The Tale of the Wise Tortoise and the Greedy Leopard

In the heart of the African savannah, under the golden sun and beside the tall, whispering trees, there lived many animals. They all had their own roles in the great circle of life, from the mighty lion to the clever monkey. But amongst them all, there was one animal that stood out because of his wisdom, the tortoise.

The tortoise, named Mfalme, was known for his calm and thoughtful nature. While the other animals hurried through their days, Mfalme would slowly wander, taking his time to think, listen, and observe. The other animals often came to him for advice, and no matter the problem, Mfalme always had a solution. However, not all the animals were as kind-hearted or wise. Among them was a proud and greedy leopard named Duma. Duma had everything a leopard could wish for: strength, speed, and an abundance of food. Yet, no matter how much he had, he was never satisfied. He always wanted more.

One day, Duma came up with a plan. “I have the fastest paws in the land,” he boasted to himself, “and I will prove that I am the greatest animal in the savannah. I will challenge Mfalme to a race!” The other animals were shocked. “A race?” they whispered. “But Mfalme is so slow, and Duma is so fast. How can he possibly win?” Duma overheard them and grinned. “You’ll see,” he said. “It’ll be no contest. I’ll leave him in the dust!” Word of the challenge spread quickly through the savannah, and soon, all the animals gathered to watch. They gathered near the edge of a great baobab tree, where Mfalme and Duma were to begin their race.

Mfalme arrived with his usual calm, looking around as he settled into place at the starting line. Duma, on the other hand, paced back and forth, his muscles rippling as he stretched his limbs. The animals cheered in excitement, knowing that Duma’s speed was unmatched. As the race was about to begin, Mfalme spoke up in his slow, measured voice. “I may be slow, Duma, but I do not race for victory. I race for the journey.”

Duma laughed at this, his laughter echoing through the trees. “Journey? My friend, there is no journey for me. I will win, and I will win quickly!” The race began with a loud shout, and Duma shot forward like a streak of lightning, his powerful legs propelling him far ahead of Mfalme, who took one deliberate step at a time. The animals watched in awe as Duma swiftly disappeared from sight. But Mfalme didn’t rush. He moved steadily, his eyes focused not on the finish line, but on the earth beneath him. His mind wandered through the stories of the ancestors, the way the wind moved through the grass, and the sounds of the birds high above. He was content in his journey.

After a while, Duma, confident in his victory, began to grow tired. He had pushed himself so fast that he had no energy left. Not wanting to admit that he needed a break, he decided to lie down under a tree and take a nap. “The race will still be mine,” he thought. “I have plenty of time.” Meanwhile, Mfalme continued at his steady pace, never stopping, never hurrying. Hours passed, and Duma remained asleep under the shade of the tree, dreaming of his victory. But the tortoise, slow and steady, made his way steadily toward the finish line.

As Mfalme neared the finish line, the animals began to murmur, wondering if he could possibly win. Just then, Duma awoke, his eyes wide with surprise. He looked around and saw that Mfalme was almost there! “No!” Duma shouted, leaping to his feet and sprinting toward the finish line. But it was too late. Just as he reached the baobab tree, Mfalme crossed the finish line, his shell gleaming under the sun. The animals cheered, and Duma stood still, panting, exhausted, and humbled. He had lost, and it was not because he wasn’t fast, but because he had been too arrogant and greedy. He had underestimated the tortoise’s steady persistence and wisdom.

Mfalme turned to Duma with a gentle smile. “You have strength, Duma, but strength alone is not enough to win. It is the journey, the patience, and the wisdom to know when to rest and when to act that truly matter.” Duma hung his head low, his pride wounded. “I was so focused on being the fastest and the strongest,” he admitted, “that I forgot to respect the journey and the effort required.” The wise tortoise nodded. “Strength and speed are important, but so is balance. It is not always the one who rushes ahead who wins the race, but the one who stays steady, even when the road is long.”

From that day on, Duma became more thoughtful. He learned to pace himself, to respect the wisdom of those who took their time, and to understand that victory is not always about being the quickest or the strongest, but about the journey one takes along the way. And so, the animals of the savannah learned an important lesson that day: that wisdom, patience, and perseverance are more valuable than speed and strength. And even the smallest creature, like Mfalme the tortoise, could teach the greatest lessons in life. As the sun set over the savannah, casting long shadows on the ground, the animals went home, each reflecting on the race and the wisdom that Mfalme had shared with them.

And Mfalme, true to his nature, slowly walked back to his home under the stars, content with the knowledge that he had, apart fro the race, also won the hearts of the animals around him.