground, thus leaving the elephant quite blind. The tortoise then slid down the elephant’s trunk on to the ground and hid himself. The elephant then began to make a great noise, and started pulling trees down and doing much damage, calling out for the tortoise; but of course he never answered, and the elephant could not find him.

The next morning, when the elephant heard the people passing, he asked them what the time was, and the bush buck, who was nearest, shouted out, “The sun is now up, and I am going to market to get some yams and fresh leaves for my food.”

Then the elephant perceived that the tortoise had deceived him, and began to ask all the passers-by to lend him a pair of eyes, as he could not see, but every one refused, as they wanted their eyes themselves. At last the worm grovelled past, and seeing the big elephant, greeted him in his humble way. He was much surprised when the king of the forest returned his salutation, and very much flattered also.

The elephant said, “Look here, worm, I have mislaid my eyes. Will you lend me yours for a few days? I will return them next market-day.”

The worm was so flattered at being noticed by the elephant that he gladly consented, and took his eyes out–which, as every one knows, were very small–and gave them to the elephant. When the elephant had put the worm’s eyes into his own large eye-sockets, the flesh immediately closed round them so tightly that when the market-day arrived it was impossible for the elephant to get them out again to return to the worm; and although the worm repeatedly made applications to the elephant to return his eyes, the elephant always pretended not to hear, and sometimes used to say in a very loud voice, “If there are any worms about, they had better get out of my way, as they are so small I cannot see them, and if I tread on them they will be squashed into a nasty mess.” Ever since then the worms have been blind, and for the same reason elephants have such small eyes, quite out of proportion to the size of their huge bodies.