Animal Activities #20

To anyone as well as @xkool24 who must have read African folklore, you will agree with me that the tortoise is often celebrated as the wisest of all animals: cunning, patient and full of tricks. Many stories have been told about how he used his intelligence to solve problems and escape trouble and I believe your grandparents like mine took you on that ride. But in this rare tale, the tables turned and Mr. Goat, usually known for being stubborn and scatter-brained, managed to outsmart the legendary Mr. Tortoise and he did it in the most unexpected way you will be surprise.
I will advise, you keep scrolling to find out why goat always chew both while eating and resting.

Story! story!!

Once upon a time in the land of animals, an event between Mr. Goat and Mr. Tortoise played out. It all began one dry season when Mr. Goat ran into financial trouble as his numerous children and wives were hungry and bleating so hard into his ears. At this point, he needed money urgently to buy some yams for his family and Mr. Tortoise, his long-time friend, is rich enough to borrow him some money for yam. Hence, goat approached Mr. Tortoise and he agreed to lend him the money.

Please, pay me back in two market days," Tortoise said.

"I will," Goat promised, wagging his tail.

Time flies and two market days passed, then three, then a full moon and Mr. Goat made no attempt to repay the debt and each time they met in the village square, Goat would pretend to be in a hurry or pretend not to see Tortoise. Eventually, Mr. Tortoise grew tired of waiting.

Source

It was on a sunny morning, Tortoise decided to take matters into his own hands as he set out on a long walk to Mr. Goat’s compound. Being slow by nature, it took him half the day to get there and upon approaching, Mr. Goat spotted him from afar.

Before the moment Mr. Tortoise had arrived, Mr. Goat had already eaten a large bowl of boiled cassava and palm oil. His belly was full and he was resting peacefully under the shade of a mango tree but the moment he saw Tortoise, a clever idea sparked in his mind similar to those of real debtors.

Without wasting time, Mr. Goat stood up, belched quietly and then forced some of the food in his stomach back into his mouth and this was a trick that only goats seem to know. He began chewing slowly and loudly, as if he had just been served fresh food.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Goat,” said Tortoise, standing politely at the entrance.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Tortoise. You’re welcome,” Goat replied with his mouth full, smacking his lips dramatically.

Tortoise didn’t waste time. “I came to collect the money you borrowed from me some time ago.”

Goat immediately frowned and gave him a look of surprise. “Eh? Mr. Tortoise! Is that how you were raised? Who asks a fellow for money while he’s eating? That’s very disrespectful!”

Tortoise was caught off guard. In the animal kingdom, it is considered bad manners to disturb someone during a meal, especially to talk about money.

“I’m sorry,” Tortoise said, bowing his head slightly.

“It’s fine,” Goat replied, still chewing. “Please, come back when I’m done eating because I don’t like to mix food with arguments.”

Tortoise apologized again and slowly turned around to go back home, planning to return another day to get him off guard but at this point, his smartness was outplayed as he was already in the game of deception.

Mr. Tortoise had played smart by coming very early in the morning and surprisingly he found Mr. Goat chewing.

And the next time again Goat was still eating.
And again.
And again.

Tortoise been Tortoise, it didn’t take long for him to realize the gameplay and that something strange was going on.

Since, then Mr. Goat had made it a point of duty to always retain a bit of food in his stomach and whenever he saw Tortoise approaching, he would regurgitate it and start chewing. He never let his mouth be empty, so Tortoise could never ask for his money.

Yesterday it was old yam and other times it was half-digested grass but one thing was sure and that is, Mr. Goat always had something in his mouth, just in case Tortoise came knocking.

Eventually, Tortoise gave up and realized that as long as Mr. Goat could pretend to be eating, he would never get his money back.

At some point the village elders heard the story and laughed and what they said was, “Ah, the hunter has become the hunted. For once, the tortoise has met his match.”

“When the stomach becomes a hiding place even the wisest tortoise may go home empty-handed.”

Or as the villagers now joke:

“Never lend money to a goat unless you’re ready to eat with him... forever!”

I invite on @ruthjoe @nsijoron @zulbahri to participate in the contest