The Tortoise, the Dog, and the Farmer: Learning Not to Steal
The Tortoise, the Dog, and the Farmer: Learning Not to Steal
Once upon a time, in the animal kingdom of Nigeria, there lived many animals who shared the same land, forests, and villages. They lived together happily, helping one another and enjoying the gifts of nature. But one year, something very bad happened. There was a long dry season. The rain did not fall for many months. Rivers dried up, plants stopped growing, and farms became empty.
Because of this, a terrible famine came to the land. Food was very hard to find. The animals were hungry every day. They became thin, weak, and sick. Parents worried about their children, and everyone searched for food from morning until night.
Among all these animals lived a clever Tortoise. Tortoise was known for his slow walk and sharp mind. He loved food more than anything else. During the famine, Tortoise was always hungry. His stomach made loud noises, and his shell looked loose because he had lost weight.
One day, as Tortoise was walking sadly through the village, he noticed something strange. His good friend Dog looked healthy, strong, and well-fed. Dog’s cheeks were round, and his stomach was full. While other animals were suffering, Dog looked happy and active.
Tortoise became very curious.
“How can Dog look so fat and happy when all of us are starving?” Tortoise wondered.
So, Tortoise went to Dog and greeted him kindly.
“Good morning, my dear friend,” said Tortoise. “We have been friends for a very long time. Please tell me your secret. Look at you! Your cheeks are round, and your stomach is full. I am so hungry that I feel I may starve. Please help me.”
Dog smiled and replied calmly, “My friend, there is no secret at all. I work hard every day. That is why I have food.”
But Tortoise did not believe him. He thought Dog was hiding something.
“That answer is too simple,” Tortoise said to himself. “Dog must be getting food from somewhere special.”
The next morning, before the sun rose, Tortoise woke up early. He quietly hid behind a big tree near Dog’s house. Soon, Dog came out carrying a basket.
“Ah!” Tortoise whispered. “So this is the secret.”
Tortoise followed Dog quietly. He walked slowly, but he did not stop. They traveled to a nearby town. There, Dog entered a large farm filled with yams and sweet potatoes. Dog looked around to make sure no one was watching. Then he began to dig and fill his basket with food.
Tortoise was shocked.
“Oh no!” he thought. “Dog is stealing food from another animal’s farm!”
At that moment, Dog turned around and saw Tortoise.
“Tortoise! Why are you following me?” Dog asked in surprise.
Tortoise stepped out and said, “So this is how you stay fat during the famine. You lied to me!”
Dog felt ashamed. He lowered his head and said, “Yes, my friend. I was wrong. I should not take what does not belong to me.”
Instead of stopping Dog, Tortoise joined him. From that day on, Tortoise went to the farm every morning with Dog. But Tortoise was very greedy. While Dog took only a little, Tortoise filled his basket more and more each day.
“Slow down, Tortoise,” Dog warned him. “If you take too much, the farmer will notice.”
But Tortoise laughed and said, “Why worry? There is plenty here. I want more!”
One day, while they were on the farm, Dog became nervous.
“We must leave early today,” Dog said. “I feel something bad may happen.”
But Tortoise was busy digging yams.
“Just a little more,” Tortoise said. “Please wait for me.”
Dog shook his head. “I am leaving now,” he said. And Dog walked away.
Tortoise kept digging until his basket was very heavy. When he tried to lift it, he could not.
“Dog! Dog! Come back and help me!” Tortoise shouted.
But Dog was already gone.
Soon, the farmer came to his farm. He saw Tortoise with a basket full of stolen yams.
“You thief!” the farmer shouted.
The farmer took Tortoise to the king’s men. Tortoise was punished for stealing and lost his life because of his greed.
When Dog heard the news, he felt very sad.
“This is all wrong,” Dog said to himself. “I should never have stolen. My friend suffered because of greed, and I also did wrong.”
From that day on, Dog promised never to take anything that did not belong to him. He worked honestly and became known as a truthful and trusted animal.
This Nigerian folk tale teaches children important lessons. It shows that greed can lead to great trouble. It also teaches us that honesty, hard work, and respect for others’ property are always the right choices. Being greedy can make us lose everything, but being honest brings peace and respect.
THE END
Moral of the Story:
Do not be greedy. Do not take what does not belong to you. Honesty and hard work always bring good results.
Comprehension Questions and Answers for Kids
1. Where did the story take place?
Answer: The story took place in the animal kingdom of Nigeria.
2. What problem did the animals face in the story?
Answer: The animals faced a terrible famine because there was no rain and food was very hard to find.
3. Which two main animals are in the story?
Answer: The two main animals are the Tortoise and the Dog.
4. Why was Tortoise surprised when he saw Dog?
Answer: Tortoise was surprised because Dog looked healthy and well-fed while everyone else was hungry.
5. What did Dog say when Tortoise asked about his secret?
Answer: Dog said he stayed healthy because he worked hard.
6. Why did Tortoise follow Dog the next day?
Answer: Tortoise followed Dog because he did not believe him and wanted to know the real secret.
7. What bad thing did Dog do to get food?
Answer: Dog stole yams and sweet potatoes from another animal’s farm.
8. How did Tortoise behave when he started visiting the farm?
Answer: Tortoise became very greedy and took more food than he needed.
9. What warning did Dog give to Tortoise?
Answer: Dog warned Tortoise not to take too much food because the farmer might catch them.
10. Why did Dog leave Tortoise on the farm?
Answer: Dog left because Tortoise refused to stop collecting more yams and would not listen.
11. What happened when the farmer came to the farm?
Answer: The farmer caught Tortoise with a basket of stolen yams.
12. What punishment did Tortoise receive?
Answer: Tortoise was taken by the king’s men and punished for stealing.
13. How did Dog feel after Tortoise was caught?
Answer: Dog felt sad and guilty for stealing and for what happened to his friend.
14. What promise did Dog make at the end of the story?
Answer: Dog promised never to take anything that did not belong to him again.
15. What lesson did Tortoise learn from the story?
Answer: Tortoise learned that greed and stealing lead to trouble and punishment.
16. What lesson did Dog learn from the story?
Answer: Dog learned that honesty and hard work are better than stealing.
17. What is the moral of the story?
Answer: The moral of the story is to be honest, not greedy, and to respect other people’s property.
18. Is it good to take more than you need? Why or why not?
Answer: No, it is not good because it is greedy and can cause trouble.
19. What would you have done if you were Tortoise?
Answer: I would have stopped stealing and listened to Dog’s warning.
20. How can children use this lesson in real life?
Answer: Children can be honest, share with others, and never take things that do not belong to them.
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