Ijapa (Tortoise) and Erin (Elephant) Childrens

A long, long time ago, animals and people could talk to each other! They lived side by side, like neighbors. One very smart animal was Ijapa (the tortoise). He was small but very clever!

In the human kingdom, there was a good king called Ọba (the king). Everyone loved him. But far away in the animal kingdom, something strange happened: the animals chose a lion as their leader, not the big strong elephant named Erin.

Erin was furious! He stomped his big feet. “I am SO big and strong! Why didn’t they pick ME?” he grumbled. “I could crush anything with my feet and knock down trees with my trunk!”

🐘 BOOM! STOMP! CRACK! Erin was very, very proud.

Erin thought, “If I cause big trouble for the humans, everyone will see how powerful I am!” So when nobody was watching, he snuck into people’s farms. He trampled vegetables, squashed yams, and knocked down fences.

(CRUNCH! SNAP! THUMP!) The humans were very sad. Their crops were ruined, and they didn’t know who was doing it.

The Ọba (king) called his smartest helpers. “We must find the troublemaker!” But everyone was scared. One advisor whispered, “I saw a giant elephant… but I ran away because he was so BIG!”

The king called seven brave hunters. “Go capture that elephant!” The hunters looked at each other nervously. They knew Erin was too big and strong. “Um… we’ll try, Kabiyesi (Your Majesty),” they said. But a whole week passed, and Erin was still free!

The king was upset. “Why haven’t you caught him?” The hunters admitted, “He’s too huge for traps, arrows, or spears.”

So the king called everyone in the town to a big meeting. “Whoever catches the elephant will get wonderful gifts and treasure!” But nobody spoke. They were too afraid.

Then, Ijapa the tortoise stepped forward. He was small, but his brain was FULL of clever tricks. “Kabiyesi! I will find a way!” Everyone laughed. “A tortoise? What can HE do?”

But the king said, “Go ahead, Ijapa. But be careful — no empty promises!” Ijapa grinned. He already had a plan.

First, he asked the king for two things: sweet honey and black-eyed beans. “And please dig a deep, deep hole in the market square, then cover it with beautiful mats.”

The king was curious. “A hole? Why?” But he agreed!

Ijapa fried yummy bean balls called akara and soaked them in honey. (MMMMM – so sweet!) Then he went into the forest to find Erin the elephant.

When he saw Erin resting under a tree, Ijapa bowed very low. “Kabiyesi! Great King! The humans want YOU to be their ruler!” Erin’s eyes popped open. “Me? King of HUMANS?”

Ijapa tossed a honey-akara ball. Erin tasted it. “DELICIOUS!” He ate another and another. “Tell me more!”

“The old king has chosen you because you’re so big and strong!” Ijapa lied (but in a tricky way). “They’re making you a royal robe and a fancy hat. And they’ll give you akara every single day!”

Erin was dizzy with joy. “Me? A king? This is better than being king of the animals!” But then he stopped. “Wait… Ijapa, you’re tricky. Is this a trap?”

Ijapa quickly said, “Look at these beautiful clothes!” He showed Erin the shiny robe and hat. “The humans love you! They’ll throw a huge party!” Erin’s doubts melted away. 🎉

But some animal friends, like Inọki the gorilla, warned Erin. “Ijapa is tricking you! Humans would never let an elephant be king!” Erin got angry. “You’re just jealous! Look at my fancy clothes and my honey treats!”

The other animals shook their heads sadly. “Erin is too proud to listen.” Still, they decided to follow the parade and watch over him.

On coronation day, the whole town was decorated with flowers and palm leaves. Drummers played: DUM-DUM-DUM! Trumpets went TOOT-TOOT!

Erin put on his royal robe and the magnificent hat. He felt SO important! He puffed out his chest, flapped his ears, and walked with giant, proud steps.

Ijapa tossed even more honey-akara balls. Erin danced and swayed. “I am the greatest!” he boomed. The musicians played a special song:

People cheered, children danced, and ladies spread colorful cloths on the ground for Erin to walk on. “KABIYESI! LONG LIVE KING ERIN!” they shouted. Erin was in heaven. 🌈

But Ijapa got so excited that he whispered a secret rhyme: “Erin, tomorrow knives will cut, blood will flow, flies will buzz…” A little bird heard him and flew to Erin’s ear. “Ijapa is saying bad words!”

Erin froze. “What? Am I being tricked?” He was about to run away. But then Ijapa pointed and shouted, “Look! Lion Kiniun is watching you! All the animals are watching! Don’t let them think you’re a coward!”

Erin’s pride swelled again. “I will show that lion who is strongest!” He turned back toward the throne.

The crowd reached the market square. Right in the middle stood a gorgeous throne covered in shiny velvet and gold. Beautiful mats lay underneath. “Sit on your throne, great king!” Ijapa said with a bow.

Erin puffed his chest one last time. He raised his trunk high. “BEHOLD YOUR NEW KING!” He stepped proudly onto the mats…

WHOOOOSH — CRAAAASH! 🕳️💥 The mats collapsed! Underneath was a deep, deep hole that the king’s workers had dug. Erin fell inside with a thunderous BOOM! He was stuck — too big to climb out.

Suddenly the music stopped. The dancing stopped. The cheering turned into silence. Then, from every corner, the king’s hunters jumped out with spears and clubs. They had been hiding all along!

Erin finally understood. “Ijapa… you tricked me!” But it was too late. The brave humans had caught the elephant who ruined their farms.

The king stepped forward. “Ijapa, you are a genius! You saved our kingdom with honey and cleverness!” Everyone shouted, “HOORAY for Tortoise! 🐢✨”

The king gave Ijapa bags of gold, shiny jewels, and wonderful presents. Ijapa walked home happier than any tortoise in the world.

But the other animals were very sad. They liked Erin even though he was proud. They walked away quietly to remember their big, strong friend.

And the moral of the story? Pride can make you fall into a trap, but cleverness and kindness can save the day!